Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society
a local chapter of the Division 39 of the American Psychological Association
presents a
Saturday Morning Seminar
with
Garriy Shteynberg, PhD,
on
The Psychology
of Shared Attention
and AI
Saturday, September 5, 2026
8:30am - 12:10pm
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Morrison Education and Conference Center
1924 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
Description of Program
This introductory presentation will cover recent work in social cognitive psychology on the topic of shared attention and its influence on memory, motivation, affect, and behavior. Dr. Shteynberg will cover the conceptual bases of shared attention and its empirical testing, evidence, and practical implications. He will also discuss the implications for human-AI interactions, focusing on the nature of human “relationships” with AI chatbots.
Presenter
Garriy Shteynberg, PhD, earned a PhD in Psychology from the University of Maryland in 2009. He is a social psychologist by training, who is currently a Professor of Marketing at the Haslam School of Business at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Shteynberg studies how shared attention shapes the way people think, choose, and trust - individually and collectively. His work sits at the intersection of behavioral science, social psychology, and organizational behavior, examining the psychological mechanisms behind group perception, consumer decision-making, and the emerging dynamics of human-AI interaction. Before joining the marketing faculty at Haslam, Shteynberg spent more than a decade as a professor of psychology and neuroscience at UT Knoxville. His publication record includes publications in the Psychological Review, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Perspectives on Psychological Science.
Schedule
8:30am Registration.
8:55am Welcome and Introduction.
9:00am The Psychology of Shared Attention.
10:30am Break.
10:40am Shared Attention in AI Interactions.
12:10pm Complete Evaluations and Adjourn.
Learning Objectives
After attending this introductory-level program in full, participants will be able to:
1. Explain how and why shared attention impacts human psychology.
2. Discuss how shared attention findings can be used to understand AI, specifically the human-AI “relationships” increasingly being used as a form of therapy.
3. Assess and critique the gap between shared attention theory and evidence.
Participants
This program is open to all APS members and other interested mental health professionals who may not be members. It is not limited to individuals practicing in a predominately psychoanalytic mode. The material will be appropriate for clinicians with introductory levels of experience and knowledge.
Registration Fees and Policies
BY August 31, 2026:
Professional Members and Scholar Members: $45
Non-members: $60
Early-Career Professional Members: $35
Graduate Student Members: Free.
AFTER August 31, 2026:
Professional Members and Scholar Members: $60
Non-members: $75
Early-Career Professional Members: $50.
Graduate Student Members: Free
Registration will close on September 4, 2026.
Although walk-ins will be accepted, please register online at www.aps-tn.wildapricot.org in advance to assure adequate food and seating.
If you prefer to pay by check, please print the Program Registration form, and mail with your payment to:
Marisa Whitley, PhD
APS Treasurer
100 Forest Court
Knoxville, TN 37919.
Refunds honored with written/electronic notice at least 48 hours before date of program. Contact Marisa Whitley, PhD.
Contact the APS President Jenna Gilmore, PhD to negotiate fees, if needed.
Facility is accessible to persons who are physically challenged. If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address requests, questions, concerns and any complaints to Jenna Gilmore, PhD.
APS Membership
Eligible professionals can join APS or renew their membership for the 2026-2027 program year for $120. Scholars can join/renew for $80 and Early-Career Professionals can join/renew for $65. Graduate students may join or renew for $25.
American Psychological Association Approval Statement
Division 39 is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Division 39 maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Continuing Education
This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 3 continuing education credits. With full attendance (sign-in at start of program) and completion of a program Evaluation and Learning Assessment, a certificate will be issued. Psychologists will have their participation registered through Division 39. Partial credit is not available for partial attendance.
APS and Division 39 are committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. APS and Division 39 are also committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in continuing education activities. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Selected References
Shteynberg, G., Bramlett, J. M., Fles, E. H., & Cameron, J. (2016). The broadcast of shared attention and its impact on political persuasion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 665-673.
Haj-Mohamadi, P., Fles, E. H., & Shteynberg, G. (2018). When can sharing attention increase affiliation? On the bonding effects of co-experienced belief affirmation. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 75, 103-106
Wohltjen, S., & Wheatley, T. (2021). Eye contact marks the rise and fall of shared attention in conversation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(37), e2106645118.
Davidesco, I., Laurent, E., Valk, H., West, T., Milne, C., Poeppel, D., & Dikker, S. (2023). The temporal dynamics of brain-to-brain synchrony between students and teachers predict learning outcomes. Psychological Science, 34(5), 633-643
Koefler, N., Naidu, E., Gabriel, S., Schneider, V., Pascuzzi, G. S., & Paravati, E. (2026). Let the music play: Live music fosters collective effervescence and leads to lasting positive outcomes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 52(3), 546-558.
Contact
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address requests, questions, concerns and any complaints to the APS President Jenna Gilmore, PhD.
There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between Division 39, APS, presenters, program content, research, grants or other funding sources that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest. During the program, the validity/utility of the content and risks/limitations of the approaches discussed will be addressed.