The Department of Psychological Sciences & Health are delighted to announce their upcoming seminar series for Autumn 2023, beginning on October 11th.
October 11, 1-2PM
Dr Robin Ireland
Sport, Sponsorship and Public Health
Abstract: Dr Ireland will be examining the development of sport sponsorship and its impact on global public health. His recently published book (Sport, Sponsorship and Public Health) argues that sports governing bodies should not continue to treat fans solely as consumers, and that a more ethical approach should be taken to sport sponsorship. Drawing on research from sport studies, marketing and public health, the presentation will provide a brief history of advertising and marketing in sport, including the importance of tobacco in the development of sport sponsorship, before exploring key aspects of the contemporary relationship between sport and corporate sponsors, including mega-events, digital technologies and brand engagement. It will offer an in-depth case study of sponsorship in the English Premier League – one of the world’s most successful sporting properties – before considering how sport might be better regulated, now and in the future, to better protect the interests of fans and other stakeholders from a health perspective.
October 18, 1-2PM
Dr Thuy-vy Nguyen, Durham University
Investigating solitude as tool for downregulation of daily arousal using Ecological Momentary Assessments
Abstract: For this research I looked at emotional arousal as the mechanism that explains solitude-seeking, building on the premise that solitude helps down-regulating high-arousal states. I hypothesized that solitude becomes more desirable when such states are heightened. To investigate this, I used the ExpiWell app to track individuals' hourly experiences from 8AM to 10PM for a day. I assessed their high-arousal positive (e.g., excitement) and negative emotions (e.g., tension), whether they were alone or with others, and their preferred state at the time of the signal. We gathered 4338 surveys from 362 participants, with 103 participants completing all hourly surveys. Results revealed that people’s preference for and incidence of solitude varied throughout the day. Contrary to our hypotheses, lagged analyses did not indicate affective states predicting reports of being alone an hour later. However, individuals were more likely to prefer solitude during experiencing high-arousal negative emotions, and less so for positive emotions. Extraversion and neuroticism did not moderate these patterns. I will discuss how these findings are connected to existing literature and implications for future research.
October 25, 1-2PM
Dr Lee Curley, The Open University
An empirical investigation into the utility of the not proven verdict.
Abstract: The current Scottish verdict system includes three verdicts: ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’ and ‘not proven’. The Scottish Government are currently reviewing the utility of the not proven verdict. Proponents of the not proven verdict suggest that it directs jurors to their true role of determining whether the prosecution's case has, or has not, been ‘proven’. Reformists suggest a move to a system similar to England and Wales, with only guilty and not guilty verdicts. However, legal professionals have indicated a preference for an alternative system of proven and not proven. The aim of the current study was to test the effects of a proven and not proven system on verdicts given, when compared to alternative verdict systems (specifically, the current Scottish and Anglo-American verdict systems). 227 mock jurors watched a staged murder trial, filmed in a real-life courtroom, (53 minutes long) with legal professionals questioning witnesses and a judge giving legal direction. Jurors were significantly more likely to convict in a guilty and not guilty verdict system than either a proven and not proven or a guilty, not guilty and not proven verdict system. Future research should replicate this study with a focus on the impact of the not proven verdict in sexual offences.
November 1, 1-2PM, Face to face, GH 515
Sommer Agnew, University of Strathclyde, PhD student
Exploring the influence of side effects on medication adherene in breast cancer patients
Abstract: Approximately 70% of breast cancer cases are treatable with endocrine therapy, which is prescribed for 5-10 years after treatment, to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality. However, many patients struggle to adhere to this medication and do not complete the course of treatment, increasing their risk of breast cancer recurrence. This study explores the side effects of this medication in a large sample of breast cancer patients, and how these side effects may influence the likelihood of not taking their medication.
November 1, 1-2PM, Face to face, GH 515
Chloe Moore, University of Strathclyde, PhD student
A qualitative investigation into the role of illness perceptions in endometriosis-related quality of life
Abstract: Endometriosis is related to adverse quality of life (QoL) and wellbeing outcomes. The way in which endometriosis is perceived by individuals experiencing the condition has not been directly considered, yet illness perceptions (IPs) are predictors of QoL in several chronic conditions. The current study aimed to gain an understanding of the IPs held by individuals experiencing endometriosis and their impact on QoL.
November 8, 3-4PM
Dr Lewis Peacock, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Protecting information in working memory
Abstract: Protecting information in working memory from interference is essential to goal-directed behaviour. Protection comes from the prioritization of goal-relevant information and the removal of outdated information. In this talk, I will present recent data from my lab on the cognitive and neural basis of prioritization and removal. I will show that prioritization provides a “bend but don’t break” policy in working memory by allowing small distortions while preventing catastrophic loss. Then I will show how unwanted information can be deliberately removed from working memory in different ways but with varying degrees of success.
November 22, 1-2PM, Face to face, GH 515
International work placement: a series of short presentations on their experiences
Abstract: In this presentation you will hear a series of short talks about the international work placement from students.
Zoom meeting details will be provided via e-mail. Please e-mail Aliyah.rehman@strath.ac.uk if you would like to attend any of these talks.
Face to face talks on the 1st and 22nd of November, take place in Graham Hills building, room 515, 40 George Street.