BPS Welsh Branch Annual Student Conference 2019
Programme
Aberystwyth University Saturday 4 May 2019 Useful information
Registration opens at 10:00. Registration will take place in the Penbryn building, Medrus main.
Information and help will be available from student volunteers who will be wearing purple t-shirts throughout the day.
Directions to the venue The address for the conference venue is:
Aberystwyth University Penglais Campus Penglais Aberystwyth SY23 3FL
Driving yourself If you are driving to Aberystwyth and using a Sat Nav use this postcode to navigate to the main entrance of the Penglais campus: SY23 3BY
If arriving by car or other motor vehicle a parking permit will be needed. For parking permits please email the Conference team at Aberystwyth University directly on [email protected]
If arriving by train or bus Aberystwyth Railway Station is situated in the town centre, adjacent to the Bus Station and Taxi Rank.
From Aberystwyth Bus Station a number of bus services regularly travel to Penglais Campus. For information about travelling by bus to other university sites and alternative bus routes please visit the Travel by Bus page.
On foot the walk to Penglais Campus from the train station takes approximately 20 minutes.
(See map on inside back cover)
2 Contents
4 Message from Josh Payne and Emily Karim, Co-Chair of the Welsh Branch of the British Psychological Society 6 Keynote Lecture, Dr Martin Graff 7 Timetable 8 Oral Presentations - Session 1 9 Oral Presentations - Session 2 10 Oral Presentations - Session 3 11 Lunch and posters 14 Oral Presentations - Session 4 15 Oral Presentations - Session 5 16 Oral Presentations - Session 6 17 Presentation Abstracts (By Surname) 59 Poster abstracts (By Surname)
3 Message from Josh Payne and Emily Karim Co-Chairs of the Welsh Branch of the British Psychological Society
It gives us great pleasure to welcome you all to the 2019 British Psychological Society Welsh Branch Annual Student Conference at Aberystwyth University. Students from universities across Wales have gathered for over 40 years at a conference like this, and just as many who have gone before you, today you will have the opportunity to present your research to peers and academics alike. Welsh university undergraduate and postgraduate students producing high quality and innovative research has been a long-standing tradition at the Annual Student Conference, and now, as can be seen from this year’s programme of oral and poster presentations, this tradition continues. You should be very proud of your role and contribution in this.
For many of you, today may be the first time you have been involved in a Welsh Branch event. That in itself is something to celebrate as any involvement is beneficial for both you and for us. At the end of your degree, you can join the BPS as a graduate member, where those of you who remain in Wales automatically become members of the Welsh Branch (and for those who move to other parts of the UK, there will be a Branch that represents the area you move to). BPS Branches provide support and opportunities for members at a local level, so please feel free to talk to any Branch committee members today about what the Branch can do for you and how to get involved.
4 Today, you should take opportunities to engage with fellow students and academics from other universities. After all, we are all here first and foremost because of our passion for Psychology. Take time to talk to others, tell them about your research, learn about theirs, and share your experiences. Empathise with others, knowing that you have all been going through the same processes over the past months. For most of you, many hours of work along with moments of stress and worry have undoubtedly been experienced during your research journey, and now to top it off, you are here today, on a Saturday, using up more of your time and effort to present your work. So, on behalf of everyone from the Welsh Branch, we would like to say a heart-felt thank you for getting involved. We know the additional efforts that you have put in to making today happen, and so we will do all we can to make it an enjoyable and beneficial experience.
Enjoy your day, support each other, and we look forward to speaking with you all throughout the day.
5 Keynote Lecture 15:00
Social Media, Smartphones and Sex
Dr Martin Graff
More and more people now meet through dating apps, although it is possible that relationships that start this way will differ to relationships that are initiated face-to-face. Furthermore, social media allows people to keep in close contact with relationship partners and even engage in partner surveillance behaviour arousing jealousy and suspicion. Additionally, social media has a function in validating romantic relationships and allowing people to communicate romantic love in ways not possible before. This talk will explain how smartphones and social media have changed the way in which people conduct their romantic relationships, and present data outlining the types of people more likely to conduct their relationships in this way.
6 Saturday 04 May 2019
10.00 Registration and refreshments Medrus main
10.30 Welcome and introduction Joshua Payne and Emily Karim Co-Chairs of The British Psychological Society Welsh Branch Medrus main
Oral Presentations 11.00 Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Medrus 1 Medrus 3 Medrus 4
12.00 Lunch and posters presentations (alphabetical order) Medrus main
Oral Presentations 13.30 Session 4 Session 5 Session 6 Medrus 1 Medrus 3 Medrus 4
14.30 Coffee break Medrus main
15.00 Keynote Social Media, Smartphones and Sex Dr Martin Graff University of South Wales Medrus main
15.45 Closing remarks and prize giving Medrus main
7 Oral Presentations Session 1 11:00 Room: Medrus 1
11.00 Collaboration in extended requests and their fulfilment in speech and language therapy telemedicine consultations David Dalley Aberystwyth University
11.15 The impact of suicide prevention media campaigns on perceptions of suicidality Jasmin Morgan University of Wales Trinity Saint David
11.30 Exploring the impact of ‘Singing for the BrainTM’ groups for those with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers Rhiannon Peters and Leah Richards Swansea University
11.45 Effects of one mindfulness meditation session on stress using biological and psychological measures Dinko Kasumovic Wrexham Glyndŵr University
8 Session 2 11:00 Room: Medrus 3
11.00 Exploring Female Perceptions of Cosmetic Surgery and Self Image Holly Megan Jones Aberystwyth University
11.15 The effect of relationships on self-rated measures of health Harry Barnes Aberystwyth University
11.30 Female students experiences of casual sex at university Amy Hannaby Aberystwyth University
11.45 The Role of Maladaptive Schemas and Adult Attachment in Dating Preferences Huseyin Mert Turhan Swansea University
9 Session 3 11:00 Room: Medrus 4
11.00 How do images in the media influence females' attitudes towards their appearance, and body esteem? Mollie Dale Aberystwyth University
11.15 The Application of Evolutionary Psychology on Patriarchal Influenced Health Behaviours Shân Saunders Aberystwyth University
11.30 Examining the relationship between paranormal belief and personality traits Kieran Green Wrexham Glyndŵr University
11.45 Adverse personality traits as predictors of rejection sensitivity to romantic rejection Rune Murphy Aberystwyth University
10 Poster Presentations
12.00 Lunch and posters presentations (alphabetical order by surname) Medrus main
Informational Affordances: Automatic activation of actions that reveal object identity information Jevgenia Barsutsenco Swansea University
Prioritising Reproductively Relevant Traits: Sex Differences and Similarities in an Australian Sample Jesse Blackburn Swansea University
Humour and Laughter can enhance Immune Functioning: A Meta-analysis Vanessa Bohlinger Aberystwyth University
REM Sleep and Dream Reports in Frequent Cannabis versus Non-Cannabis Users Rebecca Borcsok, Ceri Bradshaw and Michelle Carr Swansea University
Do student recreational drug users self-deception affect their self-perception and well-being? Courtney Davies Aberystwyth University
Exploring the Environmental Influences of Swansea University Campuses on Student Wellbeing Bronwen Yu Dawson Swansea University
11 Street fighting: A party-over-policy effect on the support for sexual harassment prevention Eleanor Heath and Yasmin Ford Swansea University
Exploring Coping Styles and Gender Differences in the Psychological Impacts of Living with a Skin Condition: Responses from a Web-Based Questionnaire Olivia Hughes University of Wales Trinity Saint David
A qualitative discussion into people's perceptions of gender within middle-grade and young adult literature Annabel Lees Aberystwyth University
Relationship preferences- Implications for mental and sexual health Elliot Norris and Andrew Thomas Swansea University
How poetry influences people's attitudes towards others in terms of empathy Angelika Pastuszko Aberystwyth University
Time perception after a nap: impact of sleep inertia Hannah Rees Swansea University
‘I wanna be that body type’: Making sense of males’ experiences of using Instagram Lauraine Roberts Aberystwyth University
Effects of emotional arousal stimuli in episodic-laboratory and semantic memory retrieval in healthy older adults: an fMRI investigation Elena Stylianopoulou Swansea University 12
Individual Differences in how Online Behaviours are Interpreted Shonagh White Swansea University
13 Oral Presentations Session 4 13:30 Room: Medrus 1
13.30 Exploring Personality Traits that are Vulnerable to Increased State Aggression During Engagement with a Violent Video Game Amy Hannah Curtis University of Wales Trinity Saint David
13.45 Adoptive Parents Experiences of their Child’s Transition from Primary Education to Secondary Education Crystal Webster Aberystwyth University
14.00 Preschoolers’ eating opportunities outside of the home and beyond parental control: A mixed methods design Ioanna Papadaki Swansea University
14 Session 5 13:30 Room: Medrus 3
13.30 Humour Styles and Preferences in Comparison to Non- Heterosexual Relationships Matt Mason Aberystwyth University
13.45 Understanding the impact of the 2016 EU referendum on European working citizens who live in Wales. A qualitative study exploring personal experiences of working within the Education sector Tabatha Dubovicki Ferriera, Abhiyan Malhota, Sultana Bibi, Mark Allen Davies, Bernice Edogiawerie, Marlene Roderick, & Sharon Richards University of Wales Trinity Saint David
14.00 Exploring the Impact of the 2016 referendum on self-reported experiences of stigma, prejudice and discrimination of European citizens residing in Wales Tabatha Dubovicki Ferriera, Abhiyan Malhota, Sultana Bibi, Mark Allen Davies, Bernice Edogiawerie, Marlene Roderick, & Sharon Richards University of Wales Trinity Saint David
15 Session 6 13:30 Room: Medrus 4
13.30 A Mixed Method Analysis of Dessert Restaurants Tennesee Randall and Laura Wilkinson Swansea University
13.45 The relationship between humility and religiosity. A study among Christians Adrianna Wyszynska Wrexham Glyndŵr University
14.00 Obsessive Compulsive Traits and Reinforcement Rate on Non- Eliminable Operant Extinction of Avoidance E. Jack Erasmus and Simon Dymond Swansea University
16 Presentation abstracts (By Surname)
The effect of relationships on self-rated measures of health
Harry Barnes Aberystwyth University
Objectives To explore whether variations in self-reported measures of health were present between different relationship statuses.
Design Relationship status (no relationship, sexual (i.e. hook-ups / friends with benefits) romantic not cohabiting and romantic cohabiting) was entered as the between subjects factor and self-reported health (autonomy, locus of control, physical health, mental health) as the within subjects factor.
Background Self-rated measures of health have grown in validity in recent times, largely as a result of the dissemination of information. Moreover, these measurements are widely utilised when considering various models of health and as such, the influences on these measurements should be understood in order to ensure the best health care possible.
Methods Participants were recruited through the department and social media outlets. 108 participants (84 female, 22 male, 1 other, 1 prefer not to say) over the age of 18 (mean age;27, SD; 13.29) took part. Questionnaires utilised were placed online (JISC online surveys) and included the exercise self-regulation questionnaire (modified to assess motivation in regard to general health behaviour), the multidimensional health locus of control, and the 36-item short form survey (measuring self-reported mental and physical health).
17 Results There was a statistically significant difference between mental health scores of those in sexual relationships and those cohabiting with a romantic partner, t(54)=3.686,p=0.001. All other results were non- significant.
Conclusions Overall, the mental health of those cohabiting with romantic partners was significantly better than those in non-committal sexual relationships. As suggested in the literature this appears to stem from social support available within relationships. However, the study is limited as it did not evaluate the quality of relationships, something that may alter support levels provided from a romantic partner. Finally, results suggest the mental health of university students should be discussed in order to provide and augment support mechanisms.
Project Supervisor Rachel Rahman
18 Exploring Personality Traits that are Vulnerable to Increased State Aggression During Engagement with a Violent Video Game
Amy Hannah Curtis University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the ability of agreeableness, conscientiousness and trait aggression to predict vulnerabilities to state aggression when engaging with a violent video game.
Design This study implemented a two part multi- factorial research design on an undergraduate student population.
Background 50% of the UK's population engage with violent video games, however, not all players are vulnerable to the increased aggression that research has indicated violent video games cause. Research has suggested that this vulnerability to aggression can be caused by particular personality traits such as high levels of psychoticism and trait aggression. There is substantial research that suggests that high psychoticism and trait aggression is linked to low conscientiousness and agreeableness. Therefore, investigating the ability of agreeableness, conscientiousness and trait aggression to predict vulnerabilities to state aggression when engaging with a violent video game may enable prediction of personalities at high risk of becoming aggressive when engaging with a violent video game.
Methods Participants were and opportunity sample recruited using the Experimental Management System provided by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In part one, participants levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness were measured online using the Big Five Inventory. Trait aggression was also measured online in part one using Buss-Perry’s Aggression Questionnaire. During part two, levels of state aggression were assessed through the
19 measurement of electrodermal activity whilst participants played a violent video game.
Results Results suggested that there were no significant effects of any of the independent variables on state aggression when engaging with a violent video game. Results also suggested that those who score high on measures of trait aggression tend to score lower on measures of conscientiousness and also agreeableness.
Conclusions Although this study did not find any effects of the traits explored, previous findings were somewhat supported in that low levels of both conscientiousness and agreeableness did predict high levels of trait aggression. Previous research has found that high levels of trait aggression predicts high levels of state aggression when playing violent video games, and this suggests that the current study has some methodological flaws which are further discussed.
Project Supervisor Stacey Coleman
20 How do images in the media influence females' attitudes towards their appearance, and body esteem?
Mollie Dale Aberystwyth University
Objectives This study examined whether, over a short time-frame and under experimental conditions, the introduction of health warning labels of supermodels, shown in female magazines (e.g., Cosmopolitan), improved self-reported body esteem in female participants.
Design The design was a 3 (Condition Group: Health Warning, No health warning, Random advertisements) x2 (Test Time: Pre-test Time 1, Post-test Time 2) mixed design. Test Time was entered as the within- subject factor with two levels, and Condition Group was entered as the between-subject factor with three levels. The dependent variable was participant’s pre and post-test body esteem scores.
Background In response to high numbers of clinically underweight women, in 2017 the French Government passed a law to include health warnings on edited images of supermodels in advertising. Little research has examined the success of the law so far, which is why the current study focuses on the use of health warnings specifically.
Methods This study used an online survey created using Bristol Online Survey software. A sample of 161 females were voluntarily recruited through social media websites, and Aberystwyth university software SONA. Participants were informed that the study would take place over two time periods within in a week. Participants completed an online questionnaire using questions from the Social Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, and Contingencies of Self-Worth scale. Before the post-test, participants saw various media images. Condition 1 saw images of females with health warnings, condition 2 saw images of females, and condition 3 saw non-human advertisements. Throughout the project, the researcher understood and adhered to the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct. 21
Results Results were non-significant, implying that in this sample, health warnings had no significant impact on body esteem scores.
Conclusions This sample only examined impacts of short-term media exposure, and so results may not fully mimic results of studies investigating longer-term exposure effects.
Project Supervisor Dr Gareth Hall
22 Collaboration in extended requests and their fulfilment in speech and language therapy telemedicine consultations
David Dalley Aberystwyth University
Objectives To consider how health-care professionals and patients manage interaction in speech and language therapy telemedicine consultations
Design The following study was conducted with a Macmillan telemedicine speech language therapy service that linked a specialist speech and language consultant to patients at 5 different general hospitals located in rural locations across mid Wales. Telemedicine consultations were recorded using two cameras capturing audio visual data. The data was analysed using conversation analysis.
Background Interaction between patients and healthcare professionals has been consistently highlighted with previous research on face-to-face consultations demonstrating that interaction can impact on patients’ understanding of medical information. This is relevant in speech language therapy, where conversation may already be challenging, and differing methods of communication maybe required. The introduction of telemedicine into health-care provider-patient interaction adds an additional dynamic in which these interactions occur.
Methods Data consisted of 16 naturally occurring consultations. Patients were invited to take part in the research through the NHS based on them being part of an existing telehealth service for speech language therapy. The inclusion criteria included that participants were aged 18 or over, were English Speaking and undergoing speech language therapy for head and neck cancer. Exclusion criteria included if participants were under the age of 18 or lacked cognitive capacity to consent to the research 23
Results The analysis demonstrates that within telemedicine speech language therapy consultations, extended requests are a means of achieving medical tasks during physical examinations. From the analysis, distinct features of request sequences and their design, as well as their accompanying embodied actions, have been identified in facilitating the achievement of medical tasks.
Conclusions This study shows how extended requests allow for the achievement of medical tasks and that the general speech language therapist plays an integral role in facilitating the fulfilment of extended requests, compensating for the interactional restrictions which arise due to the telemedicine videoconferencing equipment
Project Supervisor Dr Rachel Rahman & Dr Antonia Ivaldine Robson
24 Obsessive Compulsive Traits and Reinforcement Rate on Non-Eliminable Operant Extinction of Avoidance
E. Jack Erasmus and Simon Dymond Swansea University
Objectives The current study aims to examine whether reinforcement rate influences resistance to extinction, when controlling for OC trait severity.
Design Using an experimental design, three independent groups of participants will be exposed to differing rates of reinforcement for learnt avoidant behaviour in preventing electric shocks (33%, 66%, 100%). Validated and reliable measures of OCD symptom severity will be administered to measure OC trait severity.
Background Little human experimental research has examined the mechanisms which differentiate adaptive and maladaptive avoidance. Indeed, compulsive avoidant behaviour in obsessive-compulsive disorder has been argued to be associated with deficiencies in impulse control and behavioural inhibition, despite negative consequences. Whereas reinforcement rate of behaviour has been found to influence how resistant it is to extinction, the influence of obsessive-compulsive (OC) traits have not been previously controlled for.
Methods A convenience sample of student participants will be recruited through Swansea university. G*Power analysis recommended a target of 100 participants. Each participant will be randomly allocated to one of three groups. Each group will be exposed to differing reinforcement rates. During the threat conditioning phase, participants learn to associate one conditioned stimulus with mild electric shocks (CS+) and another with no shocks (CS-). During the avoidance learning phase, participants will be able to withhold shocks by using an avoidant behaviour (pressing spacebar). The rate in which the avoidant behaviour withholds shocks after each CS+ trial will differ between 25 groups. The final extinction phase will see participants receive shocks after avoidance responses made in the presence of CS+ only (non- avoidance is not followed by shock).
Results Using an ANCOVA, the effect reinforcement rate has on resistance to extinction, when controlling for OC traits will be examined. Real world implications, such as possible linear relationships OC traits have with resistance to extinction will also be explored.
Conclusions Conclusions drawn from results after data collection.
Project Supervisor Professor Simon Dymond
26 Exploring the impact of the 2016 referendum on self- reported experiences of stigma, prejudice and discrimination of European citizens residing in Wales
Tabatha Dubovicki Ferreira, Abhiyaan Malhotra, Sultana Bibi, Mark Allen Davies, Bernice Edogiawerie, Marlene Roderick, & Sharon Richards University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Objectives To explore if the EU referendum has had an impact on everyday experiences whilst living in Wales, to discover if the target population have experienced any prejudice, discrimination and or/stigma as a direct result of the 2016 EU referendum.
Design The current study implements an online quantitative experimental design in order to reach a wider population of non-European citizen's living across Wales. The study attempts to gain insight on whether the Brexit vote has impacted their everyday lives and resulted in higher levels of prejudice, discrimination and/or stigma.
Background Current research in this area have suggested that prejudice and discrimination has played a substantial role in the 2016 referendum vote. The current study is interested in adding to the existing literature and explore whether non-British EU citizens have experienced for themselves acts of prejudice, discrimination and/or stigma as a direct result of the referendum vote.
Methods Roughly 300 participants are expected to take part and they will be recruited via Qualtrics online which will be distributed through social media platforms. Inclusion criteria: participants that are 18 and above, non-British EU citizens by birth and currently live in Wales and participants would need a good understanding of the English language. Exclusion criteria: anyone under 18, not a European citizen and are British by birth.
27 Results The study is currently at the data collection stage, therefore results remain pending. Anticipated results may suggest that non-Europeans experienced changes in their daily living experiences and reported higher levels of prejudice and discrimination.
Conclusions No conclusions can be drawn at the present due to pending results. However, it is predicted that non-European citizens living in Wales are expected to report increased levels of prejudice and discrimination since the referendum.
Project Supervisor Dr Ceri Phelps & Dr Paul B Hutchings
28 Understanding the impact of the 2016 EU referendum on European working citizens who live in Wales. A qualitative study exploring personal experiences of working within the education sector
Tabatha Dubovicki Ferriera, Abhiyan Malhota, Sultana Bibi, Mark Allen Davies, Bernice Edogiawerie, Marlene Roderick, & Sharon Richards University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Objectives To explore and understand personal experiences reported by non- British EU professionals in the Education Sector, living and working in Swansea pre and post the 2016 referendum, and scrutinising the impacts on their lived experiences and its effects on the
Design The study employs individual face to face semi-structured interviews in order to explore the lived experiences of non-British EU professionals in the education sector. The study attempts to obtain in depth personal experiences of the impacts the referendum had on their working lifestyle and personal life.
Background There is no substantial evidence regarding whether Brexit has affected education professionals, either in a positive or negative aspect. As this is a gap in research, we as researchers are interested to add to existing literature and to find out more about the experiences of teachers relating to the 2016 referendum.
Methods Around 6 to 8 participants to be recruited to undergo a face to face semi-structured interview to be recruited via a further link on the online Qualtrics questionnaire (quantitative phase of the study). Inclusion criteria: 18 or above. non-British EU citizen by birth, working and living in Swansea, to understand the English language and targeting those working or training in the education sector. Exclusion criteria: anyone under 18, not a European citizen and are British by birth.
29
Results The study is currently at the data collection stage, therefore results remain pending. Anticipated results may suggest that non- British EU education sector professionals have experienced more prejudice and discrimination since the referendum.
Conclusions No conclusions can be drawn at the present due to pending results. However, it is predicted that non-European citizens living in Swansea may have experienced increased levels of prejudice and discrimination since the referendum in relation to work and social life.
Project Supervisor Dr Ceri Phelps, & Dr Paul B Hutchin
30 Examining the relationship between paranormal belief and personality traits
Kieran Green Wrexham Glyndŵr University
Objectives To examine the relationship between paranormal belief and personality traits
Design This study utilises a correlational design to examine the relationships between trait personality factors and belief in the paranormal.
Background Research investigating the relationship between paranormal belief and a variety of personality measures has been growing over recent times. However, it is still unclear which elements of personality are related to belief in the paranormal. Much of this research has been centred on type theories of personality and has often rejected trait based personality constructs, such as the big five. Sparse research that has incorporated personality traits has often found relationships between paranormal belief and traits such as neuroticism and agreeableness. This research paper aims to investigate the relationship between paranormal belief and the big five personality traits. It is hypothesised that belief in the paranormal phenomena will be strongly related to traits of neuroticism and agreeableness.
Methods Adult participants were recruited through social media (Facebook) to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire incorporated the Revised Paranormal-Belief scale and the Big Five Personality inventory, as well as demographic questions.
Results Data collection is ongoing but we expect that paranormal beliefs will be positively correlated with measures of neuroticism and agreeableness. We make no predictions about relationships between extraversion, conscientiousness or openness.
31 Conclusions The study aims to conclude which personality traits are most likely to hold some relationship with belief in paranormal phenomena. This may inform our understanding of how belief in the paranormal develops and in whom we might expect it to manifest.
Project Supervisor Joshua Payne
32 Female students experiences of casual sex at university
Amy Hannaby Aberystwyth University
Objectives This study was conducted to find out female students experiences of casual sex at university
Design This study looked at females students expereinces of casual sex at university through 1:1 semi-structured interviews with 9 female undergraduate students
Background Casual sex encounters are without a doubt a progressively normative heterosexual behaviour on today's university campuses. This phenomenon has been investigated widely by researchers. Generally, results are suggestive that this behaviour is indicative of immorality, sexual exploitation and risk taking behaviours with reproductions on both the physical and mental wellbeing of today's young women. Women are undoubtedly villainized more than their male counterparts for engaging in casual sex. This study sought to interview female students experiences of casual sex at university to understand their reasons for having casual sex and to address gaps in the literature.
Methods Participants were volunteered for the study and applied via SONA (the university's study system) to take part in the study, the participants were briefed with the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the study on SONA. A total of 9 participants took part in the study. participants were audio-recorded, and interviews lasted anywhere from 17 minutes to 70 minutes. Semi structured interviews were selected as appropriate as most literature on this topic was done using quantitive analysis and it was felt that in order for the students to fully disclose their thoughts, experiences and beliefs on this topic, qualitative analysis was thourough and best suited to this topic scope.
33 Results Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Three main themes were identified: Challenging social scripts, Girl culture, unspoken rules. Within these themes were two sub themes for each.
Conclusions The study concludes that although women are challenging double standards, women are still aware of this stigma that is attached to women having casual sex, which in turn forces them to modify their behaviour to fit what is socially acceptable. The importance of 'girl culture' in this context is paramount, as there appears to be in-group bonding over this and the use of femininity as a tool. Within the university setting, there appears to be a set of unspoken rules that surround casual sex such as: the levels of intimacy and the safety aspect of this engagement
Project Supervisor Dr Alison Mackiewicz
34 Effects of one mindfulness meditation session on stress using biological and psychological measures
Dinko Kasumovic Wrexham Glyndŵr University
Objectives The research aim is examining effectiveness of a 10 minute mindfulness meditation on perceived stress. It is hypothesised that PSS scores, heart rate, and blood pressure levels will be lower after the meditation compared to before.
Design To examine immediate effects of mindfulness meditation, the study uses a repeated measures, within-subjects design to examine immediate before and after differences in measurements.
Background Mindfulness meditation is an effective method of reducing stress, anxiety and depression symptoms. Most research focuses on the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) and their role in clinical settings. Although the effects of MBIs and long-term mindfulness meditation practices have been studied extensively, there is a lack of studies focusing on the effectiveness of one session on non-clinical participants in day-to-day settings.
Methods The study aims for 20 participants, all students recruited from Glyndwr University, by spreading the information sheet throughout the university as well as presenting at the student conference. The materials are: finger pulse oximeter (heart rate), iHealth app and cuff (blood pressure), and the Perceived Stress Scale (levels of perceived stress). A paired sample t-test will be used to compare the measurements before and after the mindfulness meditation.
Results Anticipated results are lower PSS scores, decreased heart rate and blood pressure at Time 2 compared to Time 1.
35 Conclusions This study will contribute to current knowledge regarding mindfulness meditation and its effectiveness on stress, showing the effects of one session compared to a long-term programme. This can show that mindfulness is a useful tool for stress reduction for students, without the need of being in a clinical setting enrolled in a MBI programme. Some limitations are a small sample size and the possible unreliability of biological measures, since heart rate and blood pressure can be influenced by various factors unrelated to the study.
Project Supervisor Dr Libby Gaskell, Joshua Payne
36 Humour styles and preferences in comparison to non- heterosexual relationships
Matt Mason Aberystwyth University
Objectives Aim to investiagte whether Non-Heterosexuals look for the same humour styles as those in Heterosexual Relationships
Design The design of this study will be a correlational design, looking at the relationship between Relationship Type (Homosexual or Heterosexual), and Humour Styles (Affiliative Humour, Self-Enhancing Humour, Aggressive Humour and Self-Defeating Humour). Each group will be tested on the 4 dimensions of humour styles, using the Humour Styles Questionnaire (HSQ; Puhlik-Doris & Martin, 2003) to measure scores. I will be comparing the two groups (Heterosexuals and Homosexuals) on the four Humour Scales. The study will also record the factors of Sex (Male and Female) and Relationship Type (Heterosexual and Homosexual), and will be followed up with a one way ANOVA to study the variation of the data.
Background The paper was inspired by Bressler et al. (2006), who studied ideal relationship partners, in terms of humour preference and humour production. Should the evolutionary approach of the Sexual Selection Theory be supported, we could expect to find the males look for a partner who laughs at their jokes (humour appreciation), while females prefer partners that make them laugh (humour production). This study investigates how these dynamics work in Non-Hetero pairings. There is a gap in the literature for a lot of LGBT+ research that this study aims to close.
Methods Participants were recruited using the SONA system at Aberystwyth University, using SONA points as incentives. All participants were 18 years-old or over and people of all sexes, genders, and sexual 37 orientations were allowed to take part. Participants were given two online questionnaires. Firstly, they completed the Puhlik-Doris and Martin (2003) Humour Styles Questionnaire to assess 4 dimensions of humour (Affiliative, Self-Enhancing, Aggressive, and Self Defeating). Following this, they then completed the scenarios described by Bressler et al. (2006). Results were then calculated using a one-way ANOVA to determine if sexuality had a significant effect on humour styles. Furthermore, analysis on the effect that sexual orientation has on their ideal partners humour style, were also computed.
Results After analysing the data, there were some significant results found in relation to humour styles and sexual orientation. It appears that sexual orientation may have some influence on which dimension of humour is most prevalent. Data is still being analysed but it is also expected that sexual orientation will have an influence on their ideal partner's humour preference but more analysis is needed to be done for the exact nature of this relationship.
Project Supervisor Dr. Gil Greengross
38 Exploring female perceptions of cosmetic surgery and self image
Holly Megan Jones Aberystwyth University
Objectives The study aimed to explore how females view their own body and self image after surgical or non-surgical cosmetic surgery. The research question was simply ‘How do females perceive cosmetic surgery and their self image?’
Design A qualitative study using Thematic Analysis (TA) (Braun & Clarke, 2006; 2012) on semi-structured interviews with female participants over the age of 18, who have had elective surgical or non-surgical cosmetic surgery that was not in a response to a serious pre-existing medical / psychological condition or severe injury.
Background Through the decades, western society seems to have placed more importance and emphasis on external appearances (Alexias, Dilaki & Tsekeris, 2012; Gimlin, 2000; Sarwer & Crerand, 2004). As a result, cosmetic surgery seems to have become the norm (Morgan, 2009). Researchers have proposed the increase of cosmetic surgery is due to low risk procedures, an increase of mass media attention surrounding cosmetic surgery as well as the readiness of individuals to undergo surgery to enhance their own appearance (Sarwer & Crerand, 2004). Females, in particular are socialised from an early age to be concerned with the way they look and are under pressure to maintain the ‘ideal’ beautiful appearance (Clarke, Repta & Griffin, 2007). Media seems to display unrealistic ideals for women (Paquette & Raine, 2004) and then be the first to negatively judge when women have cosmetic surgery to look likes these ideals. For the majority of social commentators, such as the media, cosmetic surgery is the ‘ultimate symbol of invasion of the human body for the sake of physical beauty’ (Gimlin, 2000). Many judge cosmetic surgery negatively and see it as extreme and dangerous, thereby leaving little room for individuals to explain their rationale (Gimlin, 2000). Many blame the industry for deceiving females into thinking they ‘need’ 39 cosmetic surgery (Morgan, 2009). Brooks (2004) states it is ‘aesthetic conformity’ and that cosmetic surgery promotes the erosion of differences between female bodies. There appears to be a gap in the literature in this field, whilst research has supplied an insight on negative body image and negative opinions surrounding cosmetic surgery it appears to under represent positive body image and the positive aspect of cosmetic surgery (Wood-Barcalow et al, 2010). This research aims to explore the personal female viewpoint surrounding cosmetic surgery, question whether the individual feels empowered as a result and establish whether it has been a liberating experience or not (Clarke, Repta & Griffin, 2007).
Methods Participants were opportunistically recruited through social media, word of mouth or through the SONA system. 8 participants were interviewed providing five hours of data. Materials Included: 1x Audio Recording Device 2x Chairs 1x Participant Information Form 2x Consent forms 1x Withdrawal Form 1x Debrief sheet 1x Interview Schedule Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data to produce rich meaning data. Thematic analysis was carried out on all eight transcripts; all six specific phases outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006;2012) were completed on each data set.
Results The interviews are currently being transcribed to be thematically analysed.
40 The impact of suicide prevention media campaigns on perceptions of suicidality
Jasmin Morgan University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the impact of suicide prevention campaign on students’ perceptions of suicidality.
Design Ethical considerations were a key part of the initial stages of this research due to the topic area and to ensure adherence to the Universities and the BPS’s guidelines. The participants (n=55) were students at the School of Psychology, UWTSD Swansea. They were presented with the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS) and the Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS), then asked to complete a word search, watch the campaign video and then answer the two questionnaires again.
Background The literature examined suggests that student display stigmatised attitudes towards suicidality, leading to the hypothesis that suicide prevention campaigns can be effective in achieving positive change to the stigmatised attitudes of students towards suicidality.
Methods The exclusion criteria was stated as; Please be aware that this study is based around the topic of suicide. This study will include possibly offensive and upsetting terms and statements within the questionnaires. There will also be a public campaign video clip that could be upsetting. Please do not take part if this information is upsetting and please feel free to withdraw from this study at any time. If the participant has close experience of suicide, they will be advised not to take part. The participants were presented with the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS) and the Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS), then asked to complete a word search, watch the campaign video and then answer the two questionnaires again.
41 Results The results of this study are currently being analysed. The aim of the results is to enable the identification of the areas that need to be targeted by psychoeducation to reduce the levels of stigma in the community and that public suicide prevention campaigns have on perceptions of suicidality.
Conclusions The aim of the results is to enable the identification of the areas that need to be targeted by psychoeducation to reduce the levels of stigma in the community and that public suicide prevention campaigns have on perceptions of suicidality. The implications of this study are to provide guidelines of areas that need to be targeted by suicide prevention charities and to improve perceptions in communities. The limitations are mainly based on the participant group as they are not representative of the general population.
Project Supervisor Judith Marshall
42 Adverse personality traits as predictors of rejection sensitivity to romantic rejection
Rune Murphy Aberystwyth University
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of three adverse personality traits on the rejection sensitivity scores found following a scenario depicting a romantic rejection. It was hypothesised that these traits would have a higher predictive va
Design A 2x6 between subjects design was used to eliminate order effects, with participants in each condition completing a preliminary personality trait questionnaire including narcissism, aggression, and self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1979), the rejection scenario before the rejection sensitivity
Methods 125 British participants were recruited using volunteer and snowball sampling, and randomly assigned to one of the six conditions. The scores of each questionnaire were analysed using a 2x6 mixed factorial ANOVA, appropriate T-tests, correlation and regression analysis.
Results The results of this study found higher scores for rejection sensitivity in the platonic rejection conditions than in the romantic rejection conditions contrary to the hypothesis. It was also found that self- esteem scores had significant correlations for the platonic, r(1) = .707, p = 0.000 and romantic rejection r(1) = .69, p = 0.000 conditions. Significantly high regression values were also found for the platonic rejection with a variance of 71% and an adjusted R2 of 50% explained; F(1,23) = 17.975, P = 0.000, and the romantic rejection with a variance of 69% and an adjusted R2 of 48% explained; F(1,20) = 19.038, P = 0.000.
43 Conclusions Based on these results, it can be concluded that self-esteem is highly predictive of rejection sensitivity in both romantic and platonic rejection scenarios. However, the data from this study is gender biased and does not account for individual differences. Despite this, it provides a point of investigation in future research and possible interventions.
44 Preschoolers’ eating opportunities outside of the home and beyond parental control: A mixed methods design
Ioanna Papadaki Swansea University
Objectives This study aims to explore these eating opportunities, including children’s responses to these food offers, the types of foods made available and parents’ control over these circumstances.
Design A mixed methods design is employed. The qualitative data create a meaning across parents’ narratives, whereas the quantitative data provide information about the sample’s characteristics.
Background In UK, 22-26.2% of children 4-5 years old are classified as overweight. Although research has focused on eating within the home, preschoolers’ eating outside of the home has received less attention.
Methods 82 parents, who are above 18 years old, reside in UK and have a child 3-5 years old, have been recruited through opportunistic sampling. Participants complete an online questionnaire that includes open-ended questions, demographic questions and the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire. A concurrent nested analytical design is used, so that quantitative data will enrich the context of the qualitative design. Qualitative data are analyzed through thematic analysis and quantitative through SPSS.
Results Although analysis is in an early stage, several themes have emerged. The occasions when eating occurs out of the home and beyond parents control include family dining-out, attending nursery, being cared by child minders and grandparents, visiting friends and relatives, parties and play dates. There, eating behavior depends on social and reward factors. Parties and grandparents visits are distinctively characterized by unrestricted convenience food offer. 45 Interestingly, preschoolers enthusiastically accept convenience food offered by grandparents, but overlook that in birthdays. Parents experience defeat by grandparents’ influence and describe their strategies to maintain control. Preschoolers’ fussiness seems to reinforce parental control.
Conclusions This topic highlights the importance of a community approach to ensuring children are eating appropriately. Adults feeding children outside of their home should be aware of their influence on child’s eating environment. A further attempt to emphasize this phenomenon’s generalizability can add support to the current evidence.
Project Supervisor Laura Wilkinson
46 Exploring the impact of ‘singing for the BrainTM’ groups for those with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers
Rhiannon Peters (MBPsS) and Leah Richards Swansea University
Objectives The aim of the research is to qualitatively explore the experiences of people with dementia and their carers who attend ‘Singing for the BrainTM’ groups.
Design A qualitative design with semi-structured face-to-face interviews will be used to gather in-depth information about the experiences of people with dementia and their carers. Participants will be recruited from ‘Singing for the BrainTM’ groups from the South Wales area of the UK, specifically, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough. Individuals who are willing to participate would be interviewed face- to-face at a location most comfortable for them. This may be at the location the SftBTM group is run (either before or after the session), at the interviewee’s home, or elsewhere. Interviews will be informal and semi-structured. This style of interviewing was chosen with the aim of facilitating a relaxed interview environment, in the hope of prompting diverse and elaborate responses. The researchers are aiming to conduct a minimum of six interviews of around 40 minutes or more in length. The following questions will be asked to interviewees, using non-technical jargon and open-ended questions: 1. How does it make you feel when you come here? 2. How important is this group to you? (prompt: for example, if for some reason you could not come to sessions, how would you feel?) 3. How do these groups benefit you? 4. In what way have you felt/seen changes in mood since you first came to this group? 5. What do you enjoy most about this group and why do you like coming? 6. How do you find these sessions impact your wellbeing? (prompt: e.g happiness, motivation, social life, activity, relationships)
47 7. What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming along to one of these groups? Perhaps they weren’t sure, or were nervous – what would you tell them?
Interviews will be voice recorded and transcribed by both researchers. The researchers agreed that interviews would be a more personal experience and might evoke more meaningful, in- depth responses than a focus group. This also ensures that each participants’ contribution is proportionate and there is less response bias (Braun & Clarke, 2014).
Project Supervisor Dr Rachael Hunter
48 A mixed method analysis of dessert restaurants
Tennesee Randall and Laura Wilkinson Swansea University
Objectives The current study investigates whether complex or simple labels differ in their in their influence of portion size selection for desserts.
Design Photographs of the available desserts are displayed as part of the menu at desert only restaurants, therefore enticing the customer and influencing their expectations. Furthermore, interactions between dietary behaviours (cognitive restraint/ disinhibition) were measured. Participants were also questioned as to how and why they use dessert-only restaurants.
Background Desert restaurants have surged in popularity within recent years, however, the current literature remains sparse. Previous studies have shown that dishes are more palatable when presented with an enticing description.
Methods Participants (N = 203) answered an online survey concerning dessert restaurant usage, followed by the dessert portion selection task and completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) to assess dietary behaviours.
Results A mixed ANOVA analysed the difference in portion selection dependent on which label was presented. No differences were observed between portion size and label type. Thematic analysis interpreted motives for using dessert restaurants and reasons underlying its popularity. Four key themes regarding how dessert restaurants are used were noted; following a meal, meal replacement, spontaneous treat and social engagement and four key themes regarding why dessert restaurants are used; social interaction, marketing strategies, culture and taste appeal.
49 Conclusions This study provides the foreground to evaluate dessert only restaurants in a context with higher ecological validity and future research could instead use a visualisation strategy instead of pictorial imagery. In terms of methodological application, sensory specific satiety was determined as an explanatory theory. Furthermore, social media platforms could be used to promote regulated heath advice to a large audience and help target the obesity epidemic in the UK.
Project Supervisor Laura Wilkinson
50 The application of evolutionary psychology on patriarchal influenced health behaviours
Shân Saunders Aberystwyth University
Objectives The primary aim of the research is to establish whether individuals who maintain higher patriarchal values also participate in negative health behaviours.
Design In order to establish varying patriarchal values a cross-cultural design was initiated. A questionnaire derived from Mahalik, Burns & Syzdek (2007) Health Behaviour Scale, Yoon et al., (2015) Patriarchal Values Scale and Edlund & Sagarin (2014) Mate Value Scale was created in order to determine whether a relationship exists between these factors. Additionally, to further dissect health behaviours Buss & Perry's (1992) aggression questionnaire was also included in the questionnaire.
Background Previous research identifies that negative health behaviours which is defined as any behaviour that can influence your health including drinking alcohol, participating in recreational drugs and even aggression (Mahalik, Burns & Syzdek, 2007); are produced most extensively by males (Courtenay, 2001). There is an evident gender difference that occurs with females presenting better health behaviours with previous scholars arguing that the presence of femininity can influence the severity of health behaviours (Caprioli & Boyer; 2001, Parslow et al; 2004). It has additionally been theorised that residing in a patriarchal country with intense patriarchal cultures leads to negative health behaviours especially for males (Stanistreet, Bambra & Scott-Samuel, 2005). Stanistreet, Bambra & Scott-Samuel (2005) supported this theory through presenting evidence from varying countries and identified a pattern with egalitarian countries presenting better health outcomes with lowering mortality rates for males. Furthermore, Scott-Samuel (2009) theorised that patriarchal countries aid in the creation of hegemonic masculinities which will inevitably result in negative health behaviours specifically for men. 51 This current research aims to investigate further the implication patriarchal cultures and residing in patriarchal countries can have upon the active involvement in negative health behaviours.
Methods The questionnaire that has been constructed from the aforementioned research was distributed to six different countries in order to establish varying patriarchal values across the globe. The United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand were chosen due to their English language capabilities and their differing cultures and equality perceptions. Additionally, although participants from countries from Eastern cultures such as Abu Dhabi would have been extremely interesting to analyse there remains the struggle of the questionnaire being understood not just word for word but also within culture context, therefore the possibility of obtaining a minimum of 100 participants from an Eastern country was dubiously considered but had to be rejected due to time restraints. The questionnaire was sent to varying universities in these countries to recruit students as participants. Data collection is currently still undergoing, it is predicted that the concluding participant sample will be 800 participants, currently the research has accumulated 600 participants. Data will be analysed through SPSS in order to analyse through correlations and regressions whether a relationship exists between patriarchal values and health behaviours along with the analysis of other varying influencing factors such as mate values and relationship status.
Project Supervisor Dr Jiaqing O
52 The role of maladaptive schemas and adult attachment in dating preferences
Huseyin Mert Turhan Swansea University
Objectives Current study will explore the role of early maladaptive schemas and adult attachment styles on sociosexual orientation. Maladaptive schemas will be associated with dating preferences of individuals with the mediation of attachment styles. A new self-r
Design The study has a quantitative design with correlational and regression analyses is designed to be implemented on the data.
Background Human mating behaviour is heavily influenced by attachment styles. Securely attached individuals tend to develop stable, supportive relationships, whereas anxiously attached individuals are more likely to be more dependent, fear rejection and interpret interpersonal cues in a more negative sense. Young conceptualised 18 Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) which were themes of principles for the individual’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioural elements that shape the individual’s relationship with oneself and others, and they are activated by various situations. Further research has found a variety of EMSs in individuals with avoidant and anxious attachment style Young and Kosko even suggested that EMSs compatibility is an important factor for predicting relationship satisfaction.
Methods • Online survey on Qualtrics • Minimum of 250 participants with a condition of having at least one romantic relationship in the past due to stabilization of correlation analysis • The Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory is designed to measure sociosexual orientation which reflects the individuals’ willingness to experience unrestricted sexual activity
53 • The Maladaptive Relationships Patterns Scale includes questions regarding the patterns of schemas in the relationships of participants that may seem maladaptive and destructive, thus is influenced by Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form Version 3 • The Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised is a questionnaire that assesses the adult attachment style of individuals in romantic relationships • Correlation and regression analyses to explore hypotheses • Mediated regression analysis to observe the mediating force of attachment style
Results • Maladaptive schemas will predict sociosexual orientation and how the variety of schemas relates to long-term and short- term dating • Adult attachment style will predict dating styles • Attachment style will be a mediating force in the relationship of schemas and dating preferences.
The direction of association will be explained by the end of the study since the study is a novel opportunity in the literature to explore this subject matter.
Conclusions The project will explore the underlying mechanisms of dating in terms of psychological vulnerability (e.g. cognitions, behaviours). It will also help to provide insight into interpersonal and partner-related problems.
Project Supervisor Dr. Andrew Thomas
54 Adoptive Parents Experiences of their Child’s Transition from Primary Education to Secondary Education.
Crystal Webster Aberystwyth University
Objectives The aim of this research it to identify key themes in adoptive parents’ experiences of their child's transition from primary to secondary education.
Design This was a qualitative study in which Adoptive parents were interviewed regarding their experiences of their child's transition from Primary to Secondary education. Telephone interviews were transcribed to allow for individual experiences to be analysed using thematic analysis.
Background The transition from primary school to secondary school is a major life change that can cause a myriad of problems for adopted children. Research has shown that adopted children struggle to cope and prepare themselves for the social-emotional difficulties that secondary school can bring. It is hard for children to learn in an environment where they don't feel safe, and the school environment can expose a child to senses that can trigger memories for abuse and neglect. This fear can manifest into behavioural problems can lead to formal repercussions such as exclusion. This research aims to fill the gaps in the existing literature on adopted children's educational needs at the point of transition, with references to attachment theory, early childhood trauma, while also considering the role that existing legislation plays in the education of adopted children.
Methods Participants were recruited via the use of the gateway charity Adoption UK. A participant information sheet, Consent form and a debrief sheet were developed for participants. Copies of the participant information sheet and consent form were provided to the participants and the consent form was signed and returned prior to 55 the start of the arranged interview time. All interviews happened via telephone as this enabled them to happen at a time convenient to the participant, as well as allowing for participants to take place from a larger geographical area. Interviews were audio recorded only. Appropriate prompts were used promote thought during the interviews. Transcriptions were produced, audio recordings deleted, and participants assigned a pseudonym. All identifying data was redacted. Each transcript was analysed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis allows flexibility in theme production, allowing for deeper analysis of data. As each family is different, it allows for a more holistic view of adopted children’s transitions from primary to secondary education.
Results Thematic Analysis has revealed five main themes that are present cross the whole data set. These are: The Need for Stability and Grounding, Failure to Recognize Vulnerability, Adoption as a lifelong Experience, Being and Staying Safe and Being the Difficult parent. However analysis is still ongoing and these are subject to change prior to presentation.
Project Supervisor Dr Martine Robson
56 The relationship between humility and religiosity. A study among Christians
Adrianna Wyszynska Wrexham Glyndŵr University
Objectives The primary aim of the research is to investigate the association between humility and religiosity. The major hypothesis is that there is a significant positive correlation between intrinsic religiosity and honesty-humility personality trait.
Design The design of the study was correlational as it wanted to investigate the relationship between humility as a personality trait and three motivational aspects of religiosity among religious people.
Background Humility is a very important concept among many religions, especially those world’s most long-standing. It has grown in religious traditions as a characteristic needed to adjust human relationship with the higher reality. Previous research investigated humility next to forgiveness, joy and happiness as virtues relating to positive emotional states. Studies on humility expanded in the recent years. However, there are very few research that has examined the relationship between religiosity and humility, especially considering individual differences.
Methods As the research required the religious people to participate, three communities of religious people, the church goers, the charismatic group members and religious students were were asked to complete the online questionnaire. The questions relating to humility from HEXACO Personality Inventory (HEXACO-60) measured Honesty- Humility personality dimension and the New Indices of Religious Orientation (NIRO) wwere used to measure intrinsic, extrinsic and quest religiosity.
57 Results More religious people are expected to be more humble. It is predicted that humility is significantly positively associated with intrinsic religiosity, positively associated with extrinsic religiosity and negatively associated with quest religiosity.
Conclusions It is recommended for further research to compare the religious groups of people with non-religious. The limitation of the study is the small sample size.
Project Supervisor Dr Shubha Sreenivas
58 Poster abstracts (By Surname)
Informational affordances: Automatic activation of actions that reveal object identity information
Jevgenia Barsutsenco Swansea University
Objectives Perception and action are synergistic processes, with the environment and objects in it affording actions compatible with them (e.g., Gibson, 1977). There is much evidence for functional affordances (e.g., Phillips & Ward, 2002; Tucker & Ellis, 1998), whe
Design Recently has emerged empirical evidence for informational affordances - the automatic activation of actions that enable better identification of an object (e.g., Reppa, Schmidt, Ward, 2012). The current study further examined this novel concept.
Methods Participants responded to directional (left or right pointing) stimuli which were superimposed on a prime display at screen centre. Primes were everyday familiar objects with strong functional affordances (e.g., hammer, tooth-brush) or not (e.g., bread loaf, helmet). In half the trials the part of the identifying part of the object (e.g., the head of the hammer) was occluded, and in the other half the handle was occluded.
Results Performance was consistent with informational, but not functional affordances: performance was faster for actions compatible with the location of information especially when that identifying information was hidden from view. Interestingly, there were no effects of functional affordances: no performance benefits when the target response was compatible with a clearly visible handle when the identity of the object was occluded.
59 Conclusions The results suggest that objects do not elicit functional affordances when their identity information is not available. Instead, actions compatible with the revealing of identifying information is more likely to be elicited.
60 Prioritising reproductively relevant traits: Sex differences and similarities in an Australian sample
Jesse Blackburn Swansea University
Objectives N/A
Design N/A
Background Selecting a mate requires an evaluation of various physical and behavioural traits. Previous research has investigated the relative importance of these traits during partner selection. The current study expands upon this research with the addition of traits which are known to vary by culture, such as religiousness and the desire for children.
Methods A sample of Australian participants (N = 832) was asked to ‘design’ an ideal long-term partner by allocating points from an increasingly limited budget across eight different traits.
Results In line with previous research, individuals prioritised traits with the greatest historical implications for reproductive success (e.g. physical attractiveness and good financial prospect) - these varied by sex. Additionally, some traits, such as kindness, were revealed to be equally important to both males and females without compromise. Finally, selection in the higher-budget conditions revealed a set of ‘luxury’ traits which were allocated a greater proportion of the budget once other, more important traits were satisfactorily high.
Conclusions These selection preferences reveal sex differences in partner- selection strategies and how evolutionary-related traits are prioritised in comparison to culturally variable traits. This poster presents
61 results, discusses interactions between traits, and offers arguments for how these traits might enhance reproductive success.
Project Supervisor Dr Andrew G. Thomas
62 Humour and laughter can enhance immune functioning: A meta-analysis
Vanessa Bohlinger Aberystwyth University
Objectives Whether humour and laughter can improve physical health by increasing immune functioning is an ongoing debate in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. This systematic review aims to clear this debate.
Design Initial literature search identified 40 studies of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. Moderators controlled for included humour and immune measurements, time of measurement, sample size, country and gender.
Background An equal number of studies reporting statistical non-significant and statistically significant results, often due to low sample sizes and methodological issues brought much controversy.
Methods With literature finding both support and arguments against such an effect, a meta-analysis combining 19 studies that have dealt with this topic was conducted. Studies that measured immunoglobulin A levels and natural killer-cell activities in response to humorous video stimuli and humour or laughter interventions were included. Furthermore, correlational studies providing baseline immunity measures in response to sense of humour were included.
Results A consistent effect was found across studies, observing a moderate and statistically significant raise in natural immune parameters in response to humorous stimuli. Effects were consistent across moderators, showing a solid and general influence of humour and laughter. No influence of publication bias was detected.
63 Conclusions Comparable results have been reported analysing the effect of acute laboratory stressors, positive affect and even forgiveness on immune levels. This invites to conclude that emotional arousal has a positive effect on natural-killer cell activity and Immunoglobulin A levels as opposed to the theory that effects are caused by the physiological mechanisms of laughter. NK-cells are known to lyse tumorous cells and heightened immunoglobulin A levels are known as the bodies first defence against upper respiratory infections. This has implications for designing and implementing clinical interventions.
Project Supervisor Gil Greengross
64 REM sleep and dream reports in frequent cannabis versus non-cannabis users
Rebecca Borcsok, Dr Ceri Bradshaw, Michelle Carr Swansea University
Objectives To explore sleep stages and dream reports in cannabis users and non-cannabis users.
Design Research into cannabis and REM sleep is hindered by the fact that most studies have been laboratory-based, while only a limited body of research exists on dream occurrence and cannabis use. This between-subjects field study (10 daily cannabis users versus 10 non- users) used a recent technological advance of polysomnography- recording headbands, which can be used unobtrusively at home, to observe sleep stages. Participants also gave dream reports in three awakenings, set at two-hourly intervals on each night, reporting dream content and subjective ratings of the dream’s bizarreness, emotionality, and sensory experience.
Background Early studies on the effects of cannabis demonstrated that the administration of tetrahydrocannabinidiol (THC; one of the main psychoactive components of cannabis) causes significant sleep disturbances, such as awakenings. THC administration has also been found to suppress Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Research into cannabis and REM sleep is hindered by the fact that most studies have been laboratory-based, while only a limited body of research exists on dream occurrence and cannabis use.
Methods Participants applied through a University website. If they used cannabis at least 3 times a week, they were included in the 'use' condition, while those reporting no use in the past month were assigned to the control condition.
Results Results have not yet been analysed and reported. 65 Conclusions Conclusions have not yet been made, due to status of results.
Project Supervisor Dr Ceri Bradshaw, Michelle Carr
66 Do student recreational drug users self-deception affect their self-perception and well-being?
Courtney Davies Aberystwyth University
Objectives Aim: To determine how student recreational drug users self deception influences their self-perception and psychological well-being. Main Hypothesis: Those with higher self-deceiving tendencies would have higher self-perceptions.
Design The design used a regression analysis, whereby the independent variable was self-deception, drug-use was the moderating variable, and the dependent variables were self-perception and psychological well-being.
Background Self-deception can be understood as the extent to which an individual lies to themselves and about themselves to others. Previous literature has discussed the positive rewards to be gained from self-deception, such as to enhance and maintain a positive self-perception. However, self-deception can eliminate negative feelings such as guilt or shame that accompany risk-taking behaviors such as recreational drug use over a prolonged period of time, due to a decreased BOLD response in the amygdala. The use of recreational drugs among students populations is well- known, and whilst various factors have been found to influence such behaviour, little has been done to analyse how recreational drug use moderates the relationship between self-deception and self- perception, or how such behaviours can impact Psychological well- being in the long-run. My study intended to fill this hole.
Methods The research consisted of anonymous data collected through the online JISC survey, from 60 undergraduate students attending Aberystwyth University between the ages of 18 and 30. Opportunistic sampling was employed to recruit participants. Data were collected across a two-month period. Four standardised questionnaires were 67 used: a drug screening form; the shortened 16-item BIDR scale (Balanced Inventory of Desirable Characteristics); the SDS (Self- Diagnostic Scale); and the PWB (Ryff’s Psychological Wellbeing Scale). The shortened BIDR-16 investigated results for two subscales of deception: SDE (Self Deceptive Enhancement – honest but positively biased reports) and IM (Impression Management – providing inflated self-descriptions to an audience). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine how much of the variance could be accounted for by each subscale of the IV’s.
Results Multiple regression analysis was utilised to determine whether the likelihood of an individual to self-deceive impacts their self- perception. Self-deceptive enhancement was excluded, but there was a significant result for Impression Management that accounted for 6.7% of the variance (R2=.067, F(1, 57) = 4.08, p <0.05). It was found that Impression Management predicted self-perception (β=.259, p<.05).
Conclusions The results prove that there is a weak, positive relationship between self-deceiving tendencies and self-perception, falling in line with previous literature. The weak relationship may be attributed to the small sample size. Completion of the results should show how drug use moderates the relationship between self-deception and self- perception, and how overall Psychological well-being is consequently impacted.
Project Supervisor Alexander Taylor
68 Exploring the Environmental Influences of Swansea University Campuses on Student Wellbeing
Bronwen Yu Dawson Swansea University
Environmental psychology is the study of human-environment interplay (Steg et al., 2012). Research has illustrated the negative effects of poor environmental quality and building designs on wellbeing, attributed to poorer quality of life and increased negative affect (Karmanov & Hamel, 2008; Ng et al., 2005). Yet, research has largely overlooked the environmental influences of University campuses on students’ wellbeing. Swansea University, with the Bay and Singleton campuses, offers an opportunity to investigate the effects of contrasting campus environments on students’ wellbeing. The aim is to conduct a field study and investigate whether students perceive different environmental qualities between the Bay and Singleton campuses, and how campus designs may influence wellbeing.
Thirty-two Undergraduate student participants are taken on a 20- minute walking tour of Swansea University Singleton and Bay campus. Questionnaires are used to assess the students’ perceived environmental quality (PEQ) of the campuses and their situational wellbeing. PEQ is measured in two domains of environmental aesthetics (Environmental Perceptions; Karmanov & Hamel, 2008) and environmental stress (own scale). Wellbeing is assessed in three domains of mood and affect, motivation, and perceived restorativeness, using the UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL; Matthews, Jones, & Chamberlain, 1990), Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS; Guay, Vallerand, & Blanchard, 2000), and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS-11; Pasini et al., 2014) respectively.
It is hypothesised that: (H1) students’ PEQ differ between Singleton and Bay campus, and this difference affects the three domains of wellbeing, comprising of (H2) mood and affect, (H3) motivation, and, (H4) perceived environmental restorativeness. Findings could contribute to the promotion of designing campus environments which support student wellbeing at Swansea University.
69 Street fighting: A party-over-policy effect on the support for sexual harassment prevention
Eleanor Heath and Yasmin Ford Swansea University
Objectives Voters evaluate government policies using partisan cues (e.g., party membership) more than policy content – an effect known as the ‘party-over-policy’. Hence, regardless of policy content, greater support will be shown for policies proposed by one’s own p
Design The current study investigated the party-over-policy effect regarding an anti-sexual harassment policy in the UK. We predicted that both peer support and distrust in the out-group would mediate the main effect.
Methods Participants (N = 192) were randomly assigned to view a bogus newspaper article depicting a real Parliamentary initiative 432a/2018 to refresh the ‘Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy’. We manipulated partisan cue indirectly, by presenting the initiative via the means of left-wing or right-wing UK media (e.g., The Mirror vs. The Daily Mail), and measured one’s support for the policy.
Results Moderated-mediation analyses did not support the party-over-policy effect but, for liberal participants, political ideology predicted one’s support for the initiative alongside their estimates of liberal voters’ support, and their trust in the in-group (left-leaning voters and readers). The converse was not found for conservative participants.
70 Exploring coping styles and gender differences in the psychological impacts of living with a skin condition: Responses from a web-based questionnaire
Olivia Hughes University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Objectives The objective of this study was to explore coping styles and psychological impacts between males and females living with a skin condition.
Design The design of the study was experimental, with a cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire targeting individuals with skin conditions.
Background Hess et al (2000) gender stereotypes in western cultures portray women as more emotionally expressive than men.
Methods The target sample for the study was people with skin conditions. A total of 231 participants responded, including 30 males (13%), and 199 females (86.1%), with ages ranging from 19-78 years of age (m=36.7, sd=14.1). Respondents were recruited through a range of strategies, including the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and social media pages.
Results Independent Samples T-Tests showed no significant difference between males, and females (t (227) = -0.87, p=0.38, two-tailed) social appearance anxiety. However, there was a significant difference in reports of Males, and Females (t (227) = -2.04, p=0.04, two-tailed) reporting avoidant coping behaviours. No significant difference was found between scores of emotion-focussed coping between females, and males (t (227) = -1.47, p=0.14, two-tailed). Lastly, there was no significant difference between task-orientated coping in males and females (t (227) = -0.82, p=0.42, two-tailed). Qualitative content analysis determined the main challenge faced by respondents was 'social appearance embarrassment, and other 71 peoples’ misconceptions' (54.97%), the main way of managing this was 'practically through the use of topical steroids and medications' (51.94%), and respondents felt they needed better support through 'better treatments from medical professionals' (44.58%), 'overall negative impacts on mental health and psychological wellbeing' were reported by 45.45%.
Conclusions Results suggest that there is no need for gendered psychosocial interventions for skin conditions, as psychological effects were not found to be gender specific.
Project Supervisor Dr Ceri Phelps
72 A qualitative discussion into people's perceptions of gender within middle-grade and young adult literature.
Annabel Lees Aberystwyth University
Objectives An exploration around the topic of gender within children's and teenage fiction and whether it has an effect on identity
Design A total of four focus group style semi-structured interviews took place with between three and four participants within each group. Participants were asked a series of prompt questions is order to stimulate discussion among the group about the topic of gender in the books the read between the ages of 9-12.
Background Gender role theory Gender stereotypes Social Learning theory in relation to gender Research suggests media has an impact of gender identity Literature as a form of media that is neglected in preference for film, television, music videos, magazines and tabloid news. Research that has been done focuses primarily on young children and picture books or in the area of adult romance novels. Little has been looked into in relation to young teenage years and the predominance of middle-grade and young adult literature and its effects on young people's identity during puberty.
Methods Participants were selected through opportunity sampling, with the only criteria being that they were over the age of eighteen and were avid readers during their childhood and teen years. Data was collected through the use of focus group style semi-structured interviews with between three and four participants in each group. They were asked a series of prompt style questions by the researcher around the subject topic of gender and literature, allowing for participants to talk in depth about the topics in which they felt were particularly important. Participants were asked before the study to 73 think of between one and three books from their youth that they remember reading or had an impact on them. The participants responses were audio-recorded by the researcher before being transcribed - the participants being given pseudonyms upon transcription. The transcriptions were then analysed for themes based on Braun and Clarke's (2006) Thematic Analysis process.
Results Results were gathered by conducting a Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) on the focus group transcripts. Results gathered a few prominent themes which included: Participants did not read age appropriate content; favourite characters were those who are relatable or admired; characters are used as self-inserts; female heroes have become androgynous; there is large debate over feminine men in fiction; romantic subplots cause retrospective embarrassment and guilt; there is a strong awareness of harmful portrayals of gender; literature generates role models for participants; there is a consensus of hope for further diversity in fiction. The most salient of these themes are discussed in detail within the report.
Project Supervisor Alison Mackiewicz
74 Relationship preferences- Implications for mental and sexual health
Elliot Norris & Andrew Thomas Swansea University
Objectives To understand the effects of different mating strategies and how this relates to psychological traits.
Design This study will analyse data provided by 250 subjects on the dark triad, attachment style and socio-sexual orientation, measured using the Short Dark Triad questionnaire, Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire and Socio-sexual Orientation Inventory respectively. This large scale correlational study will determine the relationships between these measures. Multiple regression analysis will be used to predict short-term mating from the predictor variables (dark triad, attachment type).
Background Evolutionary psychologists differentiate between long and short-term mating- two styles thought to have been useful to ancestral men and women depending on their circumstances (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). But, what are the implications of a strong preference for short-term mating today? For some time, many believed that an inclination to employ short-term mating strategies was a result of positive psychological factors and exhibited adaptive value (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). Using principles of evolution Buss and Schmitt (1993) considered short-term mating as an adaptive trait to improve reproduction success. Other research contradicted these findings and claimed that the human attachment system is designed to foster the pursuit of long-term monogamous relationships (Hazan & Zeifman, 1999). Now there has been more research that associated short-term mating techniques with more negative psychological factors. There has been some research that proposed that insecure attachment styles and the dark triad are associated with short-term mating (Schmitt, 2005; Jonason, 2009). The dark triad has been linked to short-term mating strategies previously; Jonason et al (2009) proposed a connection between the dark triad and more positive 75 attitudes towards casual sex. Despite this, an analysis of the relationship between short-term mating and the dark triad when compared between insecure and secure attachment styles has yet to be conducted. The purpose of this study is to see if that relationship is consistent. Hypothesis: the desire for short-term mating (socio-sexual orientation) will be positively associated with insecure attachment types and all components of the dark triad. The relationship between the dark triad and short-term mating (socio- sexual orientation) will be significantly less consistent for those with secure attachment types compared to those with insecure attachment types.
Methods 250 participants, equal males and females, all aged above 18 are required to complete all parts of the questionnaire that uses the following measures: Socio-sexual Orientation Index, Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised and the Short Dark Triad. Participants are informed of the link to the Qualtrics site where the questionnaire can be completed.
Project Supervisor Andrew Thomas
76 How poetry influences people's atittudes towards others in terms of empathy
Angelika Pastuszko Aberystwyth University
Objectives The primary purpose was to check to what extent highly emotional narratives influence people's emotions and attitudes
Design The study employs a 2 (Condition: Poetry, Dramatic story) x 2 (Psychometric Test Scores: Positive Affect, Negative Affect) Mixed repeated measures Analysis of Variance. The participants filled in the test of Emotional Control and proceeded to the next part – the narrative assigned to their condition. After reading, the participants’ attitude was self-reported with a test of Positive and Negative Affect. The Courtauld Emotional Control Scale scores ranged from 21 to 80 and in the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule the scores ranged from 10 to 50. The researcher predicted that participants assigned to the poetry condition would be affected positively, whereas those assigned to the dramatic story condition could be affected negatively. Almost all participants (except for one) performed above average on the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale which meant they had a good control of their emotions at the time of taking part in the experiment.
Background Narratives can have strong effects on people’s attitudes, opinions and even lives so it is important to know what and when influences our perception and how those effects are applied in literature (Hoeken, Fikkers, 2014). The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of highly emotional narratives on people’s attitudes towards others in dimensions such as empathy. Past research has observed the impact of fiction reading on people’s attitudes in terms of evoking empathy and pro-social behaviours (Stansfield, Bunce, 2014; Koopman, 2015; Muszkat, Yehuda, Moses, Naparstek, 2010; Collins, Zweber, Irwin, 2017). In majority, past studies focused on prosaic literature such as short fictional stories (written in different genres) or excerpts from books to check for the effect on people’s attitudes towards other people or animals. 77 As fiction has been found to have an effect on people’s attitudes, the purpose of this study is to check for the influence of a specific genre – poetry - on people’s attitudes towards others. Poetry is the type of literature that uses the rhythmic and aesthetic features of language to evoke emotions and reflections. Poetry helps us to understand others (Barrett, Lewis and Haviland-Jones, 2008), it develops the emotional intelligence (Roberts, 2009) and moves us emotionally by reminding us of the personal experiences (Green, Strange, Brock, 2002).
Results It was predicted that participants assigned to the poetry condition would be affected positively, whereas those assigned to the dramatic story condition could be affected negatively. The ANOVA outcome indicated a non-significant score for the Interaction of Condition and the Post Test Affect Scores, F (1,38)=.639, MSE=31.250, p > .005, although the results showed the main effect of the Post Test Affect Scores was significant, F(1,38)= 61.886, MSE=48.893, p=.000, showing that the participants were affected after reading a narrative.
Project Supervisor Catherine O'Hanlon
78 Time perception after a nap: impact of sleep inertia
Hannah Rees Swansea University
Objectives Sleep inertia (SI), the state of confusion after waking from sleep, can negatively affect cognitive functions including time perception. Accurate time perception is essential for insomnia patients, as behavioural treatment requires the individual to get u
Design The study was a within-subject, repeated measures design. The independent variable was the condition (nap vs. wake), and the dependent variable was the time estimation.
Methods Six participants with insomnia symptoms were required to complete both a nap and wake condition, followed by a 15-minute time estimation task, with order of completion randomised. A difference score (difference from 15 minute target) was calculated by subtracting 15 from the time estimation; negative values indicated an underestimation and positive values indicating an overestimation. Polysomnography data was obtained to determine sleep onset and also to score sleep stages (light vs. deep sleep).
Results There was no significant difference between the difference score in the nap (mean = -1.92min, SD=5.54) vs. the wake condition (mean = -2.66min, SD=3.27), t = -.287, df = 5, p > .785. For further analysis we examined results in participants who reached deep sleep (after which sleep inertia is most common). The difference between the conditions was still non-significant; however the underestimation was even more pronounced after the nap condition -5.31min (5 minute underestimation).
Conclusions Contrary to our predictions after napping participants underestimated the 15 minute target. This means individuals stay in bed shorter than
79 the 15 minute target. Future research needs to determine if this is related to treatment outcome.
80 ‘I wanna be that body type’: Making sense of males’ experiences of using Instagram
Lauraine Roberts Aberystwyth University
Objectives the aim of this current Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was to take a qualitative approach to understand males’ experiences of using Instagram in the context of body image and appearance.
Design A qualitative methodological design was implemented, analysing data with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Background Past literature has indicated that viewing idealised images of the body can have a negative impact on how men and women feel about their body and appearance (Hendrickse et al, 2017). Past literature has indicated that viewing idealised images of the body can have a negative impact on how men and women feel about their body and appearance (Hendrickse et al, 2017). However, research into the phenomenon of social media and body image has often used quantitative methodology. Therefore, the aim of this current Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was to take a qualitative approach to understand males’ experiences of using Instagram in the context of body image and appearance: What are the experiences of males who are exposed to idealised images of body on Instagram?
Methods The sample consisted of seven male student participants, aged over eighteen. Participants were purposefully recruited to meet criteria i.e Males' experiences of viewing idealised images of other male bodies on Instagram. Data was gathered from participants utilising both semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation as they are deemed compatible methods to use with IPA. Participants were analysed using IPA>
Results Analysis revealed two superordinate themes: ‘Being Muscular is the 81 Ideal’ and ‘Understanding Images on Instagram are not Authentic’. These themes described the experience of viewing other males’ idealised images as often positive, in the sense that participants were able to appreciate another males’ physical appearance and use this appreciation as motivation to improve their own appearance. Despite this, participants also illustrated that they were aware idealised images are often edited and not a true reflection of how that person appears.
Conclusions Therefore, the use of qualitative methodology, in contrast with previous quantitative literature was insightful in highlighting the complex processes that men experience when viewing idealised images of other men on Instagram.
Project Supervisor Sarah Riley
82 Effects of emotional arousal stimuli in episodic- laboratory and semantic memory retrieval in healthy older adults: an fMRI investigation
Elena Stylianopoulou Swansea University
Objectives Voters evaluate government policies using partisan cues (e.g., party membership) more than policy content – an effect known as the ‘party-over-policy’. Hence, regardless of policy content, greater support will be shown for policies proposed by one’s own p
Design The present study will use an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging
Methods The sample size of the current study will be 20 older adults in total, ages 60-82 years old. Black and white pictures represent the visual stimuli and are presented during a computerized task in the fMRI scanner; half of them represent highly emotional stimuli, whereas the other half represent non-emotionally arousing stimuli. After each stimulus presentation, participants are presented with a question that elicits episodic or semantic memory retrieval. The statistical analysis that will be used for the fMRI data is multivariate analysis using PLS, whereas for the behavioural data two-way repeated measures ANOVA will be conducted.
Results It is predicted that the common neural network will be activated during both semantic and episodic-laboratory condition; however, less activation of these brain regions is expected to be observed in episodic-laboratory condition. Additionally, coactivation of the amygdala and rostral/ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in high- emotional arousal conditions and low-emotional arousal conditions respectively, is expected to be observed more in semantic memory condition.
83 Conclusions Knowing about how arousal (low or high emotional arousal) affects the behavioural performance and neural activity in different memory tasks in healthy aging, will offer important implications to future research and to the better understanding of the possible difficulties and potentials that healthy older adults are facing.
84 Effects of emotional arousal stimuli in episodic- laboratory and semantic memory retrieval in healthy older adults: an fMRI investigation
Elena Stylianopoulou Swansea University
Objectives Voters evaluate government policies using partisan cues (e.g., party membership) more than policy content – an effect known as the ‘party-over-policy’. Hence, regardless of policy content, greater support will be shown for policies proposed by one’s own p
Design The present study will use an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging
Methods The sample size of the current study will be 20 older adults in total, ages 60-82 years old. Black and white pictures represent the visual stimuli and are presented during a computerized task in the fMRI scanner; half of them represent highly emotional stimuli, whereas the other half represent non-emotionally arousing stimuli. After each stimulus presentation, participants are presented with a question that elicits episodic or semantic memory retrieval. The statistical analysis that will be used for the fMRI data is multivariate analysis using PLS, whereas for the behavioural data two-way repeated measures ANOVA will be conducted.
Results It is predicted that the common neural network will be activated during both semantic and episodic-laboratory condition; however, less activation of these brain regions is expected to be observed in episodic-laboratory condition. Additionally, coactivation of the amygdala and rostral/ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in high- emotional arousal conditions and low-emotional arousal conditions respectively, is expected to be observed more in semantic memory condition.
85 Conclusions Knowing about how arousal (low or high emotional arousal) affects the behavioural performance and neural activity in different memory tasks in healthy aging, will offer important implications to future research and to the better understanding of the possible difficulties and potentials that healthy older adults are facing.
86 Aberystwyth University This event was organised by
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