Psychologist Vol 28 No 7 July 2015

the psychologist vol 28 no 7 july 2015 www.thepsychologist.org.uk

Beyond the ‘average adolescent’ Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s keynote opens our coverage from the Society’s Annual Conference

letters 514 it’s not just cricket 552 news 522 the monster mind 560 careers 586 reaching out to the ‘Untouchables’ 564 looking back 600 new voices 570 Contact The British Psychological Society the psychologist... St Andrews House 48 Princess Road East ...features Leicester LE1 7DR 0116 254 9568 [email protected] www.bps.org.uk

The Psychologist www.thepsychologist.org.uk Beyond the ‘average’ adolescent 534 www.psychapp.co.uk Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s keynote kicks off [email protected] our extensive coverage from the Society’s Annual Conference, held in Liverpool in May. tinyurl.com/thepsychomag You can find more reports at http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk @psychmag

Advertising It’s not just cricket 552 Reach 50,000 psychologists As the Ashes comes to England, Jamie Barker at very reasonable rates. and Matt Slater consider the psychology at play Display Aaron Hinchcliffe 020 7880 7661 534 [email protected] The monster mind 560 Recruitment (in print and online Jonathan Myers considers why we see at www.psychapp.co.uk) monsters, and what form they take Giorgio Romano 020 7880 7556 [email protected] Reaching out to the ‘Untouchables’ 564 Paul Ghuman gives a psychological perspective June issue on Dalit resistance and identity 47,604 dispatched New voices: Helpful categorisation or Printed by limiting label? 570 Warners Midlands plc on 100 per cent recycled Caitlin Cherry with the latest in our series paper. Please re-use or recycle. ...reports ISSN 0952-8229 552 news 522 Queen’s speech; citations; Pint of Science; gay marriage; and more

society 574 © Copyright for all published material is President’s column; Work Capability Assessment; held by the British Psychological Society Walk the Talk; and more unless specifically stated otherwise. As the Society is a party to the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) agreement, articles in The The Psychologist is the monthly publication of The British Psychological Society. It provides a forum for Psychologist may be copied by libraries and other organisations under the communication, discussion and controversy among all members of the Society, and aims to fulfil the main object terms of their own CLA licences of the Royal Charter, ‘to promote the advancement and diffusion of a knowledge of psychology pure and applied’. (www.cla.co.uk). Permission must be obtained from the British Psychological Society for any other use beyond fair dealing authorised by copyright legislation. For further information Managing Editor Jon Sutton Journalist Ella Rhodes about copyright and obtaining Assistant Editor Peter Dillon-Hooper Editorial Assistant Debbie Gordon permissions, e-mail Production Mike Thompson Research Digest Christian Jarrett (editor), Alex Fradera [email protected]. The publishers have endeavoured to Associate Editors Articles Michael Burnett, Paul Curran, Harriet Gross, Rebecca Knibb, Charlie Lewis, trace the copyright holders of all Wendy Morgan, Paul Redford, Mark Wetherell, Jill Wilkinson illustrations. If we have unwittingly Conferences Alana James History of Psychology Nathalie Chernoff infringed copyright, we will be pleased, on being satisfied as to the owner’s Interviews Gail Kinman Reviews Kate Johnstone Viewpoints Catherine Loveday title, to pay an appropriate fee. International panel Vaughan Bell, Uta Frith, Alex Haslam, Elizabeth Loftus the psychologist vol 28 no 7 july 2015

the issue ...debates Later this month I will be hosting a discussion at Latitude Festival. letters 514 ‘Being young never gets old – for mindful teaching of mindfulness; EU referendum; educational psychology teenagers debunked’ is the title, trainees; the two-fold nature of autism; therapist self-disclosure; who teaches and between the two participants – the teachers?; and more Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (see p.534) and author Fiona Neill ...digests (see p.595) – I have become convinced that despite the particular why it’s a mistake to seek control of your life neurological challenges they face, through solitude; is CBT for depression losing teenagers aren’t all that different its efficacy?; metalheads from the 80s are from grown-ups, that stereotypes thriving; why do children stick their tongues out surrounding them are as old as the when they are concentrating?; and more, in the hills, and that we need to look latest from our free Research Digest beyond the ‘average adolescent’. (see www.researchdigest.org.uk/blog) 528 Why are we doing the event? I would like to reach out beyond 528 the ‘average reader’, to engage new, large and diverse audiences. ...meets But we must never lose sight of our core readership, the Society news 527 members. Feedback has been very five minutes with newly-elected MP psychologist Lisa Cameron positive lately, but are we living in an interview 572 echo chamber? We will be looking with clinical psychologist Fleur-Michelle Coiffait at ways to assess your engagement with the publication, in print and careers 586 online, but in the meantime just get we meet Susan Golombok, and hear from Sangita Bhandari on her work in touch. The Psychologist is your with a UK education charity in Nepal baby, not mine: is it developing well? one on one 604 Is it ‘beyond average’? Can you feel with Willem Kuyken, University of Oxford proud of it? Dr Jon Sutton ...reviews Managing Editor @psychmag Defining Beauty: The Body in Ancient Greek Art, at the British Museum; Fiona Neill’s The Good Girl reviewed ahead of her appearance with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore as part of ‘The Psychologist presents…’ at Latitude Festival; The Aging Mind; The Enfield Haunting; Every Brilliant Thing; and more 594 ...looks back What passes between client and therapist? 600 Stephanie Cobb with three perspectives on transference and countertransference

21 years ago Go to www.thepsychologist.org.uk The Psychologist and Digest for our archive, including disastrous Editorial Advisory Committee decisions! Catherine Loveday (Chair), Phil Banyard, Olivia Craig, Helen Galliard, Harriet Gross, Rowena Hill, Stephen McGlynn, Tony Wainwright, Peter Wright Big picture centre-page pull-out a lonely disorder: image by Brad Fox and words by Rob Willson

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk For mindful teaching of mindfulness LETTERS

Edo Shonin’s interview of Jon Kabat- be spiritual in nature? Zinn [published as an online exclusive Patients receiving mindfulness- on The Psychologist website at based interventions are invariably http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/meets] under the impression that they are is timely particularly in light of recent receiving a clinical intervention to calls by the Mental Health Foundation assist with mental health issues. for mindfulness to be made more readily However, if in conjunction with available on the NHS. However, the treating such issues, the primary debate regarding the clinical use of purpose of interventions such as mindfulness has never really been about MBSR is to expound the Buddhist whether it leads to health benefits. teachings, then there is an ethical Rather, mindfulness stakeholders have obligation to make this abundantly repeatedly deliberated (in some cases clear to participants. quite fiercely) whether ‘mindfulness’, Most mindfulness approaches as it is conceptualised in interventions include in their name the term such as mindfulness-based stress ‘mindfulness-based’. On the surface, reduction (MBSR), still bears meaningful this appears to be an entirely resemblance to the traditional Buddhist acceptable and transparent approach interpretation of this term (Monteiro et al., 2015). because it implies that such interventions are based on Kabat-Zinn states that his teachings and the intervention mindfulness, but do not teach mindfulness in a manner that is he developed (MBSR) are not: (a) about Buddhism per se, necessarily in keeping with the Buddhist model. In other words, or (b) spiritual in nature. However, he then states that MBSR the term ‘mindfulness-based’ is consistent with what is arguably is about ‘the movement of the Dharma into the mainstream of a common understanding amongst psychologists that these society’ (‘Dharma’ means the Buddhist teachings). The rhetoric interventions have adapted a Buddhist (and therefore spiritual) used by Kabat-Zinn is arguably both confusing and misleading. meditative technique in order to develop an attention-based How can an approach that purports to be bringing Buddhist psychological intervention. teachings into the mainstream not be about Buddhism and not A problem arises however, when individuals such as Kabat-

EU referendum – what’s the question?

One’s first reaction may be ‘not again’ but There are claims that elements other trivial if…the choice… [is]…between two it has been reported that minds are now than the purely political can affect voting men or two parties’, where the contest is turning to what the question should be, behaviour. Thus the taller of two close it may be better not to ignore this. for the forthcoming referendum across (presidential) candidates has a very Psychologists might also reflect on the UK. Prime Minister Cameron is said slightly better chance of being elected. whether an option to say ‘yes’ may gain to have suggested that one wording might A name at the top of a list has a slightly wider approval than would be given to be ‘Should the UK remain a member of better chance of receiving votes than one a wording looking for rejection of the the EU?’. at the bottom, and though the ‘bias is proposition ‘Should the UK cease its

THE PSYCHOLOGIST NEEDS YOU! …and much more We rely on your submissions throughout the publication, and in return we help you to get your message across to a large and Letters

contribute diverse audience. These pages are central to The Psychologist’s role as a forum for communication, discussion and controversy among all ‘Reach the largest, most diverse audience of psychologists in the UK members of the Society, and we welcome your contributions. (as well as many others around the world); work with a wonderfully Send e-mails marked ‘Letter for publication’ to [email protected]; supportive editorial team; submit thought pieces, reviews, interviews, or write to the Leicester office. analytic work, and a whole lot more. Start writing for The Psychologist now before you think of something else infinitely less important to do!’ Letters over 500 words are less likely to be published. Robert Sternberg, Oklahoma State University The editor reserves the right to edit or publish extracts from letters. Letters to the editor are not normally For details of all the available options, plus our policies and acknowledged, and space does not permit the what to do if you feel these have not been followed, see publication of every letter received. www.thepsychologist.org.uk/contribute

514 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Zinn give the impression that MBSR and similar mindfulness- thrusting (what he deems to be) Buddhism into the mainstream based approaches operationalise the Buddhist teachings in all and teaching it to the unsuspecting masses (i.e. without their of their ‘essential fullness’ (Williams & Kabat-Zinn, 2011, p.15). ‘informed consent’). A key difference between Buddhism and MBSR is that in the William Van Gordon case of the former, mindfulness constitutes only a small part Mark D. Griffiths of the meditative journey and is practised in the context of Nottingham Trent University a comprehensive set of guiding ethical and spiritual principles (Shonin, Van Gordon, & Griffiths, 2014). This is very different Editor Jon Sutton comments: It’s good to see an online offering from the ethics taught in MBSR, which, according to Kabat-Zinn, sparking discussion and debate. The interview with Jon Kabat- are embodied by the Hippocratic Oath (i.e. First do no harm). Zinn, as well as one with John Amaechi OBE, was published In the Buddhist setting, the ethical code of the authentic ‘online first’ at http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk. They may well mindfulness and Dharma practitioner goes well beyond simply only be published online: I am still trying out different ways of ‘doing no harm’ and requires that they dedicate each of their integrating our print and web offerings. Don’t miss out: keep an thoughts, words, and actions to their own and others’ spiritual eye on the site and follow us on Twitter @psychmag. development (Chah, 2011; Dalai Lama, 2001). Shonin’s questions provided Kabat-Zinn with an opportunity References to clarify some of the ambiguity surrounding the popular Chah, A. (2011). The collected teachings of Ajahn Chah. Northumberland: Aruna mindfulness movement. However, in our opinion, elements Publications. of the responses were vague and contradictory. Furthermore, Dalai Lama (2001). Stages of meditation: Training the mind for wisdom. London: Rider. aspects of Kabat-Zinn’s approach appear to run tangential to Monteiro, L.M., Musten, R.F. & Compson, J. (2015). Traditional and contemporary established principles concerning the transmission of the mindfulness: Finding the middle path in the tangle of concerns. Mindfulness, 6, 1–13. Buddhist teachings. For example, a central theme of Buddhist Shonin, E., Van Gordon W. & Griffiths, M.D. (2014). The emerging role of Buddhism in training is that individuals should approach Buddhist teachings clinical psychology. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 6, 123–137. with the ‘right intention’ (i.e. to develop spiritually) and of their Williams, J.M.G. & Kabat-Zinn, J. (2011). Mindfulness: Diverse perspectives on its own accord. In other words, authentic Buddhism does not seek meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and to ‘convert’ people or force its ideals onto them. This is quite dharma. Contemporary Buddhism, 12, 1–18. different to what appears to be Kabat-Zinn’s approach of

Explaining the

membership of the EU?’. This matter educational should be discussed in a perspective of what any available studies (which are replete with engaging mathematical imbalance contentions) on wording of propositions So the tutors on the Newcastle may have indicated. Educational Psychology course are My initial suggestion would be to worried that only white females are have two sentences on the voting paper: applying to train to become EPs one would be : ‘Should the United (Letters, May 2015) and wonder why. Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern There are, I suggest, two main Ireland remain a member of the EU?’; and reasons. the other ‘Should the United Kingdom of First, there would appear to be an Great Britain and Northern Ireland cease imbalance in terms of gender and race its membership of the EU?’. Voters would when young people are choosing their for those in training. Despite societal be asked to place an X alongside which of first degree. It is well known that changes in attitude, males are still these two options they prefer (rather than psychology undergraduates are perceived as the main earners, especially an X alongside the chosen one of two overwhelmingly white and female. those that are fathers, and clearly you printed options for Cameron’s single The second reason concerns funding. can’t bring up a family on £15,000. question with either a Yes or a No). Under present funding arrangements There may be changes in funding The research evidence is of only very young people usually in their mid- arrangements that would make it more slight differences connected with twenties are expected to train to become attractive for males to join EP training apparently cosmetic options – but they EPs on a salary of under £15,000. If at courses, but how to attract more males may turn out important in a heated this age you are settling down in a to study psychology in the first place is contest and should if possible be avoided. relationship and looking for a home beyond me. J.M. Wober or even planning to start a family, such Jeremy Swinson London NW3 remuneration is clearly insufficient. There Educational Psychologist is also an issue of loss of pension rights Formby, Liverpool

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 515 letters Two-fold nature of autism With regard to the recent correspondence restrictive and ritualistic behaviour, but a pair of stable human traits that are in The Psychologist regarding the diagnosis which tend to have a high frequency of more or less distributed throughout the of autism (Letters, December 2014, co-occurrence. It is therefore the degree of population, we can resolve the question March–May 2015), I would like to co-occurrence that results in autism being posed by Richard Hassall (Letter, May propose that all of the viewpoints erroneously regarded as a distinct clinical 2015) of whether there is a difference expressed, from the sceptical (Collins) entity. between having autism and having a to the orthodox (Jordan) via the confused Such a two-fold model of autism diagnosis of autism by referring to how (Hassall) could be reconciled by a basic currently underpins the current DSM-5 autistic someone is, rather in the manner change in the way in which autism is definition of autism, whilst that might refer to how tall a person is. conceptualised. The current acknowledging the possibility of the Hence, issues of diagnosis are essentially conceptualisation of autism is best separate occurrence of each set of traits, made redundant whilst still retaining an summed up in the phrase of the late both of which are readily measurable objective basis for determining clinical, Lorna Wing as being a ‘lumpy in themselves. In the case of impaired educational and social need. continuum’, in which autism is regarded social communication, this is measurable Dr Dougal Julian Hare CPsychol as having a two-fold nature, being both using the tools such as the Social School of Psychological Sciences a discrete, and hence diagnosable, Responsiveness Scale (Constantino et University of Manchester disorder, albeit one that falls short of al., 2003), whilst the trait of repetitive, the requirements of a syndrome, and restrictive and ritualistic behaviour is References simultaneously a set of traits that can be particularly amenable to measurement Constantino J.N., Davis S.A. Todd R.D. et al. (2003). identified independently of both general using instruments such as the Repetitive Validation of a brief quantitative measure of autistic cognitive ability and other identifiable Behaviour Scale (Moss et al., 2009). traits: Comparison of the Social Responsiveness developmental pathology. However, unlike Re-conceptualising autism as two co- Scale with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. the wave/particle dual nature of light, occurring traits also enables us to make Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, there do not appear to be any objective sense of the continuing difficulty in 33(4), 427–433. conditions for resolving under what identifying a specific aetiology or Happé, F. & Plomin, R. (2006). Time to give up on a circumstances autism is a category or a genotype for autism, an issue that is all single explanation for autism. Nature Neuroscience, trait! However, developments in the field the more surprising given the effort put 9(10), 1218–1220. of molecular genetics (Happé & Plomin, into this and the apparent ease with which Moss J., Oliver C., Arron K. et al. (2009). The prevalence 2006) lend support to the notion that the aetiologies of much rarer and phenomenology of repetitive behavior in autism is probably two genetically distinct developmental disorders and syndromes genetic syndromes. Journal of Autism and traits, namely impaired social have been identified. Developmental Disorders, 39, 572–588. communication abilities and repetitive, On this basis, if we regard autism as

I am sorry Richard Hassall according to that be a strong alert for autism, ‘autistic’ development to be (Letters, May 2015) is still interpretation. but it would be the nature of taken account of. Some confused about autism and Thus, behavioural those difficulties and their research has indicated that this even more that I am observation is vital but not course in the individual’s group may not develop a full apparently responsible for sufficient for determining development that would be obsessive type of ritual some of the confusion. I can needs in these cases; the key determiners of actual behaviour until late childhood see that it appears paradoxical observation has to be through diagnosis. and so they may fail to meet to claim that ‘diagnosis is not a the ‘lens’ of understanding of I am concerned about the rigidity criterion in DSM-5 good basis for services’ while how development occurs in some of the effects of DSM-5 and thus fail to gain an ASD still maintaining the value of autism. The ‘behavioural in making its now duo of diagnosis. diagnosis, so let me explain indicators’ of diagnostic diagnostic criteria compulsory Richard Hassall assumes further. systems alert one to the for an ASD diagnosis and thus (as do many others) that their Services should indeed possibility of autism (or making rigidity in behaviour needs will be met by being be individually based, but another condition) but the and thinking a determining included in the new ‘social- there are conditions (such as diagnostic decision puts those criterion. In DSM-IV there was communication disorder’ congenital blindness, cerebral indicators in the context of the a triad of criteria for ASD with category. However, this is palsy, autism) where developmental history of the the category PDD-NOS a category set up to cover development is atypical individual. The best diagnostic needing to score on only two children with similar social and thus where parents and tools (e.g. DISCO: Wing et al., of the three criteria. Since PDD and communication practitioners cannot just 2002) emphasise careful case is now gone from DSM-5, so behaviours to autism but ‘read’ individual needs from histories of development. In also has PDD-NOS. This with possibly very different observing behaviour. In such autism, one would be looking classification has always been developmental histories. cases, it is necessary to know for signs of early disturbance problematic (characterised It would cover those with the diagnosis to understand in instinctive responses to more meaningfully in ICD-10 pragmatic language disorders what the behaviour might social signals such as those as ‘atypical autism’), but where the social difficulties mean in the development of involved in joint attention and including these children may not be primary, but arise that individual. Treatment for response to one’s own name. within the broad category of from the communication the individual will vary ‘Complex social deficits’ would ASD did allow their possible problems. Where that is the

516 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 letters case, such a diagnosis will be misleading when it comes to Therapist self-disclosure interpreting the behaviour of those who would be better I found the article, ‘Opening up to disclosure’ Spinelli (2002) has commented, the issue is understood as being on the by Anna Ruddle and Sarah Dilks (June 2015) probably not about whether or not a therapist autism spectrum. Since this a refreshing reminder of the complex issue of should self-disclose but when should a therapist category is new, there will also how much, if at all, a therapist might choose self-disclose. In short, in what circumstances be few staff qualified to to reveal about themselves to a client. might self-disclosure offer a potential benefit to understand and work with Of course, therapists self-disclose the a client? This change of focus moves away from these children and the minute a client walks into the consulting room. any sense of a structured approach to self- outcome of these diagnostic The therapist’s wedding ring, for example, disclosure and requires the therapist to sense changes needs careful might have particular significance for a client the uniqueness of each individual client when monitoring if many more struggling with divorce or sexual identity. But, considering the possibilities for self-disclosure. children are not to ‘slip it is the purposeful act of self-disclosure that is And, at times, perhaps timing may be more through the net’ of services at the heart of the matter. important than content. and support. In my own early clinical training self- Whilst self-discourse can undoubtedly serve To answer the final disclosure was discouraged because it as a positive therapeutic factor, it also offers the question posed by Richard supposedly negated a potential useful source therapist an unhelpful avenue to self-indulgence Hassall, a diagnosis of autism of information, i.e. the client’s phantasies about cloaked in a belief that it is really for the good provides a signpost to the therapist. Storr (1990) offered a clear of clients. As Storr (1990) noted, therapists, just understanding the individual example of this issue in what he saw as a like clients want acceptance and understanding with autism. As we agreed in calamitous episode of self-disclosure by himself. but a psychotherapy session is not the place to the NIASA report on diagnosis A client, wracked with guilt over masturbation, fulfill such needs. (2003) where there are asked Storr whether he, the therapist, had ever Dr Alistair McBeath behavioural indications of masturbated. He replied in the affirmative, the Edinburgh autism but not a definite client never came back, and Storr saw it as diagnosis of the condition, it missed opportunity to explore the deeper References would be the ‘least damaging meaning and phantasies of the client’s inner Spinelli, E. (2002). On disclosure. In S. du Plock (Ed.) Further assumption’ for parents and world. He concluded that his self-disclosure existential challenges to psychotherapeutic theory and practitioners to help and had been anti-therapeutic; it served no purpose. practice (pp.52–67). London: Society for Existential Analysis. support the child as if they Therapists sometimes talk about self- Storr, A. (1990). The art of psychotherapy (2nd edn). Oxford: had autism, while disclosure in binary Butterworth-Heinemann. remembering that it may turn terms; you either do or out they do not after all. There you don’t. But, as is nothing in the good practice recommended for autism that would harm the development of others, whereas neglecting I was most interested exchange interpretations. to attend to the autism in a to read the article on We found that experimenter child with the condition is self-disclosure by SD tended to increase both most likely to lead to further Ruddle and Dilks (June subjects’ disclosure and their problems. The real issue is 2015). Although this rating of the experience. how to increase understanding phenomenon (formerly Once I advanced into of autism in diagnosticians with SD as its clinical practice and later and practitioners so that all abbreviation but clinical supervision, I found children can be included, seemingly now growing that the lack of ‘official’ recognising the importance an extra letter as TSD) interest in SD was not reflected of this understanding, while has been researched by numerous trainees over the basing resources on need quite extensively over years who, especially during determined through that the years, its roots in a, perhaps the, leading their early clinical placements, understanding. humanistic psychology researcher and academic in tended to be both curious and Rita Jordan have perhaps led to it being the field. He was a charismatic anxious about how much of Emeritus Professor in Autism regarded as somehow non- figure and a member of that themselves to bring to the Studies mainstream. In my years of quite rare species, a successful therapy session. They were University of Birmingham practice as a clinical left-wing American academic. aware of the value of the psychologist it has neither As an inky-fingered ‘therapeutic alliance’ but were References featured in training curricula undergraduate I was always interested to learn more National Initiative for Autism: Screening nor in academic lectures. introduced to his work by about some of the methods and Assessment (NIASA) (2003). The article did not John Davis, then at Sheffield they could use to foster it. National autism plan for children. mention the central, if now University, and under his So, having now retired London: National Autistic Society. rather historical, role of supervision undertook a from NHS practice, it is nice to Wing, L., Leekam, S.R., Libby, S.J. et al. the Canadian psychologist research project that attempted watch the world turn and see (2002). The Diagnostic Interview for Sidney Jourard to investigate some of the my long-term interest hit the Social & Communication Disorders. (www.sidneyjourard.com), components of SD by headlines in The Psychologist! Journal of Child Psychology and who until his untimely death attempting to distinguish Dr Adrian Skinner Psychiatry, 43(3), 303–325. in 1974 in a freak accident was between modelling and social Harrogate

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 517 letters

Who teaches the teachers?

The introduction to Silvester now know a good deal how and Wyatt’s article on developing our teaching and assessment political leaders (May 2015) approaches affect student quotes Robert Louis Stevenson’s learning outcomes. comments that politics is the More’s the pity then that ‘only profession for which no a good deal of teaching in preparation is deemed necessary’. psychology fails to reflect what I am not sure how Stevenson the evidence tells us about enjoyed his studies at the effective learning. To cite just University of Edinburgh, but the two most obvious I suspect his teachers there had no examples, the lecture still preparation whatsoever for their predominates in many pedagogical duties, other than departments, and assessment perhaps the didactic models of often relies far too much on their own lecturers. inauthentic formal Since the establishment of examinations. Psychology has education development centres and come a long way in adopting induction courses for new principles of evidence-based academics, the situation is perhaps professional practice. What a somewhat better today, but I would shame we have yet to achieve the contend that university teaching is still from accountancy to veterinary medicine. same standards when it comes to our largely an amateur affair. This is especially And it is doubly paradoxical in the case of teaching. ironic since universities maintain a psychology, given that the great bulk of Christopher Knapper PhD, FBPsS stranglehold on the preparation and research on effective teaching practices Professor Emeritus of Psychology credentialing almost every profession, has been done by psychologists, and we Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario

prize crossword no 82

The winner will receive a £50 BPS Blackwell Book Token. 1 2 3 4 5 6

If it’s you, perhaps you’ll spend it on something like this... 7 8

Psychopathology: Research, 9 10 Assessment and Treatment in Clinical Psychology (2nd edn) is designed to

provide students with a comprehensive 11 12 coverage of both psychopathology and clinical practice, including extensive treatment techniques for a range of mental health issues. The new edition 13 14 15 16 includes full coverage of DSM-5 17 diagnostic criteria and their implications. Price £46.99 18 19 20 21 ISBN 978-1-118-65933-5 Visit www.bpsblackwell.co.uk

22 23 24

25 name 26 27 address

Send your entry (photocopies accepted) marked ‘prize crossword’, to the Leicester office (see inside front cover) deadline 10 august 2015. Winner of prize crossword no 81 Myra Cooper, Oxford no 81 solution Across 1 Alcatraz, 5 Aleppo, 10 Trefoil, 11 Resized, 12 Shrink wrap, 13 Slur, 14 Metier, 17 In debt, 19 Facets, 20 Galaxy, 23 Mead, 24 Tabula rasa, 28 Amnesic, 29 Initial, 30 Abseil, 31 Inundate. Down 1 Autism, 2 Cheer, 3 Thorndike, 4 Aglow, 6 Lust, 7 Puzzle box, 8 Orders, 9 Dreaming, 15 Elaeagnus, 16 Research, 18 Dalmatian, 21 Impala, 22 Bailie, 25 Union, 26 Anima, 27 Asti.

518 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 letters Changing behaviours Sue Gerrard (Letters, June 2015) makes some useful comments on the behaviour change briefings reported in the BPS Annual Report for 2014. However, her view that the focus of the briefings by the Society’s Behaviour Change Advisory Group is almost entirely on individual behaviour is perhaps slightly overstated. The briefing on physical (in)activity presents an ecological model of the determinants of physical activity, which includes interpersonal, environmental, regional or national policy, and global influences. Inhibiting the marketing of credit to younger people, a measure recommended by the briefing on personal debt, targets the government and The remit for the behaviour change lack of evidence precludes making useful financial institutions rather than briefings specifies that they should show recommendations about how to bring individuals directly. Similarly, encouraging what psychology has to offer and that about complex change. manufacturers to make TVs without they should be evidence-based. While we Stephen Sutton a stand-by facility (energy conservation agree with the correspondent that policy On behalf of the Behaviour Change briefing) is not an individual behaviour making is about changing complex Advisory Group change intervention. systems as well as individual behaviour, www.bps.org.uk/behaviourchange

I across I down

1 Good person's substandard 1 Half-heartedly seem to overlook return to bring about reaction shenanigans with meaning (9) time demonstration (6,6) 2 Old Testament priest in church 9 Easily-influenced by male label artefact (5) at sea (9) 3 Effective with musical books (7) Connect… 10 So catch tailless swimmer in hat 4 Like some seamen coming up to (5) island? (4) 11 Almost swallow sailor's drink 5 Whistling noise in response to that's heavenly... (6) survey (8) 12 …sailor's in the drink (8) 6 Dismiss clerk (7) 13 Urge that's close to being 7 Finish knitting second clothing realised, we hear (6) already worn (4-4) 15 Looking down, farmer's corn 8 Does change final two parts of fully contained (8) medicinal measure (4) 18 Under strain to recall sweets (8) 14 Physical taking place about 20 Think about a boy four? That's fair (8) 22 Vessel needing to adjust sail 16 Left double gin mixed without …with near Irish islands (8) hesitation that's not going away The Psychologist 23 Cheerful rendezvous meeting (9) and the Society’s 17 Still get tranquillised (8) with latest (6) free Research 26 Make mark (5) 19 Tots move around and prepare 27 Guru has him confused with to fight (5,2) Digest service for Sharia (9) 21 Grass used to make paper more psychological 28 Learned response to stimulus produced a poster (7) news and analysis that improves shock, say (12) 22 Bachelor dips into trifle with beer mug (4) Follow us at tinyurl.com/thepsychomag and 24 For the most part, have a go at www.facebook.com/researchdigest being very musical (5) 25 Opportunity for injection (4) www.twitter.com/psychmag and www.twitter.com/researchdigest

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 519 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Two Day Courses

British Isles DBT Training are affiliated with the Linehan Institute and Behavioral Tech LLC

DBT® Skills Essentials 24-25 September 2015 SHEFFIELD Register at www.regonline.co.uk/Skills-Autumn 2015 This Skills Essentials workshop provides a brief, introductory overview of DBT followed by an in-depth look at the four skills used within the skills training component of DBT. DBT® Substance Misuse 22-23 October 2015 EDINBURGH Register at www.regonline.co.uk/Substance-2015 This workshop covers the modiﬁ cations made when applying Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to clients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and substance use disorders. Adapting your DBT Programme: Helping Emotionally Dysregulated & Suicidal Teens 3-4 December 2015 OXFORD Learn how to apply comprehensive DBT to an adolescent population to engage and retain clients.This training covers how to convey the biosocial theory of DBT to adolescents and families, describe dialectical dilemmas relevant to adolescents and families, and structure and run multi-family skills training groups. Register online at www.regonline.co.uk/Adolescents-2015 For more information, Early Bird and Group Discounts please visit our website or call +44(0) 800 056 8328

British Isles DBT Training, Croesnewydd Hall, Wrexham Technology Park, WREXHAM LL13 7YP +44(0) 800 056 8328 [email protected] www.dbt-training.co.uk

Wide-ranging cover including 24/7 legal and commercial assistance helpline. Therapeutic/ Professional Wills cover and full Directors and 2IƄFHUV/LDELOLW\2XUSULFHVKDYHEHHQKHOG IRU\HDUVDQGLQFOXGHFRYHUOHYHORSWLRQV 7KHSROLF\LVXQGHUZULWWHQE\+LVFR[ 2[\JHQEHOLHYHLQIDLUDQGUHDVRQDEOHSULFLQJ DQGXQOLNHZLWKVRPHSURYLGHUVWKHUHDUHQR administration fees and no hidden charges.

www.oxygeninsurance.com 3ULFHVTXRWHGLQFOXGHLQVXUDQFHSUHPLXPWD[DWDQGDUHVXEMHFWWRVWDWXV Contact Steve Johnson or one of his team directly on: 01274 760460 or email: [email protected] or visit: www.oxygeninsurance.com www.beaumonts-insurance.co.uk Oxygen, Oxygen Professional Risks and Oxygen Insurance are trading names of Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Ltd* (Reg no 00940512) and Beaumonts (Leeds) Ltd* (Reg no 01691009). Registered address: Hillside House, Bowling Hill, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6JX (Registered in England and Wales). *Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all products and services are regulated by the FCA.

520 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 THE SET IN 10TH HENHAM PARK EDITION SUFFOLK

16TH - 19TH JULY 2015

FESTIVAL

CARIBOU / JAMES BLAKE / MANIC STREET PREACHERS ALAN DAVIES / JON RICHARDSON / JASON MANFORD / JACK DEE’S HELP DESK NINA CONTI / ROB DELANEY / KATHERINE RYAN / SARA PASCOE / TIM KEY / MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE KNEEHIGH / PAINES PLOUGH / NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE / RUBY WAX: SANE NEW WORLD

OPERA NORTH / UNDER MILK WOOD / NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY ANDAND THE PORTRAIT CHOIR SIMON ARMITAGE / DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE / MICHAEL ROSEN / BLAKE MORRISON ALEXANDER MCQUEEN : SAVAGE BEAUTY / MATT HAIG / HANIF KUREISHI / PATRICK BARKHAM

THE PSYCHOLOGIST ANDAND WELLCOME TRUST PRESENTPRESENT

FIONA NEILL ANDAND PROFESSOR SARAH-JAYNE BLAKEMORE IN CONVERSATION CHAIRED BY DR JON SUTTON, THE PSYCHOLOGIST

‘BEING YOUNG NEVER GETS OLD - TEENAGERS DEBUNKED’

PLUS MANY MORE MUSIC AND ARTS ACTS ACROSS THE WEEKEND

MUSICMUSIC / CCOMEDYOMEDY / TTHEATREHEATRE / DDANCEANCE OONN TTHEHE WWATERFRONTATERFRONT / FFILMILM / PPOETRYOETRY / LLITERATUREITERATURE / CCABARETABARET / SSCIENCECIENCE / AARTRT / LLAKEAKE SSWIMMINGWIMMING / SSOLASOLAS

FORFOR LINE-UPLINE-UP VISITVISIT WWW.LATITUDEFESTIVAL.CO.UKWWW.LAATTITUDEFESTIVVAAL.CO.UK | TICKETSTICKETS FROMFROM SEETICKETS.COMSEETICKETS.COM / 08710871 231231 08460846

CALLSCALLS CCOSTOST 110P0P PPLUSLUS NNETWORKETWORK CCHARGES.HARGES. BBILLILL SSUBJECTUBJECT TTOO CCHANGEHANGE

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 521 NEWS Will proposed legislation ‘end brain research’? The new Conservative government’s legislation plans for the commentary harms ability to have a grown up debate; foghorn year were unveiled during the Queen’s Speech to Parliament negotiations unhelpful in shaping policy.’ in May. Several of the bills involved psychological issues, James Rucker, a lecturer in psychiatry at King’s College including the Policing and Criminal Justice Bill, which would, London, argued in the British Medical Journal among other things, ban the use of police cells for detaining (www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h2902) that psychedelic drugs mentally ill people under the Mental Health Act. should be legally reclassified so that researchers can investigate However the Psychoactive Substances Bill in particular has their therapeutic potential. ‘Hundreds of papers, involving tens sparked an interesting and developing debate. This legislation of thousands of patients, presented evidence for their use as would lead to a ban on so-called ‘legal highs’, which would ban psychotherapeutic catalysts of mentally beneficial change.’ He trade in ‘any substance intended for human consumption that told The Guardian the government was repeating the mistakes is capable of producing a psychoactive effect’ (although the bill of history, warning that the new law ‘centres around the self- adds that ‘substances such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, food reinforcing fallacy of legally defining a drug as having no and medicinal products would be accepted medical use without the evidence that there excluded from the scope of the offence’). really is no medical use for it… UK pharmaceutical Professor David Nutt, former research into psychiatric disorders has rapidly government chief drugs adviser, spoke to diminished over the last decade or so anyway, and The Guardian about his concerns over the this regulation will not help. We derive no benefit new legislation and said it could lead to from this approach. It stymies research and we are the pre-emptive ban of potentially useful unlikely to be able to discover which of these new substances (tinyurl.com/poq78aq). He psychoactive substances might have medical benefits.’ stated: ‘It’s going to end brain research in The government has claimed, in the form of a this country. It will be disastrous. The statement from Mike Penning, Minister of State at the ban on legal highs has been very Home Office, that ‘this new legislation will not stop destructive to research into Parkinson’s any legitimate scientific research on such substances’. and into anti-smoking drugs.’ Nutt In any case, there seems little prospect of a U-turn on said the only drug for Parkinson’s is the bill, with Penning announcing that the ‘landmark’ a cathinone (a class of drugs including bill will ‘fundamentally change the way we tackle new mephedrone which was banned in 2010), psychoactive substances – and put an end to the game of and that we had already seen a ‘massive impediment cat and mouse in which new drugs appear on the market more to research of interesting compounds by current law’. quickly than government can identify and ban them. The Not everyone is in agreement that the legislation will have blanket ban will give police and other law enforcement such a disastrous effect. Parkinson’s UK denied Nutt’s claim, agencies greater powers to tackle the reckless trade in with a spokesperson telling The Guardian: ‘There are a number psychoactive substances, instead of having to take a substance- of Parkinson’s drugs of different classes. We have never heard by-substance approach.’ of Parkinson’s drugs from the cathinone class.’ And John But others question the practicalities of this. Writing on Williams, Head of Science Strategy, Performance and Impact the Mindhacks blog (tinyurl.com/ot4pugu) psychologist Dr at the Wellcome Trust, took to Twitter to warn: ‘Overstated Vaughan Bell said that within the Home Secretary’s letter which accompanied the proposed changes lay a ‘little pharmacological gem’. He said the list of banned drugs had become so long the government had banned: ‘[any] substance [that] produces a NEUROPSYCHOLOGY PRIZE psychoactive effect in a person if, by stimulating or depressing the person’s central nervous system, it affects the person’s OPPORTUNITIES mental functioning or emotional state’. Bell pointed out that as new drugs are arriving on the scene at around the rate of The Encephalitis Society is offering two awards of interest to one per week if police are confronted with an unknown white neuropsychology students. The Professor Barbara Wilson, OBE powder, the only reliable way to identify it as psychoactive is Neuropsychology Essay Prize is offered for the best student to take it – as it is difficult to predict what a drug will do to (postgraduate) essay on any aspect of the neuropsychology of the brain from its chemical structure. encephalitis. Winner prize: £500 and an elective onto The Encephalitis He wrote: ‘Interestingly, this means both the manufacturers Society Professional Advisory Panel for one year. Runner-up prize: of new psychoactive compounds and the UK government will £250. The Johnny Sutton Student Travel Bursary is awarded for the have the same problem. Because you can’t do a chemical test best student (undergraduate and postgraduate) travel project with on a new drug and say for sure it’s psychoactive, and animal relevance to encephalitis. Winner prize: £500. tests won’t give you a definite answer, someone has to take it to The deadline for entries is 1 October 2015. The winners will be find out. Grey market labs in China and Eastern Europe solve announced at The Encephalitis Society’s Professional Seminar on this problem by, well, getting someone to take the drugs. 7 December 2015. Christ knows what the Government are going to do.’ ER I For further information on criteria and submission go to I Read what other experts think of the Psychoactive Substances www.encephalitis.info Bill – tinyurl.com/o5s976f. The Bill was debated in the Lords on 9 June: tinyurl.com/ookpla2

522 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 news J OHAN P Folie à deux ERSSON An opera that started as a collaboration Composer of the between composer and psychiatrist, and piece, Emily Hall, said presents the electric tale of a madness the idea for the shared by two, comes to the UK next production came out month. Its creator, Emily Hall, has also of a conversation she drawn on the talents of the Icelander Sjón, had with her friend, who has written songs for Björk. The the psychiatrist Lisa performance at Spitalfields Music Festival Conlan. She said she was its London premiere. became fascinated The tale, produced with the Mahogany with the condition and Opera Group, centres around the rare she and Lisa began to psychiatric condition ‘folie à deux’, from plan out the framework of the opera I speak about may seem the same to some which it also takes its title. This condition together. people.’ Lisa mentioned folie à deux to involves two people who begin to share She added: ‘We began doing Emily when she knew her friend was the same delusion. In this case a happy workshops with the Mahogany Opera looking for new inspiration: she said she couple’s lives are taken over by an Group, and it just felt like folie à deux realised the scope and possibilities such electricity pylon – the man begins to was a really strong basis for an opera. Sjón a condition created for an artist. believe it has a special hold over him, came up with the idea of using an She added: ‘It just struck me as and his partner starts to think the same. electricity pylon as central to the delusion idea you could do so much with. It’s The ethereal lyrics will be and it seemed to have such strong a condition that, although you don’t see complemented by a specially-built electro- aesthetic and sonic possibilities.’ very often in clinical practice, you hear magnetic harp which emits the haunting Lisa Conlan, who works with the about. Patients have told me about hum of the pylon, the third character in South London and Maudsley NHS members of families developing the same the production, using so-called e-bows on Foundation Trust, has been involved symptoms.’ Dr Conlan said being so resonating strings. The final production throughout the creation of the production closely involved with the production includes six songs, performed by Swedish as a psychiatric adviser and collaborator, had been ‘amazing’: ‘It’s been especially voice artist Sofia Jernberg and Icelandic as well as a fascinated onlooker. ‘The fascinating as someone from such a tenor Finnur Bjarnason, accompanied by composition of these beautiful sounds different background. I have no real acoustic harp as well as the electro- always seems like a miracle to me,’ she formal understanding of music so it’s magnetic harp. told us. ‘But then I suppose the things been a privilege,’ she said. ER A cite more surprising

A new study of more than one associated with a significant building an argument and writing advice, other findings million journal abstracts has decrease in citations. writing a paper, the limiting from the research don’t seem revealed, despite often-heard Another often-cited tip step is the ability to find the that surprising – such as that suggestions to the contrary, is to use the present tense. right article.’ signalling the novelty and that articles with longer Weinberger found that this They suggested that a importance of the work and abstracts with long sentences was only useful in psychology more likely explanation for using pleasant, active and easy are cited more often. The and biology, while having a their findings are that when to imagine words is associated report, published in PLoS negative impact in chemistry searching for articles scientists with more citations.’ Computational Biology, also and physics. Matching rely heavily on search engines, Dr Jarrett added: ‘Because found those articles that used keywords to words in the where longer and more this research used scholarly more adjectives and adverbs in abstract also led to negative specific abstracts are favoured citations as its outcome abstracts had more citations. results while emphasising the – longer prose is simply more measure, it’s arguably more Cody Weinberger importance and novelty of the available for search. about the way scientists (University of Chicago), and article had positive effects. Editor of the British communicate with each other. colleagues, examined 10 tips The authors concluded Psychological Society Research It would be interesting to see if often given to scientific in their discussion that these Digest Blog Dr Christian and how the writing style used researchers and asked whether results may reflect the fact Jarrett said the headline result in scientific papers is related to following these tips actually that scientists have different of the research, that studies their influence on mainstream led to more eventual citations. preferences for what they with longer abstracts get cited culture.’ ER The list included tips such as, would like to read versus what more often, did appear to I To read the research paper keep it concise, keep it short they are going to cite. They contradict the received visit tinyurl.com/olcqn8s; for and keep it simple. Their wrote: ‘Despite the fact that wisdom that it is better to Simon Oxenham and Jon results revealed an unexpected anybody in their right mind write as succinctly as possible. Sutton’s in-depth feature on finding: that around half of the would prefer to read short, He added: ‘Despite the bad writing from the March tips given to academic writers simple, and well-written prose promotion of the study as 2015 issue, see about clarity and brevity are with few abstruse terms, when overturning most science tinyurl.com/pmxoeaf

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 523 news

Quenching a thirst for knowledge Ella Rhodes reports from a Pint of Science Festival event held in Birmingham in May

A group of science lectures held in pubs into a new hook. moving any paddles to across UK cities included three nights of Dr Chappell said: ensure the food fell into psychology and neurobiology talks in ‘This crow had the correct hole. On this Birmingham. The Pint of Science Festival seen a hook and advance planning task takes place in nine countries and 50 cities used a hook, but only one of the across the same three nights, and on the she had never participants performed second evening the audience heard two seen one made. above chance. In talks on animals and children. She created a new another condition all the Jackie Chappell, from the School tool manufacture paddles were straight, so of Biosciences at the University of technique.’ if the monkey turned Birmingham, began by outlining what Not only can the wrong paddle it creativity means from an animal research animals use would simply fall onto perspective, saying it involves looking inanimate objects the shelf below. The apes into how animals use their brains to adapt as tools, orang- performed much more to their environment. Chappell went on utans have been reliably in this to say that testing animal creativity can be observed using condition. problematic: the usual approach is to give their own young Dr Chappell an animal a problem to solve that they to help them concluded her have not encountered before and that will retrieve food fascinating talk by test their creativity rather than simply from hard-to- saying that animals showing that an animal can learn with reach places. In could be very creative enough training and exposure. another study and flexible in their New Caledonian Crows have been bonobos and thinking; however, proving widely studied for their use of tools in orang-utans were presented with a see- this could be difficult. She also said that the wild, and Chappell described an through box containing eight paddles although advanced planning could be experimental study showing they can be which the animal could turn to make difficult for animals, humans can struggle flexible in their thinking. One female food fall through a hole at the bottom: with this at times as well. crow was given a clear cylinder there were several other places the food Next, Sarah Beck, from the School containing a small bucket of food as well could fall where the ape would not be of Psychology at the University of as a straight and hooked piece of wire. able to retrieve it. In one condition of the Birmingham, spoke about imagination However when the male crow stole the study, which tested advanced planning, all in children, its purpose and whether hook, Betty, as she was called, simply paddles were placed on the diagonal – the children can use it in the same way as picked up the straight wire and bent it animal would need to plan ahead before adults. Children, she said, have some of the most active imaginations of any age group, which can be seen in their imaginary friends and pretend play. Much of Beck’s work has been into counterfactual thinking, the process by which adults imagine how the current world might be different if we had made different choices. At what point do children begin to use counterfactual thinking? Beck told children a scenario – that after their mother has taken some chocolate from the cupboard to use in baking a cake, she puts it in a drawer. The children were then asked where the chocolate would be if she had not baked the cake. While four- and five-year-olds find this task easy, three-year-olds will say the chocolate will be in the drawer. Beck asked why younger children might find this task so difficult, and she used another task to test this. In this other experiment children are presented with a bear puppet and dragon puppet and told to do what the bear says but ignore the

524 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 news dragon’s instructions. Again, three-year- Belli also spoke about the worrying said, with repeated large doses of alcohol olds find this very hard. role of multiple concussions in the chronic effects can lead to loss of Children who struggle on the puppet neurodegeneration. In mice it has been brain volume, psychiatric problems and task find the counterfactual thinking task shown that multiple concussions leads to stroke. hard too. Beck suggested their difficulty the accumulation of proteins that are seen Dr Mitchell said alcohol, being one may be due to a lack of inhibition and on in neurodegenerative disorders such as of the three most commonly used drugs the first task being able to inhibit their Alzheimer’s disease. Neurodegenerative (along with caffeine and nicotine), is the knowledge that the chocolate ended up in conditions are also seen appearing in most dangerous from a neurological the drawer. She concluded that while much younger professional American perspective. He then went on to explain children have very good and expansive football players than in the general how alcohol works on an area associated imaginations they are less good at using population. with reward – the ventral tegmental area, their imaginations to solve tasks and However Belli was quick to point out as well as reducing responses to fear due think about alternative worlds. She said: that, in general, these players live longer to its action on the amygdala. ‘Children are both brilliant and rubbish at than the general population, showing Interestingly, alcohol also affects the using their imagination.’ there is no need to give up an active prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for On the final day of the Pint of lifestyle for fear of concussion. He added: executive functions such as planning and Science Festival Tony Belli, a trained ‘A lot of this sounds alarming, but people organising as well as inhibition of certain neurosurgeon and Reader in Neurotrauma get a lot of benefits from an active lifestyle behaviours in a social context. Mitchell (University of Birmingham) spoke about but at the same time we can mitigate the then tested the, presumably slightly tipsy, some startling research into concussion in effects of traumatic brain injury.’ He audience on their executive function sport. He said research into the longer- added that it was important to be more using a sentence completion test. Half the term effects of sport concussions has aware of concussions and to train people audience were told to complete the become of huge interest, particularly in to recognise if they have sustained one sentence in the conventional way while American football. and to monitor the effects of concussion the other half were asked to come up One of the main issues with more closely. with a novel way to finish the sentence. concussions is that many athletes do not Appropriately enough, the final talk ‘He would often stop at the pub on his realise they have sustained one: they in the Pint of Science Festival Beautiful way home from work and enjoy a pint expect to lose consciousness but this is Minds section was from Ian Mitchell of…’ The novel group found it very not always a result of being concussed, (University of Birmingham) around the difficult to inhibit the conventional Professor Belli said. He went on to say effects of alcohol on the brain. He began response, ‘beer’, and come up with that, worryingly, concussions are by speaking about the well-known acute a different ending to the sentence – increasing year on year and the most effects of alcohol, caused by a one-night Mitchell explained while under the dangerous sport for them is cycling. binge, which are reversible. However, he influence of alcohol it is harder to However, he insisted ignore the almost automatic response that there was no need for to finishing the sentence, a failure of mass panic or for people inhibition. to give up sport Next under discussion was the ‘beer completely. The number goggles’ effect. Mitchell said by having of catastrophic injuries in participants rate pictures of faces for sport is small, and one attractiveness while drunk and sober we solution is to approach the can see people are seen as around 10 per treatment of concussions cent more attractive when an observer is with more care. Belli said drunk. However, interestingly, this effect it was difficult for club only applies to a person’s own racial doctors to spot ingroup. concussions and a vast Of course, the effects of alcohol majority are not reported even in the short term can be worrying. or not recognised as Theory of mind, or the ability to concussion. Some of this understand the intentions or emotions lack of reporting may be of other people, is badly affected by due to an athlete’s fear of drink. Indeed, some of Mitchell’s own losing playing time, and test subjects who drank three bottles in some sports there is of wine each a night had deficits in this a culture of ‘bravery’ and area comparable to those caused by returning to play as soon dementia. as possible. However, Mitchell pointed out that the official advice is that potential for misunderstandings when adults should not return lacking theory of mind were numerous to play until at least six and could be quite concerning. He days after concussion, and concluded that alcohol was a friend on children at least three one level – it makes people friendlier weeks. Of all concussions with their ingroup and reduces fear and around 80 to 90 per cent anxiety. However, it can be a foe – it get better very quickly but makes us less attracted to outgroups, and 2 to 4 per cent will never can increase aggression in people who get fully better. have a predisposition for aggression.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 525 news Ireland’s gay marriage referendum In a historic move Irish citizens voted only repealed the Victorian law against days people are far more likely to say they to legalise gay marriage in the first sodomy in 1993 the country’s attitudes know someone who is lesbian, gay or referendum of its kind. The largely towards gay marriage have been bisexual, and this is true in lots of places. Catholic country, which legalised sodomy ‘transformed’ over the past two decades. This is really important for changing just 22 years ago, is just one of many Professor Hegarty said that social attitudes towards gay rights and countries where a shift in attitudes psychologists were very aware that for marriage,’ he said. towards LGBT people can Ireland’s population is relatively be seen. small and extremely interconnected B

Peter Hegarty RIAN culturally, Hegarty said this may be (University of Surrey) another reason that attitudes have L is a researcher in gender AWLESS taken a dramatic shift. He added that and sexuality, history of the yes campaign encouraged people psychology and social /PA W to open up a dialogue about gay

psychology. He is also IRE marriage among their friends and a former chair of the BPS older relatives, to make the Psychology of Sexualities conversation and topic more Section. He said as he has accessible. been in a civil partnership One of the most notable aims of for six years and is an the yes campaign was to challenge Irish citizen, the heteronormativity – or the belief that referendum was heterosexual relationships are the only particularly important to ‘normal’ or acceptable kind of him, he added: ‘It’s been relationship. Hegarty gave examples of fantastic for Ireland in a In Dublin crowds celebrated the historic vote two videos in particular which challenged number of ways.’ this idea. He outlined some of One, called Sinead’s Hand, shows the reasons prejudices towards the LGBT attitude change to happen personal a man wandering the streets of Ireland community seem to be shifting and gave contact with a discriminated-against knocking on the door of each house and examples of the yes campaign’s use of group was vital. ‘Over the last 25 years asking whether he can have Sinead’s hand social psychology in the run-up to the we’ve seen a real shift when carrying out in marriage. The video ends with the referendum. He said that although Ireland surveys of heterosexual people. These caption ‘How would you feel if you had to ask 4 million people to get married?’ In the second video a taxi driver is shown on a hidden camera ranting to real customers about heterosexual couples, PETITION TO LOG BIRTH MARKS how they breed too much and how he would not accept one in his cab. Hegarty A health psychologist has been involved in launching an online petition calling for earlier said: ‘These videos were all about turning recognition and recording of a marker of what she describes as possibly the ‘most common the lens around. And it’s wonderful to see rare genetic disorder’. Light-brown ‘café au lait’ patches (CALs) are a phenotypic marker of that there’s some really good social the neurogenetic condition neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which cause tumours to grow on psychology being used on the ground nerve endings and affects around one in 3000 people. and effecting social change. The Irish yes The condition can also lead to a wide variety of psychological and physical complications campaign was really smart about including learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, bone problems and disfigurement. challenging heteronormativity at an Despite CALs being an obvious marker, late diagnosis is sometimes due to lack of knowledge almost cognitive level.’ of the condition. The BPS Psychology of Sexualities Chartered Psychologist Dr Carly Jim (Manchester Metropolitan University), whose own Section is involved in a great deal of daughter Ellie has the condition, said many health professionals have never heard of NF1, and social and attitudinal change work CALs are often seen as bruises. She said this misdiagnosis of the marks has led to cases of including the signing of a memorandum parents being accused of child abuse. against conversion therapy earlier this Dr Jim and her friend Vanessa Martin, whose child also has NF1, launched a petition to year. In a previous life, as the Lesbian and incorporate a body map into the child health record (red book) which, she said, would serve Gay Psychology Section, its members as a flag if CALs are identified and ensure referral to the appropriate services. were involved in writing a statement in Jim said Vanessa Martin had worked diligently to have the campaign recognised and it the Kitzinger Wilkinson case in the has been debated in the House of Lords. Jim’s own research as a health psychologist has supreme court – in which Celia Kitzinger looked into the condition, and she said: ‘I provided her [Vanessa] with a letter detailing the and Sue Wilkinson attempted to have issues for her to use as part of her pack to Parliament. I have also been consistently their marriage, which took place in supporting her in an advisory role using my extensive knowledge of the condition and my British Columbia, recognised as a research and psychological background.’ ER marriage in England. ER I To sign the petition visit tinyurl.com/nvzvlke; to visit the Neuro Foundation website see I Sinead’s Hand video: tinyurl.com/q3mh9xh tinyurl.com/mqlwcp4; Heterophobic Taxi Driver video: tinyurl.com/qhsb2tt

526 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 news

5 minutes with… LESIONS IN THE LANDSCAPE Dr Lisa Cameron, newly elected Scottish National Party MP for A collaboration between artist, neuropsychologists and patient the constituency of East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow which explores the devastating impacts of amnesia, drawing parallels between the sudden evacuation of St Kilda, comes to Liverpool this autumn. Lesions in the Landscape, by Danish-born artist Shona What’s your background in Illingworth, is a new multi-screen installation that explores amnesia psychology? I trained as a as well as the erasing of individual and cultural memory. clinical psychologist and then Illingworth has looked at the all-encompassing effects of amnesia went on to specialise in on one woman, Claire, with help from neuropsychologists Martin A. forensic and clinical Conway (City University) and Catherine Loveday (University of psychology. I have worked at Westminster). Illingworth has worked with and filmed Claire, who, the high secure unit (State following a trauma to her brain can no longer remember most of her Hospital) as a consultant and past, create new memories or recognise anyone – not even herself. in the forensic service at NHS However a new sensory-operated camera worn around her neck can GG& Clyde. I am an help her access some memories from recent events in bursts of accredited risk assessor with intense recollection. the Risk Management Dr Loveday, who had been working clinically for eight years with Authority (Scotland) and with Claire (see ‘Big Picture’, February 2011: tinyurl.com/bigpicfeb11), said the Scottish Court service in she had learned more about amnesia during her involvement with relation to provision of education and occupational Illingworth’s work than she had in 20 years of clinical and scientific evidence and expert reports aspects of policy. As a scientist work. She said: ‘Shona is known for producing artwork that presents in cases of historical abuse. practitioner we have a unique people’s experience in a sensitive but raw and very evocative way, and I have a BA Hons Psychology ability to critique research in this work she wanted to find ways people could connect like this (Strathclyde University), MSc papers/policies and to apply with the experience of amnesia. Being involved with this project has Psychology & Health (Stirling them to practice. I hope to made me a really big fan of multidisciplinary collaborations – it has University) and DClinPsy utilise these skills in changed the way I work with Claire clinically. Shona asks Claire really (Glasgow University). committee work and in interesting, searching questions and encourages her to use questioning the government alternative artistic means to express her memories in a different way.’ How did you move from that and holding them to account. Illingworth saw a parallel between the sudden end to Claire’s into parliament? I became access to her memories and the evacuation of the inhabitants of the interested more avidly in What are you expecting remote Scottish archipelago of St Kilda on 29 August 1930, ending politics during the Scottish psychologically from your over 2000 years of continuous habitation. She saw that both marked Referendum debate. We had socialisation as an MP? Much an abrupt and irreversible lesion in a cultural landscape. a local group of Psychologists of politics is fundamentally For her project, Illingworth took Claire to St Kilda, where she for Yes and I was active in the psychology in my view. As filmed her, and the installation presents three video projections along local community in relation psychologists, we have an with an array of 20 loud speakers, which aims to create a fully to the Yes campaign more ability to analyse situations, immersive sound environment of voice, engineered and ambient generally. I am a member of appraise individuals’/parties’ sounds. Illingworth has aimed to create a layered composition where the Scottish National Party, motives and personality the sounds of thousands of calling gannets is underscored by and was a trade union drivers and to think through intermittent sounds of EEG signals that capture the landscape of representative with Unite for issues of social influence. Claire’s amnesia. 14 years. I have a long-held In relation to socialisation as Loveday said: ‘In this work we all very much see Claire as a vital interest in social justice, an MP, Westminster is truly part of the team, she was there sharing her knowledge with us about inequality and issues of unique and it is important the experience of living with amnesia. We all have some expertise, but discrimination. I moved into to maintain a sense of self only Claire really knows what having amnesia feels like. I really hope Parliament as an MP this year outwith politics so that one Shona’s work will help people to connect with the experience of as you know after the general does not become amnesia in a completely different way.’ election campaign in my institutionalised or lose touch Alongside the installation an ongoing series of Amnesia Forums hometown of East Kilbride. with constituents and the will examine the politics of memory, amnesia and cultural erasure Scottish voters were keen to reasons that you were elected. through discussion between artists, scientists, writers and elect people who were not It is about serving other researchers. This feeds directly into the Amnesia Museum, a growing career politicians but those people, a privilege and body of work that maps out the landscape of amnesia. It draws who brought valuable responsibility in my view and together film, photography, drawings and documents, as well as a 32- experience from other realms therefore a sense of integrity is speaker sonification of Claire’s EEG and neuropsychological diagrams including the NHS. fundamental. As psychologists describing the impact of the lesion on her memory. we can analyse our own After premiering at FACT in Liverpool from September 17 until Will you be trying to take reactions (and others) and are November 22, Lesions in the Landscape will tour to the UNSW psychological evidence into aware of the importance of Galleries in Sydney, Australia, the Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and policy? How else might you maintaining a healthy balance Art Gallery in the Outer Hebrides and finally to Dilston Grove & CGP use your background in your and family contact. I hope that Gallery in London. An accompanying book will be published in the new role? It is important to my skills will help me both to autumn of 2016. ER consider the role of adapt and to buffer the stresses psychology in health, of parliamentary life.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 527 Why it’s a mistake to seek DIGEST control of your life through solitude

The true story of Christopher candidate’s party and how much control McCandless, dramatised in the 2007 they felt they had over their own lives. Is CBT for depression losing its film Into the Wild, is a search for radical After Obama’s victory, Obama voters who independence that culminates in had a stronger bond with his Democratic efficacy? McCandless’s solitary existence in the party felt more in control of their lives. wilds of Alaska. It speaks to a powerful Little surprise perhaps: their man had In Psychological Bulletin belief: to feel you control your life, stand won. But voters with a strong Republican identity also experienced a post-election Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has increase in their sense of personal many advantages for treating depression. control. Although the Republicans had a Among them, the fact that it’s easy to case to feel disempowered, simply being standardise, it’s intuitive and it can deliver in bed with something bigger made them results relatively quickly (think weeks, not feel more capable than voters with a years as some other therapies demand). For weaker collective identity. many people with depression, it’s also far Another much larger study looked at more acceptable than the prospect of taking how 62,000 people across 47 countries mind-altering drugs. But now the bad news: identified with their local community, CBT’s efficacy seems to be declining. national group, or as part of the human That’s the suggestion of a new meta- race. Whichever level the researchers analysis (tinyurl.com/nnjv4py) that has looked at, feeling part of a group was looked at outcome data from 70 studies associated with feeling more personal published between 1977 and 2014 and control, and this effect was associated involving more than 2426 people diagnosed with higher levels of wellbeing. with depression (unipolar depression, not Finally, an experiment involving 300 bipolar). Across studies, 31 per cent of the American adults showed that momentary participants were male; the average age of manipulations of how we feel towards participants was 41. In Journal of Personality and Social Psychology a larger group influences feelings of To allow comparison over time, Tom personal control and wellbeing. Half the Johnsen and Oddgeir Friborg chose to participants were led to connect with focus only on studies that used the Beck alone. But new research suggests their national identity by asking them to Depression Inventory or the Hamilton otherwise: to feel control, stand together. assess statements about America that Depression Rating Scale – two popular If committing to a group feels like were either positive and reasonable measures that involve the patient or surrendering control, reasoned (therefore easy to endorse) or negative therapist, respectively, providing scores of Katharine Greenaway and her and unreasonable. These participants the patient’s depression. Looking at the collaborators, we might expect some went on to report significantly greater effect of CBT on adults’ depression scores impact on wellbeing, as humans and feelings of personal control and greater using either of these scales (i.e. by animals alike thrive from autonomy and life satisfaction in that moment. They comparing scores pre- vs. post-therapy), are distressed when they lose it. But also reported lower depression in the the researchers found a linear and steady group membership is robustly associated past week suggesting either that the reduction in the therapy’s apparent efficacy with life satisfaction, and while other effect can time-travel, or that their view over time. Simply put, CBT doesn’t seem to researchers have sought to explain this of the past was coloured by a rush of be helping reduce depression symptoms as as owing to social support or boosts to national pride. much today as it used to when it was first self-esteem, Greenaway’s team The notion of individualism is actually developed in the 1970s. suspected that identifying with a group a fairly recent development for humanity, This main finding held true even when actually makes people feel more in an exquisitely social species that owes its the researchers focused on certain types of control. After all, personal control means success to our capacity to collaborate and study – such as analysing only those that more than not being interfered with, it coordinate actions (this may even be the involved a control group. The finding can’t includes the capacity to do what matters. reason we developed conscious be explained by a general change in Greenaway’s team predicted that merely awareness). This new research suggests people’s ability to recover from depression: identifying as part of a group may make our group identities are a continued there was no comparable decline in change people feel more capable. source of our sense of agency and scores among participants in control groups To test this, they collected data control. A life alone on the Alaskan who didn’t receive CBT. Nor is it the case shortly after the 2012 US election, asking tundra may offer many things, but we can that recent studies, more than older 129 American adults who they voted for, find our own forms of freedom right here studies, tended to involve depressed how strongly they identified with that among the people we know. AF patients who also had other mental health problems (in fact the opposite is true).

528 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 digest

efficacy was actually steeper for trials disorders. In recent times, however, an involving manualised CBT – so it’s not the increasing number of studies…have not case that more modern trials have simply found this method to be superior to other become sloppier in their CBT methods. techniques. Coupled with the increasing So, why is CBT apparently losing its availability of such information to the public, power to help people with depression? including the Internet, it is not inconceivable Johnsen and Friborg can only speculate. that patients’ hope and faith in the efficacy Changes in therapist competence (e.g. One suggestion they have is that CBT is of CBT has decreased somewhat, in recent their level of training) also can’t explain somehow losing its placebo effect over time: decades. Moreover, whether widespread the declining trend in CBT efficacy. And to ‘In the initial phase of the cognitive era, knowledge of the present meta-analysis debunk one last potential explanation, the CBT was frequently portrayed as the gold results might worsen the situation, remains researchers point out that the decline in standard for the treatment of many an open question.’ CJ

Metalheads from the 80s are thriving

In Self and Identity

If you sell your soul to heavy metal do you pay for it later in life? During the 1980s, waves of adolescents found solace in this most notorious of extreme music subcultures, alarming their parents as well as authority figures including the US surgeon general and the campaigner and Second Lady Tipper Gore. But a new survey suggests that in 2015, the teenage metalheads from the 80s are doing all right. This matters because early research seemed to back the prevailing panic: metalheads were fatalistic, cynical, manipulative, and struggled at school. It would become clear that this account failed to consider that many fans were misfits with complicated home lives before metal entered the picture, and ignored clusters of very high-functioning metalheads drawn to the music by its complexity. But even later researchers were reluctant to endorse On the whole, the heavy metal musicians did better than most heavy metal, optimistic only that fans will eventually ‘outgrow the other groups in the study (the heavy metal fans and non-metal subculture’. control participants), suggesting they were a high-functioning group The current research, spearheaded by Humbolt State – able to master complex musicianship and make a career out of the University’s Tasha Howe, recruited metalheads active in the 1980s thing they most loved. The big risk factor for them was unprotected by using Facebook. These were 99 fans, together with about 20 sex – one third had contracted an STD, unsurprising seeing as they musicians and a similar number of groupies. Compared to a control averaged over 300 partners each over their lifetimes. group of a similar age (into pop, new wave, or soft rock), the heavy By sampling only current Facebook users we can’t get a metal groupies and fans (but not musicians) reported more adverse complete picture: whether metal increased the risk of premature childhood experiences, fitting with the idea that people are often death, for instance. But the research suggests that the typical fan drawn to the difficult themes and tone of metal because of real-life wasn’t harmed by big hair, blast beats and guitar solos; on the discord; the groupies were particularly prone to suicidal tendencies. contrary, for many young people, the moshpit was exactly where they Considering their early difficult circumstances, how did the needed to be. AF heavy-metal groups fare psychologically over time? Much as their non-metal peers did. Based on the recently taken measures, no differences were found compared with controls in adult attachment, The material in this section is taken from the Big Five personality traits, or hypomania. A statistical technique the Society’s Research Digest blog at called Bayes factors can show how likely it is that the null hypothesis www.researchdigest.org.uk/blog, and is written by its was true, meaning the lack of effect is because there really is no editor Dr Christian Jarrett and contributor Dr Alex difference between groups rather than because of small samples. Fradera. The Bayes factors confirmed that for most of these individual differences, the case for ‘no difference’ was solid. Visit the blog for full coverage including references and And how do they feel? Presently, the metalheads feel as content links, additional current reports, an archive, comment, in life as their ‘norm’ peers. Furthermore, they recalled being our brand new podcast, and more. significantly happier in youth, with only one third expressing regrets, versus half of the control group. Furthermore, the controls were the Subscribe to the fortnightly e-mail, friend, follow and group with the highest incidence of undertaking counselling for more via www.bps.org.uk/digest emotional problems. This gives credence to what many metal fans believe: that the music offers catharsis and the scene an outlet for the emotional challenges of adolescence.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 529 digest

Have you

Why do children stick their tongues out when they’re concentrating? heard… In Cognition Have you ever watched a young child childhood, the findings suggest, rather perform a delicate task with their hands the behaviour fits the theory that spoken and noticed how they stick out their tongue language originally evolved from gestures. at the same time? A new study is the first to Gillian Forrester and Alina Rodriguez systematically investigate this behaviour in videoed 14 four-year-olds (eight boys), all four-year-olds. This isn't just a cute quirk of right-handed, as they completed a number

LINK FEAST

IQ Tests Have Been Unfairly Maligned Intelligent words on intelligence from psychologist (and previous Digest guest blogger) Stuart Ritchie. tinyurl.com/pklepsp

The Search For the Perfect Office (audio) Claudia Hammond presents this documentary for BBC Radio 4. tinyurl.com/q9mu44v

Quiet Revolution The new podcast from The quiet people are making a noise as Susan The British Cain launches her mission ‘to unlock the power of Psychological Society’s introverts for the benefit Research Digest of us all’. www.quietrev.com

Researchers Find Missing Link Between the Brain and Immune System Listen via Neuroscientists herald a game-changing discovery. tinyurl.com/p5y7ly2 www.bps.org.uk/digest How a Graduate Student Reluctantly Uncovered a Huge Scientific Fraud Jesse Singal with an in-depth look at the LaCour research scandal. tinyurl.com/nmfelt2

Who Are You Now? At this new blog from the Headway charity, brain injury survivors tell their own stories. http://whoareyounow.org

530 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 digest

of tasks in their own homes. The tasks were designed to involve either very fine hand DIGEST DIGESTED control (e.g. playing with Full reports are available at www.bps.org.uk/digest miniature dolls or opening padlocks with keys), less fine Chacma baboons within a troop spend control (e.g. a game of knock more of their time with baboons that and tap, in which the child they resemble, choosing to associate with does the opposite to the those of a similar age, status, and even researcher, be that knocking personality. Alecia Carter and colleagues or tapping the table with their included measures of boldness and the right hand), or no hand control propensity to either generate or exploit (remembering a story). social information. Royal Society Open The researchers studied Science the videos looking for how often the children stuck out Psychologists in Canada think they’ve identified an entirely new memory syndrome in their tongues during these healthy people characterised by a specific inability to relive their past. The three individuals different games, and whether currently described have no history of brain damage or illness and have experienced no they stuck them out towards the left or right known recent psychological trauma or disturbance. Take part in a survey at side of their mouths. www.deficientautobiographicalmemory.com. Neuropsychologia All the children stuck out their tongues during the games and tasks, which supports past research with five- to eight- year-olds that suggested this is a common behaviour. But crucially, the children stuck out their tongues more during some tasks than others, and most of all in the knock and tap game. This goes against expectations (the researchers thought the fine motor control games would provoke the most tongue protrusions), but Forrester and Rodriguez argue their surprise finding makes sense in terms of the evolutionary history of language. They explain the knock and tap game involves rapid turn-taking, hand gesturing and structure rules – what you could think of as ‘the foundational components of a communication system’ or the rudiments of language. This fits with another result, which is that most of the kids’ tongue protrusions tended to be biased to the right, suggestive of control by the left brain hemisphere. The People underestimate how much fun they’ll have partaking in entertaining activities in public left side of the brain is the side that’s more alone. Journal of Consumer Research dominant for language in nearly all right- handers, so again we have a suggestion Our jumpiness at that children’s gestural activities are night is not just accompanied by tongue protrusions because it is dark. because of the tongue and hands sharing a Yadan Li and link with language and communication. The colleagues found that researchers think that adults (presumably women rated scary excluding Miley Cyrus) suppress their own pictures and sounds tongue protrusions because of the cultural as more scary than connotations of sticking out your tongue. the women tested in Taken together with past research the daytime, that’s shown an overlap in the brain areas regardless of whether involved in speech and hand control, the they were tested in researchers propose their new findings darkness or light. support the idea that the same International Journal communication system involves both the of Psychophysiology hand and the mouth, and that ‘hand and tongue actions possess a reciprocal Staking a claim during the early stages of idea development – ‘although I am asking you for relationship such that when structured your input, I consider this to be my proposal, not yours’ – can be counterproductive, as it sequences of hand actions are performed cools the enthusiasm others have for making it better. Journal of Applied Psychology they are accompanied by spontaneous and synchronous tongue action’. CJ

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 531 Committee on Test The Home of Existential Therapy

Standards – Applications Applications throughout the year invited for Ordinary • Foundation certiﬁcate in Psychotherapy, Counselling and Coaching • MA in Existential Coaching* Committee Members • MSc in Psychotherapy Studies (online)* • MSc in Typical and Atypical Development through the Lifespan** • DProf in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling*** Chartered Psychologists with expertise in • DCPsych in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy*** • Professional Certiﬁcate Existential Supervision psychological testing are invited to apply for and Group Leadership the position of Ordinary Member of the * Validated by Middlesex University ** Subject to validation by Middlesex University Committee on Test Standards (CTS). *** Joint courses with Middlesex University In partnership with The Committee on Test Standards is responsible for developing standards in testing and for promoting good practice in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION the use of psychometric tests. To date it has Existential Academy 61– 63 Fortune Green Road London NW6 1DR T 0845 557 7752 | 0207 435 8067 E [email protected] developed qualifications in test use in www.nspc.org.uk Occupational, Educational and Forensic contexts, and directs the work of the Psychological Testing Centre. The Committee is keen to receive applications from academic or practitioner CPD Workshops colleagues who have expertise and interest in the areas of Clinical, Counselling, Educational, Anger Treatment Forensic, Neuropsychological and Sport and Professor Ray Novaco Exercise Testing. 20th July 2015 - The Kings Centre Oxford The term of office is for three years and the Teaching Clients to use role is on a pro bono basis. The Committee Mindfulness Skills generally meets three times a year and some With Dr Maggie Stanton & Dr Christine Dunkley commitment between meetings will be 10th Sept 2015 - Exeter th required to progress projects. 8 Oct 2015 - BPS London Chartered Members who wish to apply will Using Social Media in your be required to submit a Statement of Interest Therapy Practice form plus a copy of their Curriculum Vitae. To David Taylor 12th Sept 2015 BPS London receive a Statement of Interest form, or for further information about the position, please CBT for Insomnia contact the Psychological Testing Centre at Professor Kevin Morgan & Dr Maureen Tomeny [email protected]. 18th Sept 2015 Queens University Belfast The closing date for receipt of Statements of For details and for our full range of workshops :- Interest is Friday 7 August 2015 stantonltd.co.uk or grayrock.co.uk

532 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 HIGHGATE CONSULTING MSc PSYCHOLOGICAL ROOMS TRAUMA * Purpose-built for psychotherapy E: [email protected] * Architect designed and elegantly MSc THERAPEUTIC furnished * Sound-proofed PRACTICE IN * Air-conditioned PSYCHOLOGICAL group room TRAUMA * Entryphone system to all rooms E: [email protected] * Waiting areas * Support staff * Sessions to suit individual requirements Contact Sally for further details: West Hill House, 6 Swains Lane, London N6 6QS Tel no: 020 7482 4212 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.consulting-rooms.co.uk

Annual Conference 6-8 January 2016 TEP Day 5 January 2016 Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury

Towards an inclusive psychology – do labels and diagnosis help or hinder? The issue of labelling behaviour in the profession of Educational Psychology is controversial and contentious. During the development of the practice of Educational Psychology, the provision of education for children with additional needs was based on a medical model of deficit, focusing on differences, and within child explanations. One hundred years on the conference aims to explore how 21st century Educational Psychology has shifted the agenda from an emphasis on illness to well-being, from problems to solutions, from deficit to potential and from within child explanations to careful consideration of the influence of context. Submissions now open – Deadline: Friday 4 September 2015 This event is organised by the BPS Division of Educational and Child Psychology and administered by KC Jones conference&events Ltd, 01332 227774 For further information, please visit the website: www.bps.org.uk/decp2016

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 533 Beyond the average adolescent Ella Rhodes reports on Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s opening address at the Society’s Annual Conference in Liverpool. Find even more coverage on our website. CONFERENCE

Some look back on their teenage years all of them reported onset of the condition behaviours, including heightened risk- with a sense of pride, at their rebellious at the end of adolescence. Why should this taking, peer influence, impulsivity and self- nature, others cringe at the thought. devastating and florid illness remain almost consciousness, can be seen across cultures Although we have our own personal dormant during childhood and the teenage and even across species. Adolescent rats experience of passing through that stage, years? Unlike other developmental show increased risk-taking and increased teens are so often misunderstood and disorders such as autism and ADHD, exploration, during this period, and even regarded with considerable wariness. ‘schizophrenia waits, and shows itself at drink more alcohol when in the company Shakespeare once wrote: ‘I would there the end of adolescence’. But it’s not alone of other adolescent rats! were no age between sixteen and three- in that: Blakemore showed that 75 per cent On a more sombre note, Blakemore and-twenty, or that youth would sleep out of adult mental disorder has the onset pointed out that adolescent risk-taking has the rest; for there is nothing in the before the age of 24, and mostly during a real effect on teenage mortality rates, with between but getting wenches with child, adolescence. Blakemore thought the accidents related to risky behaviours being wronging the ancientry, stealing, fighting.’ answers might lie in the typical the leading cause of death of people in that In opening the British Psychological development of the teenage brain. period of life. But why do adolescents Society’s Annual Conference Sarah-Jayne Although often adolescence is generally take more risks? And in what Blakemore (University College London) described as starting with puberty and circumstances? Blakemore outlined Larry sought to provide a more tolerant and ending when a person gains a stable Steinberg’s research, which took three age evidence-based perspective on adolescent independent role in society, there are groups, 13–16, 17–24 and 25 and over, and development, looking to the teenage brain massive cultural differences in when this asked them to play a driving video game. to partially explain this age group’s risky may occur. In some cultures people marry Somewhat surprisingly the adolescents behaviour. and start having children very young, took around the same number of risks – Professor Blakemore told the gathered whereas in the West many people continue jumping lights, speeding, etc. – as the audience how she became interested in to live with their parents and study until adults and young adults. So in optimal teen brain development – through working their 20s or 30s. But Blakemore argues that circumstances, where the adolescents can with people with schizophrenia. Testing adolescence is, in fact, a distinct biological concentrate on the task in hand, the patients in a hospital outside Versailles period that presents itself across cultures stereotypical view is not borne out by the during a postdoc, Blakemore realised that and in every one of us. Typical adolescent research. However, when the groups were

534 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference

perhaps explains how perfectly intelligent, Blakemore closed her talk with a rational adolescents make risky decisions… startling example of how looking solely the social factor weighs in particularly at average data can give us a false picture heavily on the see-saw of decision making.’ of brain development in adolescence – Imagine a 13-year-old girl whose friends all showing the huge differences among smoke, and they offer her a cigarette. Is it individuals in their brain development more risky to say yes to a cigarette, during this period. She concluded that knowing the health risks of smoking, or to individual differences should be the subject say no and risk being socially ostracised? of further investigation, particularly ‘These decisions are not so crazy if we looking into how genetics, culture, a think about them in the context of the person’s environment and social group importance of their peer group,’ Blakemore affect brain development. ‘It’s the individual concluded. differences that are going to be more Referring to research she conducted at meaningful and interesting than the the Science Museum, Blakemore explained averages.’ that adolescents don’t judge situations or

decisions as objectively less risky – they do THE SET IN 10TH HENHAM PARK not feel invincible – they are just EDITION SUFFOLK

particularly influenced by the risk 16TH - 19TH JULY 2015 perceptions of other teenagers and less so by adults. ‘It always surprises me that health doesn’t just focus on social norms FESTIVAL and peer effects,’ Blakemore mused. Find the most popular kid in a class and educate them about various risky behaviours, she said: research suggests that the perceptions of the whole class can then change towards the views of that cool child. CARIBOU / JAMES BLAKE / MANIC STREET PREACHERS But what about the neuroscience ALAN DAVIES / JON RICHARDSON / JASON MANFORD / JACK DEE’S HELP DESK NINA CONTI / ROB DELANEY / KATHERINE RYAN / SARA PASCOE / TIM KEY / MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE behind this behaviour? Blakemore pointed KNEEHIGH / PAINES PLOUGH / NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE / RUBY WAX: SANE NEW WORLD

OPERA NORTH / UNDER MILK WOOD / NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY ANDAND THE PORTRAIT CHOIR out that, until recently, it was unclear at SIMON ARMITAGE / DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE / MICHAEL ROSEN / BLAKE MORRISON ALEXANDER MCQUEEN : SAVAGE BEAUTY / MATT HAIG / HANIF KUREISHI / PATRICK BARKHAM what point the brain stopped developing. MRI and fMRI data has taken us far closer THE PSYCHOLOGIST ANDAND WELLCOME TRUST PRESENTPRESENT FIONA NEILL ANDAND PROFESSOR SARAH-JAYNE BLAKEMORE IN CONVERSATION CHAIRED BY DR JON SUTTON, THE PSYCHOLOGIST to understanding, showing that brain development continues throughout ‘BEING YOUNG NEVER GETS OLD - TEENAGERS DEBUNKED’ adolescence and even into the 20s and 30s. The prefrontal cortex has a role in the assessment of risks and impulsivity, and Jay THE PSYCHOLOGIST Giedd’s work has shown that the grey watched doing the task by a couple matter volume in this area peaks in late AT LATITUDE of friends, the number of risks that childhood and early adolescence, followed adolescents took tripled and the number by a significant decline during adolescence. FESTIVAL of risks the young adults took doubled. What does this correspond to? Blakemore Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore will make The adults were unaffected. ‘The critical discussed ‘synaptic pruning’, a ‘moulding of factor is peer influence,’ Blakemore said. the brain during adolescence’ that is another appearance in July, taking part in the This fits our real-world picture of heavily dependent on the environment as first ever ‘The Psychologist presents…’ at when teenagers start to take risks, such as one factor. Latitude Festival. She is joined by author smoking: it’s when they’re with others. And Turning to ‘theory of mind’, the ability Fiona Neill for a discussion in the Literary data from British car insurance companies to infer the mental states of others, Arena titled ‘Being Young Never Gets Old – show that adolescents have more accidents Blakemore outlined MRI data showing that Teenagers Debunked’. Our editor Dr Jon if they have a similar-aged passenger in the each of the four areas within the so-called Sutton acts as host. car, whereas in adults the pattern is ‘social brain network’ parallel the increase Fiona Neill is a Times columnist whose reversed. What could it be about peer in grey-matter volume in childhood and new novel, The Good Girl, is described as influence that has an effect on risk-taking? decrease during adolescence seen in the ‘a compelling portrait of a modern family Blakemore suggested that adolescents have prefrontal cortex. Yet nine developmental dealing with a rocky marriage, a troublesome a vested interest in being accepted by their fMRI studies show that medial prefrontal elderly parent and two teenagers exploring peer group, ‘probably for evolutionary cortex activity in social cognition tasks is their sexuality’. reasons’ – they need to become higher in adolescents than in adults. The Latitude Festival, which celebrates independent from their families. Blakemore feels this may reflect a different its 10th birthday this year, draws a crowd of In research with Catherine Sebastian, cognitive strategy for adolescents in this around 40,000 to Henham Park in Suffolk for Blakemore showed the emotional side of kind of perspective-taking task. She also three days of music, comedy and the arts. this peer influence. Using a simple game- pointed to a potential mismatch between The festival takes place 16–19 July, with based paradigm of social exclusion, they the maturity of the emotion-led limbic The Psychologist session on the Saturday found that adolescents reacted to apparent system and the underdeveloped prefrontal morning. Visit www.latitudefestival.com for social exclusion with a significantly greater cortex to explain the greater propensity for full line-up, information and tickets. drop in mood than adults did. ‘This adolescents to take risks.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 535 annual conference Long-term impact of the New Zealand earthquakes – lessons for Nepal?

Research on the long-term impact of mental health problems generally emotional exhaustion. Nurses’ workloads the New Zealand earthquakes has strong appeared to cope well. The impact of the and working hours as well as the need for potential to help inform responses to the earthquakes on GPs themselves was flexibility in role typically increased in recent earthquake in Nepal. Sarb Johal, inconsistent. Some experienced a loss of response to managing the needs of from the Joint Centre for Disaster role as their premises had been destroyed, patients and trying to maintain essential Research Centre at Massey University, healthcare services. presented two linked papers that The earthquakes had explored the long-term recovery a significant impact on the processes for healthcare providers professional and personal and the communities they serve in lives of GPs and nurses. the aftermath of the earthquakes that Many felt pressure from the occurred in 2010/11 in Christchurch dual challenges of personal – New Zealand’s third most populous and work demands while city. The earthquake in February delivering essential health 2011, which measured 6.3 on the services after a major Richter scale followed by a series of disaster. Sometimes the significant aftershocks, resulted in needs of patients and the 185 fatalities and more than 7500 community were put before serious injuries. Altogether, around those of family. The high 92,000 people were exposed to workload meant that many violent ground shaking. Dr Johal healthcare providers had presented data from interviews little opportunity to reflect conducted with doctors and nurses on their experiences, even from a range of specialities to explore though many had been their personal experiences, and those personally affected. Both of their patients, two years following doctors and nurses typically the earthquakes. felt the need to role-model The first paper drew on interviews successful coping and with eight general practitioners (GPs) resilience to their patients. to explore their perceptions of the Although counselling was impact of the earthquakes on offered, some sought primary-care clinic patients. Although external support, as being most survivors were able to adjust seen to be failing to cope over time, some (especially those who was stigmatised. In general, failed to receive appropriate support doctors were more aware following the earthquake), of their personal stress experienced long-term stress reactions and the need to reactions, such as loss of control and engage in self-care than agency and feelings of anxiety and nurses. exhaustion. Many patients presented Important lessons can to seek reassurance that the feelings be learnt from this research they were continuing to experience for helping manage the short- were ‘normal’. Secondary stressors, and long-term impact of major such as insurance and housing issues, or the population they served had been disasters on survivors and those who care also contributed to distress, and patients relocated, while others had a drastically for them. The findings can inform the commonly requested social advocacy. increased workload. development of disaster education, Patients also presented symptoms The second paper explored the impact preparation and planning resources stemming from overcrowding and loss of the earthquakes on the wellbeing of for healthcare professionals. Particular of recreation and green space. Initially nurses working in different specialities. emphasis should be placed on the need community spirit was high, but levels Dr Johal explained that compassion to maintain formal and informal support of support tended to dissipate over time fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout several years after such events. A key issue (although it was still required). Particular were common reactions, particularly in that emerged from this research and many problems were experienced by vulnerable nurses who were living away from home other studies is the urgent need to de- groups, such as children and elderly and lacked social support. Many felt stigmatise help-seeking by healthcare people. Dr Johal described the case of unable to sustain the high level of providers, as well as highlighting the one small child who was still too scared to empathy required in their role, but found importance of effective self-care strategies sleep alone two years after the earthquake. it difficult to maintain the boundaries and the need to provide opportunities for Interestingly, people with pre-existing necessary to protect themselves against reflection at different time points. GK

536 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference

DIVERSITY IS GOOD FOR OUR MINDS

With the UK assumptions, something encounters with Independence Party the social mind tends to outsiders, such as people and its anti-immigration do as a way to make from a different religious message attracting sense of a complex world. or ethnic group. One study millions of votes in the The trouble is, the found that after imagining recent UK general pattern-seeking social a positive meeting with a election, you can’t find mind doesn’t want Muslim stranger (versus a much more topical diversity, Crisp said, even any stranger or a trip to subject for psychology though it’s good for it. It’s a forest), participants research than social and just like the way many of subsequently felt more cultural diversity. us are averse to exercise confident about their Professor Richard Crisp even though we know its ability to mix with from Aston University benefits. We need a Muslims and had stronger A CONSISTENTLY used his keynote talk to helping hand, an intentions to meet up with explain that exposure to equivalent of a personal Muslims. ‘Over 70 studies PSYCHOLOGICAL diversity is good for our trainer. with more than 5000 minds. For example, if you One way, Crisp said, is participants now show APPROACH expose people to counter- to use ‘imagined contact’, the benefits of imagined Receiving the Society’s Book Award for stereotypes (such as a which is to ask people to contact,’ Crisp said. 2013’s Psychology, Mental Health and female mechanic), they imagine having positive Taking questions from Distress, Dave Harper (University of East tend to exhibit greater the audience, Crisp said London) described how he had been creativity afterwards, he and his colleagues are inspired by the many teachers who wanted such as by drawing more now starting to gather to cover alternatives to psychiatric quirky aliens. supportive evidence, for diagnostic frameworks yet found most Exposure to diversity the benefits of diversity textbooks entirely structured by them. has these effects, Crisp and imagined contact, ‘The perspective of mental health was explained, because it from field experiments. missing,’ he said. ‘It’s a bit like perceptual exercises the mind’s ‘Would he talk to Nigel psychologists having their books structured ‘inhibitory muscle’. This Farage?’ another member by optometrists.’ makes us better able to of the audience asked. ‘He Harper noted that criticism of diagnosis resist jumping to might avoid me,’ said became less of a fringe concern during the conclusions and Crisp with a smile. CJ time he and his co-authors (John Cromby and Paula Reavey) were writing the book. There was a ‘forthright’ BPS response to DSM-5, along with new guidelines of diagnosis from the Division of Clinical Psychology, and a growing service-user movement. ‘So there was a whole range Are you looking at me, of things we felt needed to be flagged up to students, including the challenges raised by critiques of diagnosis: history, culture and Jimmy? causality.’ Taking the baton, John Cromby We (hopefully) respond differently to Japanese faces, but for Caucasian faces emphasised how culture shapes experience an angry face staring us in the eyes than memory was significantly decreased for by supplying knowledge, categories, rules, a happy face; being able to read others’ angry faces with averted eyes. values, norms, ethics, practices and emotional expressions helps us to This difference could be due to meanings. Consider the work of Sing Lee understand their social intent. Margaret participants’ understanding of display showing how cases of self-starvation in Jackson (University of Aberdeen) and rules: in Western cultures direct eye gaze Hong Kong and China – which used to be colleagues from the University of Stirling is usually preferred whereas in Eastern characterised more by a lack of appetite and the University of Kyoto compared cultures averted eye gaze is respectful. than a desire to be thin – have increasingly how visual working memory for faces For the Scottish group a happy face come to resemble Western anorexia. was affected by the emotional expression with averted gaze goes against the norm, Concluding with how their book has shown (happy or angry) and eye gaze perhaps muddying the perceived social been received, Paula Reavey said that she (averted or direct) in Scottish and intent and leading to enhanced encoding. felt ‘some people can reach a certain point Japanese participants. For the Scottish Jackson speculated that the Japanese group and then not fully take it on board.’ What is group, memory was significantly could be showing an adaptive interaction it the authors are looking for? ‘For students enhanced for happy but not angry faces due to their understanding that direct eye to take some kind of empathy about what when eye gaze was averted – regardless contact is usually favoured in Western it’s like to be distressed; to think closely of whether the faces were Caucasian or cultures; an averted gaze could reduce the about evidence and causality; to take a Japanese. For the Japanese group there threat signal perceived in angry Caucasian consistently psychological approach.’ JS was no effect of gaze direction at all for faces leading to reduced encoding. AJ

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 537 annual conference Reproducing an impact

One evening in the hotel bar at this (London Evening News). British conference, the conversation turned to politician Rhodes Boyson urged: ‘This that perennial bit of soul-searching evil must stop for the sake of the psychologists seem so fond of: ‘What has potential children and society, which psychology actually done?’ Is our subject both have enough problems without punching well below its weight in terms the extension of this horrific practice.’ of demonstrable, useful contributions to Against this backdrop of moral the world? Fresh from watching her outrage, Professor Golombok set out impressive presentation, my first witness to add a dash of objectivity to the for the defence in the face of this debate. What are these modern accusatory onslaught was Professor Susan families really like? Does the Golombok (Director, Centre for Family parenting differ? What are the Research, University of Cambridge). psychological consequences? Golombok, whose new book is titled Golombok recognised the Modern Families: Parents and Children in opportunity for natural experiments New Family Forms, has made a real, on different patterns of family tangible difference in our understanding structures. and acceptance of families that did not She focused on assisted- exist or were hidden from society until reproduction families, and families the latter part of 20th century. It is now with two same-sex parents. In a UK possible for children to have five parents: longitudinal study of families with children through the assisted techniques showed sperm donor, egg donor, surrogate mother, born through surrogacy, donor greater psychological wellbeing and and two social parents (mum and dad, or insemination, egg donation or natural adaptation to parenthood than did the mum and mum, or dad and dad). Back in conception, Golombok assessed parenting natural-conception parents. There was 1978, the first children born through and child development at one, two, three, greater emotional involvement with the donor insemination were met with seven, 10 and 14 years of age. child, arguably over-involvement. At age headlines such as ‘Ban these babies!’ At age one, parents of children born one, 56 per cent of egg donation and 46 Presidential Address – supporting our diverse membership

In this year’s Presidential Address, Professor Dorothy Miell The Address also highlighted some of the achievements celebrated the 50-year anniversary of the Society being for the Society and for the discipline in the dissemination of awarded its Royal Charter. The Charter was important in psychology. To name just a few: the high uptake of psychology defining how the Society would support the discipline and at undergraduate level, career development support through the its members – setting out the rules, the grades of Psychology Postgraduates Affairs Group, membership and how the BPS would be governed. large-scale delivery of psychology T

It marked the growth of the BPS since the first ONY education through means such as

meeting in 1901 of 10 founding members. Miell D MOOCs, TEDx talks, and iTunes U reflected upon one of the founding aims – to ALE courses, public engagement events, further cooperation amongst different areas of PsychSource, and the new BPS Impact psychology, something which the Society Portal. continues to strive for. One area where room for This linked with a recurrent theme across improvement was seen was the Society’s the conference – the review of the member support for diversity. Miell was only the networks structure. The number of Sections has 15th female President out of 80, though proliferated since they were first introduced by 10 of these have been in the last 15 Charles Myers in the early part of the 20th years. More widely, women now make century, and the member network structure now up around 60 per cent of academic staff serves over 50,000 members. The current in psychology, yet around 70 per cent of structure of Divisions, Sections, Branches and senior roles are held by men. The BPS Special Groups appears to some to be overly now places greater emphasis upon complex and not best suited to that original aim supporting diversity when accrediting of promoting cooperation across fields. Details of the review undergraduate degrees, but Miell hinted that perhaps more could can be found at www.bps.org.uk/membernetworkreview. be done in the way of mentoring or fellowship schemes. AJ

538 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference

per cent of donor insemination siblings. However, many find more than 10 1997 found no difference in the quality parents planned to disclose the and there are some ‘sibling constellations’ of the relationship with mother or father genetic/gestational origins to their of way more than 100. Golombok said that in adulthood, and no difference in child, but by age of 10 only 47 and most searching the registry were more psychological wellbeing in adulthood. 29 per cent respectively actually had. interested in forming a relationship with They were more likely to have Golombok suggests that parents donor siblings than with the donor. ‘What experimented with same-sex relationships should disclose origins to their really surprised me was just how strongly in adolescence, but as adults, most children early. Importantly, she’s I felt towards them. It changed my concept identified as heterosexual. arguing from an evidence-base: in of “family”,’ said one. Golombok pointed Golombok’s research has clearly played her research, those told when young out that family relationships based on a role in countering false beliefs, in tackling do not appear to be distressed. At genetic connections between children are public attitudes that may have been based age seven, non-disclosing mothers being formed across multiple family units. on prejudice and assumption. There’s still showed higher levels of emotional Switching back to her early work, work to do though: low-level distress than disclosing mothers, and Golombok recounted how children were stigmatisation still exists, such as the use also less positive mother–child taken away from married lesbian women of the word ‘gay’ as a pejorative term in interaction. in the 1970s due to fears of teasing, or schools. What will happen when families atypical gender development. Her Concluding, Golombok reminded with donor-conceived offspring systematic studies of post-divorce lesbian the audience that family structure matters search for their donor relations? This mothers found no differences in quality of less for children than the quality of family becomes an issue in the UK in 2023, parenting. Children of lesbian mothers did relationships. Children are most likely to when children born to sperm donors who not differ from children of heterosexual flourish in warm, supportive, stable turn 18 will have the right to find out mothers in either psychological problems families, whatever their structure, and are about their biological parent. It’s already or problems with peers. Boys were no less likely to experience problems in the possible in the US, since donors have a masculine, girls no less feminine. But, said opposite families, whatever their structure. unique ID number. The Donor Sibling the critics, only school-aged children were It feels like it shouldn’t need saying, but it Registry has 46,000 members, and children studied: did problems develop later? No: did and still does. Psychology said it, and searching it tend to find around five half Golombok’s work with Fiona Tasker in of that we can all be proud. JS

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DEBT – AVOIDING THE UNAVOIDABLE

Around 8.8 million people in the The findings indicated that UK are currently in serious debt avoidance is a key issue, with (which is 20 per cent of the adult people in serious debt commonly population). Debt despair can engaging in magical thinking, lead to serious mental health e.g. ‘If I don’t think about the problems and is an independent debt-related problem, then it predictor of suicide, but people does not exist’. In other words, who are in debt frequently ignore my debt is not a problem but the early warning signs with thinking about it is! potentially serious The findings of a further consequences. The scale of the study that utilised a novel word problem is well illustrated by association task also revealed statistics published by the Money that debtors tended to associate Advice Service in 2013 indicating financial cues (such as debt, that only 17 per cent of people saving, spending, banks and who are seriously in debt are credit cards) with negative seeking help. Ben Harkin from associations and outcomes. the University of Sheffield In contrast, non-debtors made emphasised the role that significantly more positive psychology can play in been examined as predictors of an overview of several studies associations with these financial identifying the factors that debt problems, but few firm with this aim. One study utilised cues. Dr Harkin discussed how influence indebtedness, with conclusions have been reached discriminant function analysis to this research can inform strong potential to encourage and no clear conceptual model identify the psychological factors interventions that can be used in people to tackle their problems has emerged. He argued that it that predict receipt (vs. non- debt-help agencies, such as the early on. is crucial to develop valid receipt) of a Warning of Court Citizens Advice Debt Unit and Dr Harkin explained that measures to distinguish debtors Action, using a range of Credit Unions, to help people many psychological factors have from non-debtors and provided established and novel measures. tackle debt at an early stage. GK

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 539 annual conference Happiness in Bolton Is it easier to be happy in Bolton or ranking task, the item ‘more authority’ Blackpool? A 1938 survey in the former was changed to ‘more leadership’. set out to find out about its residents’ In comparison to the 1938 survey perceptions of happiness. More than results the 2014 respondents placed good 75 years later, in 2014, Sandie McHugh humour and leisure in the top three most (University of Bolton) and her colleagues important factors for happiness where in gave people in the town a similar the 1930s leisure was ranked eighth and questionnaire to see if their thoughts humour fourth. The most notable shift on happiness had shifted over the was the importance of religion, placed decades. third in 1938 and 10th in the modern day. The original survey was one of the McHugh explained that the face of first social studies into happiness; it was Bolton had changed immeasurably since distributed to readers of the Bolton the thirties, with greater levels of That’s entertainment at Bolton Lads and Evening News and asked Bolton people to unemployment than 2014 and a much Girls Club rank 10 factors, including items such as more unstable political climate. However ‘more pleasure’, ‘more beauty’ and ‘more Bolton in the thirties had many more whether they felt wealth was related to religion’, in order of which were most forms of entertainment nearby with 300 happiness and 77 per cent said they did important to happiness. It also asked pubs, 47 cinemas and 200 churches not. Bolton residents in the 1930s similarly people if they felt luck had anything to compared with 113 pubs, two cinemas did not see material wealth as being do with happiness, whether they were and 81 places of worship today. This may linked to being happy – despite being happier at the weekends or during go some way to explaining responses to poorer than the current day residents. weekdays and whether it was easier to the 1938 question ‘Are you happiest in Concluding her talk, McHugh looked be happy in Bolton or Blackpool. Blackpool or Bolton?’ where 75 per cent at the definitions of happiness given by McHugh and her colleagues teamed answered Bolton. A similar question in both groups: many people from both years up with the same newspaper, now the 2014 asked people if they were happier described it as a state of mind. Frank, one Bolton News, last year to re-run the survey. on holiday from Bolton or in Bolton, and of the 1930s participants, described it as: Almost 490 people responded to the only 39 per cent answered ‘in Bolton’. ‘a satisfied and contented state of mind, questions, which had been modified One opinion which remained usually personified in a smiling slightly to be better understood by a unchanged, however, centred around disposition and a cheery voice,’ which modern audience – for example in the wealth. The 2014 respondents were asked seems a timeless conclusion. ER Laughter – the shortest distance between us Professor Sophie Scott (University College London) is becoming was something else altogether. the Queen of Laughter, which is not a bad title to have. Not only Scott also demonstrated how laughter is only made possible is she doing a great job of redressing the negative balance in by breath control, in turn reliant on the amazing neural control psychological research into emotions – lots of papers on fear, not that humans have over their rib cage (as much as you have over so much on laughter – she’s funny to boot. fingers). Involuntary laughter will stop you speaking, Scott is convinced you can have a meaningful science of breathing… ‘It is trying to kill you,’ Scott warned. laughter. Her interest began while working with Andy Calder Laughter is also very social: an ‘invitation to playfulness’ and Andy Young in the Applied Psychology Unit at Cambridge. in the words of Jaak Panksepp. Robert Provine has shown that Working with faces, she realised the basic emotions they were people laugh most in conversation, and with people they know. working with were extraordinarily negative. She contacted the Scott showed that there is much less activation of the brain’s godfather of basic emotion research, Paul Ekman, who replied ‘mirror systems’ in response to disgust than with laughter or that there would be more positive expressions – triumph, triumph. amusement, relief, contentment, physical pleasure. He suggested Scott’s talk was packed with interesting facts about laughter. that those candidate basic positive emotions might all share a People without exception underestimate how much they laugh. smile (in static photos) but could be distinguished with other The ability to tell the difference between real and faked laughs cues, such as body posture and voice. improves with age, peaking in late 30s. But laughter is less Videos from Scott’s research with the Himba tribe in Namibia contagious as we age. (done by Disa Sauter and Frank Eisner) showed that laughter Concluding with a wince-inducing home video, Scott showed was recognised cross-culturally, as were vocal expressions of fear, how laughter quickly changes an embarrassing, painful situation sadness, anger, surprise and disgust (which Ekman’s work had into something that is the ‘shortest distance between us’. Scott is shown to be universally recognised from the face). None of the turning laughter into the shortest distance between psychologists other positive vocal emotions were cross-culturally recognised, and a very large audience: read more in our April 2013 issue, along in our study. Whereas British people quite often produce a with an audio interview (tinyurl.com/p8vqp9z), and watch her cheering or ‘woo hoo!’ sound for triumph, the Himba sound hugely popular TED video at tinyurl.com/nd5stmm. JS

540 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference Is text messaging better than church bells?

The methods used to alert members of the public in the UK to civil emergencies vary by location. Systems currently used include door knocking, landline phone calls, PA systems, loudhailers and even church bells. The ability to provide warnings at the earliest opportunity can enable people to take positive action to reduce the human impact of emergency public health threats. It is particularly important to get alert messages out to members of the public who are ‘on the move.’ Ninety-two per cent of the UK population possess mobile phones, so there is strong potential for issuing speedy, precisely targeted alerts by text about large-scale emergencies such as What’s the best system to alert members of the public to civil emergencies? floods, terrorism and the deliberate release of hazardous materials. Nonetheless, getting it right is not an identified six themes: intentions to phone switched off?) and criticisms of easy task. Messages need to be intrusive, comply (i.e. to follow or ignore advice); and compliments for the method, which inclusive, brief, unambiguous and action trust (was the messenger trustworthy?); have provided information that can be focused – often when little is known perceptions and expectations used to increase compliance with health about the severity of the situation. (expectations of the behaviour of others); advice. Dr Jones particularly emphasised Emma Jones from Public Health communication and information needs the importance of increasing public trust England (tinyurl.com/op2x9wx) (additional sources of information); in the messages and making them presented the findings of trials conducted practicalities (what if people had their explicitly action-focused. GK in three UK locations by the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, with support from mobile phone companies. The trials explored the views of members of the public towards text message alerts and HUMANITARIAN AID the likely behaviour responses. The trials were conducted in Glasgow (representing Aid workers can play a vital resilience risk an urban environment with high role in supporting people assessment before population density and good phone affected by crises, yet can the work began, coverage) and Suffolk (representing a often be in bad shape completed by the rural area with patchy phone coverage). themselves and go into likely humanitarian The third trial was conducted at the traumatic situations. As part workers themselves Emergency Planning College, in order of the Crisis, Disaster and as a reflexive tool. to test both SMS and cell broadcast Trauma Psychology Section’s This informed technologies. symposium, Mark Snelling discussion between Members of the public were initially from InterHealth Worldwide the worker and informed about the trials through a public provided a look at the InterHealth, to information campaign, letting them know charity’s work in supporting identify if they were that they would receive test messages. humanitarian workers. in sufficiently good Evaluation of the public response was Snelling reflected that the shape to attend the conducted via a series of focus groups, recent Ebola crisis seemed crisis and what level an online survey and a short telephone to be particularly difficult for of support might be survey. Feedback from people involved in volunteers to deal with, and needed. During their the trial indicated that more than one in outlined the integrated care work they could seven read the messages as soon as they perspective which receive ‘psychological first approach is still to come, received them, despite the fact that more InterHealth took in providing aid’, for example through but feedback indicated that than half (58 per cent) thought the them with psychosocial Skype sessions, and upon the psychological support messages were spam. Overall, however, support. return were offered a before, during and after was public acceptance of the proposed text A crucial aspect of their confidential review meeting. valued by this uniquely message alerting system was high. support process was a An evaluation of the vulnerable population. AJ Findings from the focus groups

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 541 annual conference Applying social psychology to contemporary society

This symposium, convened by Dr Abigail Locke of the University interviews with 21 potential adopters yielded several themes of Huddersfield, included four engaging papers that discussed that reflect the complex and dichotomous existence of the application of social psychology to a wide range of issues in prospective adopters and revealed the cultural myths that prevent contemporary society. people from opting in. Examples include wishing to be a parent The first paper, presented by Dr Carrie Childs of the while not wanting to adopt a particular type of child (e.g. an University of Derby, used conversation analysis to examine how older child or one with disabilities) and believing that an adult police officers disclose personal information to build rapport and life without children is unfulfilled despite the existence of trust during interviews with children who have reported alleged powerful role models to the contrary. Some women did not have sexual abuse. Data obtained from anonymised recordings of 29 fertility problems, but wanted to adopt as they did not wish to police witness interviews provided examples of the ways that be pregnant or to give birth themselves. Peach explained that such disclosures are used to help children clarify information she was initially concerned about gaining access to enough that was initially misunderstood by the interviewer, as well as participants, but the response to her request via Twitter was providing them with a safe space to disclose painful or overwhelming. Clearly, prospective adopters want their stories embarrassing information. The importance of police disclosing to be heard. personal information that is appropriate to the context, such as Dr Jane Montague of the University of Derby focused on the saying they feel nervous during the rapport-building phase of ways in which breast cancer surgery is constructed in the UK the interview, was also emphasised. Dr Childs explained that media. Recent statistics indicate that less than 20 per cent of conversation analysis has strong potential to inform police women who are diagnosed with breast cancer opt for training in interviewing vulnerable witnesses, as it can identify reconstruction. The popular media convey powerful messages where interactions go wrong and how to put them right. about the experiences of women with breast cancer and the Donna Peach of the University of Salford used pluralistic barriers against and benefits of reconstruction. An qualitative methodology to explore the personal experiences ethnomethodological approach was used to analyse 73 articles faced by people who are considering adopting a child. The published in the UK popular press during Breast Cancer number of children who are not adopted has recently Awareness Month (in 2013) that focused on women’s quadrupled, so insight into the factors that encourage people to mastectomy, reconstruction and non-reconstruction decisions follow through with the adoption process is crucial. Analysis of and experiences. Findings suggest that articles are typically Thinking in public

This is the first time the greater heights. Maybe that’s Society’s Public Engagement just in my head, but at the Award has been given to a very least two contributors to blog, and despite Dr Tom the original Mind Hacks book Stafford (pictured, on the and to the blog in its early right) and Dr Vaughan Bell’s days – Dr Christian Jarrett and (left) modest reflections that Dr Alex Fradera – have gone this is the ‘Award for People on to success with our with Short Attention Spans Research Digest blog. who like Writing Things on It was interesting to hear the Internet’, the unanimous how that book and the blog feeling around the conference were born out of tech culture: was that the recognition was hackers like to take things richly deserved. apart, understand a system, Tom began with how the use that understanding to do pair came to write together. ingenious things. And it is I was touched to get a nod – a sharing culture – you find comfort of your own house, embellishing a simple Tom started writing about something out, you share it. to understand and repurpose. demonstration of the brain’s research in our pages – ‘The internet was exciting ‘Everything that we say about blind spot with a description particularly as I like to think then, not the bane of our lives psychology should be able to of the eye as ‘a bit of your The Psychologist/Research or a distraction,’ Tom said. be turned into a demo,’ Tom brain which protrudes so Digest and Mind Hacks have ‘“Thinking in public” said. ‘That’s the great gift of people can see it – a machine, gone on to enjoy a Messi/ interested me.’ psychology to us as made of meat, that runs on Ronaldo-type relationship, The original focus was communicators.’ And what blood.’ pushing each other to ever- things you could try in the communicators they are, A decade on, and

542 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference

SUBJECTS TO PARTICIPANTS

In the second year of its relaunch by the Ethics Committee, the Award for Promoting Equality of Opportunity was conferred upon Til Wykes (King’s College London and NIHR) for her achievements in participatory research with mental health service users. Wykes reflected that progress in participatory research has been made really constructed around three main themes: who she is, what she just over the last decade. It was only in 2002 that she co-authored the did and why she did it. Autobiographical details such as age, first paper on this topic, in the British Journal of Psychiatry. You may occupation and parental status (e.g. young mother of three small find a lot of hits if you search the literature for participatory research, children are usually provided in the first sentence); the emotions but there’s still very little being conducted within mental health. surrounding the diagnosis and the decisions that have been, or Participatory research with service users is more than just asking are yet to be, made (e.g. horror, terror, devastation and being for users’ opinions on research. Doing it well requires building overjoyed when surgery is successful); and the protagonist’s structures to enable involvement at every step, such as electronic personal approach to dealing with her situation (i.e. accepting patient information systems that allow for two-way communication. or delaying further surgery). Whether they had decided to have Everyone involved needs to have the right information about how the breast reconstruction or not, the women in the articles were participatory research process works – the research process is no constructed as positive fighters who battled through and refused longer under the researchers’ sole ownership. Wykes gave examples to be broken by their disease. of involving service users at every step; from finding out what users’ The final paper, by Abigail Locke of the University of priorities are for what research to conduct, involving users in the Huddersfield, drew on data from a series of unstructured design and methods, to choosing outcome measures that are interviews with stay-at-home fathers to explore how they define clinically valid from the perspective of users. their primary caregiving role. Estimates of the number of stay-at- Has work in this field had tangible impact upon research? Wykes home dads in the UK vary, but some sources estimate as many as presented findings from a review published in 2013 of clinical one-in-seven. The majority of participants were ‘full-time’ stay-at- research trials on the MHRN database, which covered 374 studies home fathers, whereas others were engaged in part-time paid since 2004. Service-user involvement had increased over time, and work. Fathers tended to define themselves gender-neutrally as was associated with markers of study success (recruiting to time and ‘parents’ and their nurturing role as ‘parenting’ rather than to targets). Wykes emphasised that gaining and working to keep the ‘fathering’. Fatherhood tended to be seen as a biological act trust of service users is crucial for participatory research to be which was separate from their nurturing fathering role. The effective. Researchers should also trust that the process can lead to personal gains experienced by fathers in ‘being there’ for their more successful research. AJ children and providing them with care and time were strongly emphasised. GK T ONY D ALE

now there are a host of Vaughan said sounded like lot of people, including former them. ‘To see that grow it would be horrendous but employers, have questioned up, to be part of a ended up being lauded by the value of his efforts. But collection of people,’ is Latin American autism I think this may be changing an obvious source of pride advocacy groups). ‘Finding rapidly, as there is increasing for Tom. a good curator on the internet emphasis in the REF on the Talking the audience is a wonderful thing,’ Vaughan fairly nebulous concept of through some of the said, and his many Twitter impact, and as writing on ‘greatest hits’, Vaughan followers would no doubt personal blogs now tends to demonstrated the different agree. lead to opportunities in more roles of a blog. For As the illuminating and mainstream media. As example, the history of amusing anecdotes come thick Vaughan pointed out, it’s ‘New Southgate’ as an area and fast (Professor Peter also the case that debate in London was almost Redgrave and the ferret racing and theoretical advances in investigative reporting, springs to mind), Vaughan and psychology and science in a fascinating look at how Tom both make important general are increasingly mindhacks.com has had its mental illness and stigma has points about the use of happening online. 5000th post. ‘It’s been amazing changed the geography of blogging as a platform for The pair ended with an fun,’ admitted Tom: ‘taking London. Some posts might be ‘thinking in public’. Blogging empowering take home this specialist interest and serving a simpler role of allows different voices and message: ‘Each one of you has trying to reveal the magician’s curation: ‘I’ve seen this, you levels of nuance not probably got those 5000 posts tricks of the discipline.’ Both might like it’ (memorably so in commonly found in most inside you. Make use of the are keen to remind the the case of a ‘telenovela’ called media reporting: it’s a valuable resources on the internet, but audience that in 2002 there La Mujer Perfecta, featuring conversation we can be part of. put your own thoughts online were no psychology blogs: a character with autism, which Vaughan admitted that a too.’ JS

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 543 annual conference Citizens at war: air raids, terrorism and

Professor Edgar Jones (Kings College Yet historians cannot agree what London), a historian of psychology and actually happened among civilians in psychiatry, opened this fascinating talk the face of air raids during the war. with an iconic wartime picture of St Paul’s Some say morale was sustained and Cathedral standing unharmed amidst the people got on with their lives as best burning City of London. Yet the they could, whereas another group photograph is actually a composite of argue there was large-scale fear, three images. Jones asked to what extent break-downs and mass panic. Jones our knowledge about citizen responses to said that because the Second World air raids in WWII is a myth, and what the War continued for so long it is reality tells us about mental health. always possible to find examples of Studying civilians during wartime is each of these reactions. particularly interesting as it can give us The Ramsgate railway tunnels are an idea of how normal people deal with one example of people, seemingly, stress and trauma. Before the war there being unable to cope. Thousands of was a general opinion, influenced by people lived in squalid conditions inside was perpetuated by the 1940 film Wilfred Trotter, a professor of surgery, the tunnels to escape extensive bombing London Can Take It!, which presents that significant threats to life or in the area and many refused to leave. British civilians as a hardy bunch and an independence made people pull together The authorities were concerned this was army in their own right, protecting the but only in groups that were closely lowering morale and so brought in troops city and battling through the air raids. bonded and disciplined. There was a view to clear people out. Great resilience in the This was largely used to convince the that more diverse or disparate groups face of disaster was also seen, such as in Americans of our national resilience. would react with panic in such situations, Bank Underground Station where a bomb However scientist and anthropologist and would require the military or the on the main concourse sent a devastating Tom Harrison criticised this and argued emergency services to manage them. blast straight down the escalators. that, if people looked under the surface, Psychiatrists fed into this view at the However a Hungarian doctor, Z.A. there were numerous cases of people outbreak of World War II, suggesting Leitner, who happened to be in the suffering breakdowns and exhibiting a network of special psychiatric hospitals station, went along the platform treating psychosomatic disorders. be set up on the outskirts of highly 40 passengers. He said he did not find However, Jones said, researchers J.D. populated areas to cope with the a single hysterical or shouting patient. Bernal and Solly Zuckerman looked into predicted influx of psychiatric patients. The idea of Blitz Spirit, Jones said, the impact of air raids on morale in Better living through fashion

‘Fashion is not something that exists influence, the field of fashion psychology human impact of the availability of such in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, is relatively new. ‘disposable’ clothing? In April 2013 Rana in the street, fashion has to do with Dr Mair was clear to focus on the Plaza, a factory in Bangladesh producing ideas, the way we live, what is many positive aspects of the fashion garments for shops such a Primark and happening.’ Coco Chanel industry during the workshop. Creativity Matalan, collapsed killing 1134 people. and innovation drive the industry forward Inadequate safety standards were blamed, What does psychology have to contribute and engage many people in fulfilling and after warnings to evacuate the building to the fashion industry? At the start of her absorbing careers. However, Dr Mair when cracks appeared were ignored. thought-provoking workshop in argues that there are numerous aspects of Despite widespread shock and Liverpool, Dr Carolyn Mair (Reader in the fashion industry that have a negative condemnation of working conditions, it Psychology at the London College of impact on people’s lives, and this is where appears that little has changed to improve Fashion) drew upon the famous Chanel psychology has an important role to play. the lives of workers [tinyurl.com/pfpqfzz]. quote to highlight the pervasive nature of Three of the issues described at the During the workshop, delegates and fashion in our everyday lives. Employing workshop were around the human cost of facilitators discussed whether attempting around one million people in the UK and cheap fashion, body-image representation, to connect consumers with the people with a turnover of more than £25 billion and anti-ageing products. who manufacture our cheap clothing a year, the fashion industry can dictate not Clothing is cheaper and more readily would alter our desire for new products. only the clothes that we wear, but also the available than ever before, with high street If this changed perceptions and way in which we perceive ourselves and clothing shops seeming to cater for our purchasing habits, then what impact others. A clear example of this comes need for reward. Delegates discussed the might this have on the workers who from the images of models that are used short-term buzz they gained from depend on our desire? in advertising, and the messages that are purchasing a new item to wear (perhaps Another key issue raised in the used to sell clothes and beauty products. for a party, night out, or even a workshop concerned the impact of However, despite this potentially powerful conference). But do we consider the imagery and advertising on consumers.

544 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference the crowd

Birmingham, which was economically setting an example for the rest of the in tune in’ leaflet which was distributed thriving, compared to Hull, which was population, demonstrating the stiff upper by the Home Office in 2004 which gives economically suffering. In Hull they lip shown throughout the earlier war. people advice in the case of any kind of found 53 per cent of the 700-strong However this restrained response to disaster. It encourages people to stay at sample suffered no symptoms with 20 per psychological trauma could convert into home whereas in World War II civilians cent of men and 53 per cent of women physical symptoms – indeed, there was a were encouraged to carry on as normal. showing a slight to moderate neuroses. rise in psychosomatic illness, particularly Jones then went on to give conflicting They concluded morale was higher than peptic ulcers. examples of civilian resilience in modern anticipated and found little evidence of Jones concluded that there was no times. Using the example of the five Sarin panic in Birmingham. real evidence for a total collapse in morale gas attacks on the Tokyo subway, Jones Jones also pointed out that while the during World War II, though there was a pointed out that the ratio of people who air raids killed almost 30,000 people in rise in incidence of psychosomatic illness, sought care after the incident compared to London this equates to only 0.3 per cent particularly among people who were those who actually needed it was 450 to 1, of the population. Across other heavily exposed to the greatest risk such as those suggesting a level of panic. Also during bombed cities the number of people killed in the emergency services. So, how did the 1991 Gulf War eight people died as did not exceed 0.6 per cent of the people cope? Jones said people coped a result of missiles from Iraq, but of those population (Coventry). In Coventry there largely by engaging with the defence of six occurred due to misuse of gas masks were reports of panic on one particularly the country. There were volunteering causing them to suffocate (the victims heavy night of bombing, but the chances opportunities within the fire service, even included the medically trained). of being killed in an air raid were police and Home Guard which may well However, in contrast, after the 9/11 mathematically slim. But the allies learned have offered people a sense of control terrorist attacks civilians left the buildings from this evidence and delivered attacks which would be psychologically useful. in an orderly way and showed altruistic of great intensity. In Hamburg air raids What relevance may all this hold for behaviour throughout. Could this be killed almost 6 per cent of the city’s the people of today? Jones said that these because an earlier terrorist attack on the population. days we are encouraged to be emotionally towers had resulted in enhanced security Could the British culture of stoicism intelligent rather than stoical, and in the and evacuation procedures? mean that people were just keeping their 1940s there was a greater emphasis on Jones concluded by saying that we distress to themselves? Jones pointed out social support even in cities and urban know very little about the longer-term that the middle-aged and older population environments. We can see the differences effects the extensive air raids in WWII during WWII would have lived through in responses from the government too: actually had on civilians – how did people the First World War and may have been Jones used the example of the ‘Go in, stay manage when peace returned? ER

Dr Mair demonstrated the adopted by the workshop, delegates considered whether eurocentric bias in the industry. Western cultures could learn to celebrate modelling industry with Why do we prize the signs of ageing, rather than stigmatise reference to the famous the appearance of them. fashion magazine Vogue. youth so much, such I attended this workshop alongside In 123 years of that the ‘anti-ageing some of my undergraduate students, and publication, just 14 (<1 industry’ is worth we came away with our interest piqued in per cent) cover photos billions of pounds per an area where we had scarcely considered depicted models from year? In stark the application of psychology before. Dr black or minority ethnic contemplation, it may Mair now aims to build a network of groups. Furthermore, the seem slightly bizarre psychologists who might be interested in almost ubiquitous use of to think that we can working on addressing the issues raised in tall, thin, and able-bodied halt the natural the workshop. Her goal is to draw up an models means that for Coco Chanel in 1920 physical changes that action plan for using psychology to most of us, our body shape accompany the ageing enhance wellbeing through the vehicle of and size is unrepresented in the mass process. However, many women (in fashion. ED media. Research has shown that this fuels particular, although men are not immune) I For more on Dr Mair’s work, see The body dissatisfaction in women, and this seek to ‘hide’ grey hairs, or ‘reduce’ Psychologist archive can contribute to mental and physical wrinkles, sometimes beginning this (tinyurl.com/q3h5cfx) health issues (Grabe, Ward & Hyde, inexorable relationship during their 2008). Delegates agreed that a wider twenties. Dr Mair’s research has explored Reference representation of body shape, size, race this phenomenon, and she seeks to Grabe, S., Ward, L. M. & Hyde, J. S. (2008). The role of and ability would be a positive move, but challenge the industry norm that ageing the media in body image concerns among women: were unsure of whether this would be should be concealed. During the A meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies. Psychological Bulletin, 134(3), 460.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 545 annual conference A discourse around death On the second day of the British focuses on people living with heart failure, or clinical team, on the basis of a patient’s Psychological Society’s Annual Conference a life-limiting condition, and she spoke ‘perceived best interests’. an eminent panel held a moving and about the depression commonly Kitzinger also outlined some issues enlightening discussion around death, experienced by people at the end of their with advance decisions and concerns over dying, end of life and palliative care. The lives. She said that depression was the their use. Some people worry they will not speakers discussed patient needs at the strongest predictor of short-term decline be available when they are needed and end of life, the psychological problems of people with life-limiting conditions. whether they will be respected by doctors that can arise at this time, making Dr Stocker also outlined the or simply ignored. She added that decisions about care before the end of life importance of support for carers, psychologists could play a role in helping and the role for psychologists in palliative describing them as an ‘often-neglected people to explore treatment options when care. group’. She said that there is a particular making advance decisions in the context Professor Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, burden on carers due to the change in the of their own values and relationships. She consultant in palliative medicine and emotional context of their relationship said that her own mother had an advance independent crossbench peer in the House decision in place and said it was of Lords, gave an impassioned talk about wonderful for her family to know her

what was important to patients at the end T preferences when the end of her life came of their lives. She talked through some of ONY about earlier this year. D the most common fears raised by patients ALE Dr Elaine McWilliams, a consultant from the Choice in End of Life Care clinical psychologist and Chair of the BPS Programme Board review, commissioned End-of-Life Care Working Party, said to provide the government with many of the patients she sees are having information on improving palliative care. their first experience of depression, panic One of these was a desire to have attacks, anxiety and fear at the end of involvement and control over decisions their lives. She said if these things are not made about their care. Finlay pointed out attended to in a timely fashion it can lead that patients often say they want clear, to more expensive care for patients as well truthful messages from doctors and as increasing distress in both patients and clinical teams. She said many patients carers. fear medical staff will give up on them According to McWilliams, the role too soon. ‘People want access to the right with the patient, and Stocker emphasised of psychologists in palliative care is often services when they need them… a disease the crucial importance of early diagnosis overlooked. Psychology is a broad area, does not respect the clock or calendar, and treatment of depression for carers and and she asked whether psychologists in and it is unacceptable to wait even an patients alike. such circumstances are often invisible – hour for pain relief,’ she said. Celia Kitzinger, Professor at the patients do not realise they need a Finlay also pointed out that patients University of York and co-director of psychologist until they have had needed support with their physical, the Chronic Disorders of Consciousness experience of one. She emphasised the emotional, social and spiritual needs. She Research Centre, gave a moving and importance of more research in this area: said that in communicating with patients personal talk about advance decisions – ‘I advocate that psychology is in it was vitally important for clinicians to go a written record of a person’s healthcare everything to do with palliative and end- beyond listening with their ears, to ‘use preferences that is written and signed of-life care. Psychologists can lead and your eyes to pick up on non-verbal cues, before a person loses the capacity to inspire good psychological care, this is listen with undivided attention and listen make those decisions. Professor Kitzinger one of the roles of psychologists in the with your heart. Patients pick up that you said that particularly in disorders of same way as those who research good are listening with your heart.’ consciousness, which includes long-term medicine. We do not have to be the ones Baroness Finlay moved on to criticise coma after serious brain injuries, people to deliver, but good psychological research the Assisted Dying Bill, saying it was a are affected suddenly, and many young informs good psychological care.’ euphemism for physician-assisted suicide people are also affected probably before McWilliams said a particular area of or euthanasia. She said that pro-assisted they have had chance to think about the interest for research is something she calls dying groups say that people die anyway end-of-life care they would want. the ‘uncertain reprieve’, when a person is once treatment is stopped. She said: ‘You Kitzinger outlined several cases of receiving end-of-life care and stop an intervention because it’s not people who remained in comas for many unexpectedly improves and begins achieving its goal, sometimes you stop years, including Tony Bland, who was receiving palliative care again. She said treatment and people get better. Most of injured at the Hillsborough disaster and this can pose serious psychological the time we agonise over it, but they die remained in a coma for three years. She challenges both to patients and carers and when they were going to die. It’s different said that as long as a person has mental can include post-traumatic stress–type to giving someone drugs to bring about capacity they are able to make their own symptoms. She said: ‘This is an their death.’ treatment choices and refuse treatment if informative and rich research area. What Dr Rachel Stocker (Durham they wish. However, in the circumstance patients tell you is it’s like coming back University), who wrote a Parliamentary that mental capacity is lost an advance from the dead, and they can tell you what Office of Science and Technology (POST) decision can be used to guide medical it is really like to receive end-of-life care.’ note on palliative and end-of-life care last professionals. If no advance decision is in Carers and relatives, she said, in these year, was next to speak. Her research place, decisions will be made by a doctor situations have often been feeling pre-

546 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference Rosy outlook bereavement and grief, and after an Ninety-five per cent of academics think have evolved this way so that we don’t get uncertain reprieve can experience a wide they are in the top 5 per cent of too stressed. And when danger looms, the range of psychological symptoms performers in their field. They’re not the bias changes. Make people stressed by themselves. only ones with a rosy outlook – on nearly giving them a surprise presentation, Finally, Simon Chapman, Director any measure, such as chances of divorce, Sharot has shown, and now their update of Policy, Intelligence and Parliamentary or chances of having gifted kids – most bias disappears and they take on negative Affairs, for the National Council for people are ridiculously information more readily. Palliative Care and the Dying Matters overly optimistic. Sharot has also studied how

Coalition showed a campaign video from Tali Sharot of T the update bias differs across ONY the coalition. He emphasised that people University College the lifespan (it is weakest in D often shy away from speaking about London, winner in the ALE mid-life when people are death; despite meticulously planning popular science category usually at their most stressed), every other large life event, many people in the BPS Book Awards and she’s uncovered the brain do not have funeral plans or end-of-life for The Optimism Bias – regions that are involved (the treatment plans in place. He said death Why We’re Wired to Look left inferior frontal gyrus is was the ‘last great taboo’ in our society. on the Bright Side, told the especially important). This could be down to fear, Chapman conference about her This is an impressive body said, a poll found that around 60 to 80 attempts to understand of research conducted at per cent of people have real fears around how people sustain this different levels from behavioural dying and death, whereas only 40 per optimism in the light of to neural, and, as Sharot explained, cent have fears about money and other feedback from reality. She’s found that it also has real-life significance, such as economic problems. He said that people make large adjustments to their helping to explain the role of over- encouraging a discourse around death beliefs in light of good news, but only confidence in market bubbles, and may help to remove some of this fear as minor adjustments in the wake of conversely, how and why people can well as ensuring our loved ones have the negative information. overreact in times of apparent danger, death they wanted. ER This sounds unhelpful, but we might such as in the wake of terror threats. CJ

Mind the gap

The last time you saw the gap could be made to someone running for a train, appear or disappear depending did they seem to be carefully upon how you analysed the deciding where to place their performance data. Typically feet on the platform, how best the cognitive task would be to avoid suitcases, how not to looked at in terms of efficiency run into the small child in the – the proportion of money way? Or did it seem to be an earned relative to a instinctive process that didn’t hypothetical optimal actually look like decision participant who always made making at all? If you had to the right choice. This sets high compare that with the last performance standards not series of decisions you made usually set for the other types at work, which would seem of tasks. An alternative easiest? approach is to look for In the Outstanding deviations from what is Doctoral Research Award talk, rationally optimal to do for Andreas Jarvstad (University each task – comparing best-fit of Bristol) decried the so- parameters for each task. called ‘perception–cognition completed a classic decision- task and a perceptuo-motor People actually over-weight gap’ – the argument that making task involving task, where they had to point low probabilities in each type people are really good at choosing between a high at targets. If the perception- of task, it is just that this making sensory decisions amount of money that was less cognition gap was real then question is only usually asked such as where to place our feet probable and a low amount you would expect people to do of cognitive decision-making but not so good at cognitive that was more probable. well in both the pointing and tasks. Analysed in this way decisions. In one of the studies However, Jarvstad had the arithmetic tasks, but not the people do equally well, or from his PhD at the University same participants also decision-making task. badly, across perception and of Cardiff participants complete a mental-arithmetic What he found was that cognitive tasks. AJ

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 547 annual conference Vicarious trauma

Vicarious trauma occurs when people a non-clinical per cent still thought hear firsthand experiences of trauma and population of about 9/11. Ramsden have similar symptoms to people who people who had said 22 per cent of suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder no firsthand the people she (PTSD). People working in crisis experience of studied were situations may have symptoms that are trauma, but used significantly affected nearly identical to people who were a clinical measure by media events and exposed to the trauma firsthand. for PTSD and a scored highly on Dr Pam Ramsden (University of vicarious trauma measures of PTSD. Bradford) referred to research in the measure in relation The participants early 2000s that revealed that people who to the following were also given a had watched more coverage of the 9/11 events; 9/11, the murder of Lee Rigby, personality questionnaire, and Ramsden terrorist attacks had more substantial and Madeleine McCann’s disappearance. found the best predictor of vicarious stress reactions than those who watched Scores on the vicarious trauma measure trauma was extroversion. She concluded less. Another study found the hours of indicated that almost 20 per cent of that although vicarious PTSD is not TV coverage of the attacks was a strong participants were in distress. More than recognised in the general population predictor of acute stress disorder, PTSD half of the participants said they still it could play a role in mental health and PTSD symptoms. think about the Lee Rigby murder and problems – people need to ‘connect the In her own work Ramsden looked at disappearance of Madeleine McCann, 46 dots’. ER Cleaning up with spillover

The role of psychologists success in leading people may theoretically lead them think about other green in encouraging people to to change their carbon to be more conscious about behaviours, there was not consider climate change in consumption habits. She said the environment in other an increase in other types their behaviour was the policies focusing on changing behaviours, an effect known as of environmentally friendly subject of a symposium on one behaviour at a time could behavioural spillover. But what behaviour. The policy did lead the first day of the conference, be making problems worse – conditions are needed for this to people seeing themselves as hosted by the British if a person is encouraged to to occur? It seems that people more waste-conscious though Psychological Society’s better insulate their home, need to change internal – Whitmarsh suggested that Behaviour Change Advisory they may subsequently spend attributions of such behaviour, this shift in identity could Group. the money saved on energy on and there’s also evidence that mean more behaviours may Lorraine Whitmarsh a long-haul flight to an exotic the first behaviour someone begin to change over time. (Cardiff University) said destination. changes should be a harder-to- Cathy Davidoff, a clinical individuals had a big role to However, Whitmarsh change one. Then the person psychologist and member of play in climate change, but so added, if people change one may be more inclined to do Change4Chalfont, then gave far policies have led to limited environmental behaviour this easier things later down the a firsthand account of how her line. Clusters of behaviour also village is trying to encourage emerge – for example, people a greener approach to life. who compost waste food The group has been involved AVOIDING THE EFFECTS OF OSTRACISM seemed more likely to also in a wide range of activities, recycle and reuse. Such including the planting of a Generally it is sensible to avoid things that cause us pain and threaten patterns suggest that community orchard and the our survival. Experiential avoidance (EA) refers to such an adaptive behavioural spillover is more use of thermal cameras to see response to unwanted psychological events, such as negative feelings likely to happen within groups actual heat loss from houses. or memories. rather than between them. This resulted in a second event Daniel Waldeck (University of Chichester) explored the use of One study looked at the where these homeowners were EA in response to perceived ostracism, noting that in the past being effects of the carrier bag charge told how to make their homes excluded from our social group was a serious threat to survival as it introduced in Wales. more energy efficient. Davidoff Whitmarsh said that six said it had been useful to ask affected access to resources, shelter and protection. In a sample of months after the charge was people to make small over 200 people aged between 18 and 88 years, high levels of EA introduced there was a commitments to the charity, were associated with greater perceived ostracism but also with significant increase in the for example attending the greater distress measured a week later. It appears that low use of numbers of people taking their home energy efficiency event, EA may actually better support recovery from the effects of own bags to the shops. as it made them more likely to ostracism. AJ However as the policy did not engage in pro-environmental try to encourage people to behaviours later. ER

548 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 annual conference

I don’t want to spoil YOUR REPORTERS the party… Dr Emma L. Davies – Oxford Brookes University Professor Gail Kinman – …but ‘Everything you know ‘classics’, but we should activity shown on an image University of Bedfordshire about psychology is wrong’, question assumptions about taken from a dead salmon, to Dr Alana James – Royal according to the title of Dr their influence and status. illustrate the foibles of Holloway, University of Philip Banyard’s magical As teachers, we often feel scanning methods. He argued London mystery tour through myths as though we work eight days that, although these Dr Christian Jarrett – Research in psychology, education, and a week marking, preparing techniques are here, there and Digest Editor methods. Dr Banyard’s our lectures, or giving our everywhere, we should be Ella Rhodes – Journalist keynote in the student stream students the help they need. wary of being impressed by at the Annual Conference was However, putting yourself fancy equipment. Could brain Dr Jon Sutton – Managing Editor an entertaining and thought- through this misery may be of scanning be the new provoking call to action, little benefit when it comes to phrenology? For additional reports, see which served to question our getting better student Despite the title of the thepsychologist.bps.org.uk. overreliance on the usual feedback. A study conducted talk, Dr Banyard’s overarching For information on next suspects in our teaching. by Dr Banyard and his message to students was not year’s event, to be held in Portraying Milgram and colleagues suggests that it’s to run for your life, and pick Nottingham next April, see Zimbardo as the ‘Two Ronnies’ only love that matters. another subject, but to be www.bps.org.uk/ac2016 of psychology, Banyard Feedback does not appear to sceptical and think for described how psychology be related to the quality of the yourself when you learn about As this year’s event was in students across the universe learning experience that you something new. As educators, Liverpool, which remains are inducted into our deliver, but to how your we may also need to get back Beatles crazy, Emma Davies discipline via such studies, students feel about you. to basics and the value of our took up our challenge of carefully crafting almost Perhaps it is worth thinking of current teaching in order to shoehorning Beatles lyrics/song identical essays to all who a few jokes, or handing out move on from what we did titles into the report to the left. have gone before them. Is it small amounts of money to yesterday, ensuring that the How many can you spot? There’s time for a revolution? Banyard get those ratings up! real excitement and value of a prize on offer… let us know on (Nottingham Trent University) Banyard also entertained psychology can be conveyed Twitter @psychmag. argues that there’s a place for us with evidence of brain to our students. ED Now for something completely different…

The morning after the gala dinner at my people who had until then felt ‘just conference presentations where all the 16th Annual Conference, it’s fair to say nowhere’. researchers have done is slap those words I was in the mood for something different. But what really made this symposium on a PowerPoint slide, read it out, job I certainly got it in this symposium, on stand out was the psychologists’ ‘long- done. This was something else entirely, sport and adventure activity to support term commitment to exploring data showing theory and research findings in military personnel and veterans through a range of creative processes’. an evocative fashion. Importantly, it was recovering from trauma or injury. There was a story of surfing and PTSD, a form of knowledge translation, creating The work described was interesting performed by Nick Caddick a text that audiences outside academia can enough, beginning with Suzanne Peacock (Loughborough University) based on his engage with. and David Carless from Leeds Beckett interviews with people taking part in It’s well worth seeking out some of University describing their work with The Cornwall-based Surf Action. The aim was their work and performances on YouTube. Battle Back Centre for wounded, injured to ‘evoke the world intensely’, and it Douglas is a former professional golfer, and sick service personnel. For many certainly did that. Then there was a play, and a very talented musician to boot. attending this residential course, the with songs, performed by Carless along The piece on identity development and physical and psychological challenges on with Kitrina Douglas. I was gripped; interpretive privilege is beautiful, as are offer represented the first time they felt Carless was overcome by emotion at the ‘Across the Tamar’ and ‘Gwithian Sands’ genuine support: ‘Once they get you home end. He was truly embodying the stories which explore the lives, physical activity to safety, you are forgotten about’, one of his participants. and experiences of women over 60 living soldier commented. Those taking part To me, this was a real eye-opener. in Cornwall. Or there’s a documentary had expected the course would be ‘just The speakers described informal moments with Carless on song-writing, sexuality, military’, with a non-negotiable, with their participants, sitting quietly, same-sex attraction and growing up in the controlling environment; or ‘soft’, with sometimes with the tape recorder on, hegemonically masculine world of sport. lots of ‘group hugging’. What they in fact sometimes not… how do they then In sum, this was a wake-up call for discovered was a place that opened doors present that person’s story in a sensitive me, and I hope it can be for others as to new possibilities for the future, for way? I’ll admit, I’ve sat through plenty of well. JS

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 549 CIVIL LIABILITY INSURANCE

We know what it’s like to be there for others, to go it alone, to be the one to make a difference

Which is why our policy is tailored to your individual circumstances with rates starting from only £70 a year*. You will only need one civil liability policy to protect you and your business as well as having access to a free legal and tax helpline.

To get the right level of cover call us on EXCLUSIVE 0330 123 5130 RATES FOR Or visit www.towergateinsurance.co.uk BPS MEMBERS Or email [email protected]

*Based on £1m indemnity cover purchased online, subject to underwriting acceptance Towergate Insurance is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No. 4043759. Registered address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

CPD Events for Mental Health Professionals Upcoming Workshops: Working with Internet, Social Media and Gaming Addiction ! $)%#$'" Cross-Cultural Psychology and Identity %'%#$'" Evolutionary Explanations for Common Mental Health Disorders (%#$'" The British Psychological Society’s Dementia Advisory Working Therapeutically with Gender Identity Group would like to recruit two members, with expertise in %( %#$'" Working with Physical Disability in Counselling the area of dementia within Scotland and Northern Ireland, !" %#$' to take up positions on the core Advisory Group. An Introduction to Existential Psychotherapy Chaired by Professor Linda Claire, the Advisory Group is ! %#$' An Integrative Approach for Working with OCD & Compulsive Hoarding (CH) the central expertise hub for the Society’s external work $& %#$' around dementia and provides expert input into the Society’s For more information and to book a place visit www.psychevents.co.uk Policy Team. The positions are initially for 12 months, with a further 12 months possible pending approval, and will involve 2 face-to-face meetings and 2 teleconference meetings Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training annually. In addition to attendance at meetings, members will Extended with RFT and FAP - Kings Cross, London be involved in drafting written contributions to Society With ACBS peer-reviewed ACT trainers produced publications around Dementia. Including assessment of your learning through regular supervision The Advisory Group is involved in the development of 1. ACT Experiential Introduction with Martin Wilks & Henry content and resources around Dementia for the Society and Whitfield 26-27 Sept + 17-18 Oct 2015 supporting and advising the Society on responses to public 2. ACT Intermediate level skills training with Martin Wilks & Henry consultations. Currently the Advisory Group is working on Whitfield 21-22 Nov + 5-6 Dec 2015 the development of a dementia position statement. 3. Fortnightly supervision including feedback on recordings, with Martin Wilks. If you would like further information on the role and the 4. New Online Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (FAP) Training group or would like to request a statement of interest form starting end of September with Jonathan W. Kanter please contact [email protected]. Statement of interest MBCT Experiential Intro with Martin Wilks 12-13 Sept + 10-11 Oct forms should be received by the office no later than10am on Mindfulness Training Ltd. the 3 August 2015. To book call 020 7183 2485 or visit www.presentmind.org

550 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Psychology heaven and hell Celebrating a decade of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest blog Wednesday 9 December 7-10pm Introduction Dr Jon Sutton (Managing Editor, The Psychologist) Senate House, London Methods Dr Christian Jarrett (Editor, Research Digest) Results Professor Andy Field #digestblog10 (University of Sussex) Discussion Professor Uta Frith For further information and booking (University College London) www.bps.org.uk/digest/10 Conclusion Wine and nibbles

Supported by

www.psypress.com

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 551 over just a few hours (in the case of T20 cricket). The constraints of the game, including the long duration, breaks in

ARTICLE play for drinks, lunch, tea, and of course weather, all create a series of obstacles that successful players need to respond It’s not just cricket effectively to. In sum, arguably the biggest challenge As the 2015 Ashes series comes to England, Jamie Barker and Matt Slater to a cricketer is not the learning of the consider the psychology at play skills – most players have reasonable techniques. Instead, the biggest challenge is being able to deal with the many Cricket is a sport that brings with it I think ability is a 10 to 20 per cent psychological factors that can affect many psychological challenges and requirement, you need 80 to 90 per thinking and, ultimately, performance demands that players must deal cent mental strength. during a game. So let’s explore what with to be successful. As the 2015 Glenn McGrath, performance-related psychological factors Ashes series is almost with us, former Australian cricketer will be at play for England and Australian what are the main psychological players during the 2015 Ashes series. factors that players are likely to Cricket is a game that obviously encounter? And what psychological requires talent, but when talent is techniques are there available to equal, as it so often is, the formula for Self-efficacy (confidence) sport and exercise psychologists to success comes from strength of When you have it (confidence) you feel promote effective player thinking, mind. like you’re never going to lose it, behaviour, and performance? Steve Waugh, when you haven’t got it, you feel like As you tune into this summer’s former Australian captain you’re never going to get it. Ashes series, perhaps this article Matthew Hayden, will give you a greater n July and August the England and former Australian cricketer consideration of the psychology Australian men’s cricket teams will go behind one of sport’s greatest Ihead to head in a five-match test series Due to the many uncontrollable factors in contests. for the honour of winning the prestigious cricket (e.g. playing conditions, umpiring Ashes. It’s a long-standing and fierce decisions) and the fact that statistically rivalry (see box), and one that seems to cricketers fail more times than they What are the main psychological factors grow in psychological significance with succeed, the ability for cricketers to cricketers are likely to face? each meeting. regulate and maintain self-efficacy is Cricket is a unique sport on many crucial for success (Bull et al., 2005). What are the most effective levels. On the one hand it is a team game When out in the middle, a batsman’s questions questions psychological techniques cricketers can played by 11 individuals who combine to efficacy can change from situation to draw upon? form an effective fielding unit, where situation as they are faced with different How do sport and exercise psychologists thinking and acting as one is the ultimate bowlers, playing conditions and match determine the mental health of aim (similar to sports such as football, situations. It is important players have cricketers? rugby, and basketball). On the other hand an awareness of how self-efficacy is cricket is an individual sport with the influenced, and their most important batter playing, in some senses, for sources of self-efficacy information. They Bell., J.J., Hardy, L. & Beattie, S. (2013). themselves and their own individual must develop strategies to regulate self- Enhancing mental toughness and performance. At the same time, though, efficacy throughout a game, test series, performance under pressure in elite cricket is also a contest between two and season. young cricketers. Sport, Exercise, and resources individuals where the batter and bowler Empirically, data indicate self-efficacy Performance Psychology, 2(4), 281–297. Cotterill, S.C. & Barker, J.B. (2013). The spar and joust to try and get the upper to be a strong and consistent predictor of psychology of cricket: Developing hand in an attempt to land the knockout individual athletic performance (e.g. Kane mental toughness. London: Bennion blow. Cricket also has many different et al., 1996; Treasure et al., 1996). Self- Kearny. formats and can be played over many efficacy levels are proposed to impact days, over one day (40 or 50 overs), or sport performance by determining levels

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The self-modeling to enhance self- maintained effects of hypnosis on in elite English cricketers. Journal of exercise of control. New York: efficacy: A case study in cricket. The self-efficacy and soccer wall-volley Applied Sport Psychology, 17, 209–227. Freeman. Sport Psychologist, 20, 94–110. performance. Journal of Sport & Brearley, M. (2001). The art of captaincy. Barker, J.B., Evans, A.E., Coffee, P. et al. Barker, J.B. & Jones, M.V. (2008). The Exercise Psychology, 32, 243–252. London: Channel 4.

references (2014). Consulting on tour: A dual- effects of hypnosis on self-efficacy, Beilock, S. (2011). Choke: What the Clark, S.E. & Ste-Marie, D.M. (2007). phase personal-disclosure mutual- affect, and sport performance: A secrets of the brain reveal about Investigating the impact of self-as-a- sharing intervention and group case study from professional English getting it right when you have to. New model interventions on children’s functioning in elite youth cricket. The soccer. Journal of Clinical Sport York: Free Press. self-regulation of learning and Sport Psychologist, 28, 186–197. Psychology, 2, 127–147. Bull, S., Shambrook, C., James, W. & swimming performance. Journal of Barker, J.B. & Jones, M.V. (2006). Using Barker, J.B., Jones, M.V. & Greenlees, I. Brooks, J. (2005). Towards an Sports Sciences, 25, 577–596. hypnosis, technique refinement and (2010). Assessing the immediate and understanding of mental toughness Cotterill, S.T. (2010). Pre-performance

552 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 cricket and the Ashes

of motivation that will be reflected in the challenges individuals undertake, the A special rivalry effort they expend, and their levels of perseverance Competing for the Ashes urn dates back to August 1882 and (Bandura, 1997). Self- England’s infamous defeat to Australia at The Oval. The Sporting efficacy judgements have Times ran a mock obituary outlining the ‘Death of English also been shown to Cricket’, finishing with ‘The body will be cremated and the ashes influence certain thought taken to Australia’. England set sail to Australia several weeks patterns (e.g. goal later, with captain Ivo Bligh given the responsibility of leading intentions, worries, causal England. While he was playing at a social match at Rupertswood attributions) and emotional Estate, a group of ladies presented him with the four-inch urn, reactions (e.g. pride, believed to have a burned bail inside, as a symbol of the Ashes shame, happiness, sadness) of English cricket. that influence motivation. To this day The Ashes test series remains one of the most Typically, people exhibiting prestigious competitions in cricket. The ferocity and intensity of high self-efficacy work the rivalry is unique, with many cultural and sporting differences harder, persist in the task contributing. Although the game was invented in England, longer and achieve at a development of the Australian national cricket academy and the higher level over and above quality of the domestic league have been a breeding ground for those who doubt their own elite talent. And while Australia is still part of the Commonwealth capabilities. and the UK the mother country, any sporting contest is an Because self-efficacy opportunity to put one over on the ‘old enemy’ and provide is important for success, further evidence for independence and autonomy. a variety of psychological This summer, the psychological readiness of the England strategies (i.e. modelling, team will arguably take on even more significance following the feedback, imagery, self-talk crushing 5–0 defeat they suffered in the last Ashes contest in and hypnosis) have been Australia, a series that included challenges such as batsman used by sport psychologists Jonathan Trott returning home due to a ‘stress-related illness’, to engender athletes’ spin-bowler Graeme Swann retiring from cricket midway through regulation of self-efficacy the series, and Kevin Pietersen’s alleged constant disapproval of levels (Short & Ross- the team’s management and leadership style. In comparison, the Stewart, 2009). Typically, Australian team are likely to approach the series with renewed these strategies are confidence following their first Ashes victory since 2007. Extra suggested to be effective poignancy will be added as the Australian team will be without by influencing one or more their much respected batsman Philip Hughes, who tragically lost sources of self-efficacy his life after being hit on the head during a domestic game in information (as outlined November 2014. A challenge for the Australian players will be in Bandura’s taxonomy), regulating any thoughts, feelings, and emotions relating to his which in turn influence loss in order to perform effectively. expectations and then behaviour. To illustrate, observing competent models successfully perform actions, or complete a series of cricket tasks or had 10 days without an innings in the the self-modelling of actions, influences skills (e.g. playing a particular shot or middle, so he spent an hour watching self-efficacy by conveying information taking a catch in the slips). The player his big score at Lord’s ‘to get the about the sequence of actions one should subsequently views the recording as part blood flowing, and rekindle good use to succeed (e.g. Bandura, 1997; Clark of their preparation for games to boost memories’. In the bus back from the & Ste-Marie, 2007). Self-modelling in their efficacy by providing key past ground to hotel at the close of play, cricket may involve a player recording experience and modelling experiences the whole squad watched a video of their own performance (either in practice information (see Barker & Jones, 2006). personal highlights during the day’s or competition) as they successfully Before the Trent Bridge Test, he had play. Smith thinks this works well,

routines in sport: Current Kearny. secrets-its-skeletons-6262322.html Eastbourne: Bailliere Tindall. understanding and future directions. Escarti, A. & Guzman, J.F. (1999). Effects Hammond, D.C. (1990). Hypnotic Hill, A.P., Hall, H.K., Appleton, P.R. & International Review of Sport & of feedback on self-efficacy, suggestions and metaphors. New Kozub, S.R. (2008). Perfectionism Exercise Psychology, 3, 132–153. performance and choice in an York: Norton. and burnout in junior elite soccer Cotterill, S.T. (2011). Experiences of athletic task. Journal of Applied Sport Hanton, S. & Jones, G. (1999). The effects players: The mediating influence of developing pre-performance routines Psychology, 11, 83–96. of a multimodal intervention unconditional self-acceptance. with elite cricket players. Journal of Frith, D. (2011, 15 November). Cricket program on performers: II. Training Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9, Sport Psychology in Action, 2, 81–91. has its dark secrets, its skeletons. the butterflies to fly in formation. The 630–644. Cotterill, S.C. & Barker, J.B. (2013). The The Independent. Retrieved from Sport Psychologist, 13, 22–41. Jones, M.V., Mace, R.D., Bray, S.R. et al. psychology of cricket: Developing www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket Hartland, J. (1971). Medical and dental (2002). The impact of motivational mental toughness. London: Bennion /david-frith-cricket-has-its-dark- hypnosis and its clinical applications. imagery on the emotional state and

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 553 cricket and the Ashes

even with those who have had a bad and nomothetic designs day; they try always to find something we have demonstrated good for everyone. substantial increases in Mike Brearley, writing about athletes’ self-efficacy Graeme Smith, former and performance (see South Africa cricket captain Barker & Jones, 2006, 2008, Barker et al., Research has also examined the impact 2010). of feedback on self-efficacy. For example, In relation to Escarti and Guzman (1999) used cricket, we explored manipulated feedback and estimates of the effects of a multi- self-efficacy relative to an athletic task, model intervention on finding that performance feedback was the self-efficacy of a significantly related to increased self- male cricket leg-spin efficacy, performance and task choice. bowler (Barker & Self-efficacy can also be maintained via Jones, 2006). The images and imagery of successful intervention performance (e.g. Jones et al., 2002). To comprised: illustrate, players may use imagery prior I hypnosis and self- to batting, following the call from the hypnosis captain to loosen up prior to a bowling procedures (10 spell, or in the days leading up to an hypnosis sessions important game. were delivered Further, research has outlined the including cricket- positive contribution made by self-talk on specific ego- efficacy expectations (Hanton & Jones, strengthening suggestions and self- claimed, as a dismissal of sport 1999). For example, in a sample of elite hypnosis; a pre-performance routine psychology, that it ‘did not help Bob swimmers, self-talk altered perceptions of was developed for the cricketer to use Willis take “8 for” at Headingly’! anxiety responses, increased levels of self- the night before, and on the morning efficacy, and improved performance before each match); (Hanton & Jones, 1999). When used I refinement of the bowler’s technique, Concentration properly, positive self-talk can direct focusing on the run-up, head position The key to concentration is filling your attention to task relevant cues (i.e. ‘watch and follow-through; and mind with what you need to do to the ball’), raise efficacy and prevent the I self-modelling through the use of an ensure a successful action, for me to possible debilitating consequences of self- edited highlights reel. bat there must be nothing but the ball doubt (often due to negative self-talk). in my mind, this occupies my Finally, we have recently explored the Overall, the results revealed a substantial thoughts before every shot. use of hypnosis, including the use of ego- difference between pre- and post- Justin Langer, strengthening suggestions (Hartland, intervention self-efficacy levels, with this former Australian cricketer 1971) to facilitate self-efficacy beliefs in positive change being maintained in the athletes. The concept of ‘ego- long-term follow-up data. Importantly, Given the start-stop nature of cricket, strengthening’ involves helping bowling performance also improved the potentially long durations involved, participants to enhance feelings of self- across the post-intervention phases. and the many internal and external efficacy, self-worth and to minimise We should note that the use of distractions (e.g. player self-talk, anxiety and worrying. The essence of hypnosis in cricket is not a recent scoreboard, spectators, the opposition), this approach is to repeat suggestions of occurrence. Former England fast bowler cricketers need to be proficient in confidence and belief over and over so Bob Willis once remarked: ‘I’d played one regulating their concentration to be that the suggestions take hold in the of the self-hypnosis tapes to myself and successful (Bull et al., 2005). The current person’s subconscious mind and exert an was in the optimum state of readiness’ England test captain Alastair Cook has automatic influence on feelings, thoughts (prior to taking 8 for 43 against Australia reflected many times in the media that his and behaviour (Hammond, 1990). Across in the Headingly Test in 1981). ability to bat for prolonged periods of a series of studies using both idiographic Interestingly Sir Ian Botham once time (and deal with distractions) is

self-efficacy levels of novice Statesman. Retrieved from social identity approach to leadership efficacy, wrestling performance and climbers. Journal of Sport Behaviour, tinyurl.com/mt8vbv2 in sport. Reflective Practice: affect prior to competition. The Sport 25, 57–73. Short, S. & Ross-Stewart, L. (2009). A International and Multidisciplinary Psychologist, 10, 73–83. Kane, T.D., Marks, M.A., Zaccaro, S.J. & review of self-efficacy based Perspectives, 15(5), 672–685. Turner, M.J. (2014). Smarter thinking in Blair, V. (1996). Self-efficacy, personal interventions. In S.D. Mellalieu & S. Totterdell, P. (2000). Catching moods and sport. The Psychologist, 27(8), goals and wrestlers’ self-regulation. Hanton (Eds.) Advances in applied hitting runs: Mood linkage and 596–599. Journal of Sport and Exercise sport psychology (pp.221–280). subjective performance in Turner, M.J. & Barker, J.B. (2013a). Psychology, 18, 36–48. Abingdon: Routledge. professional sport teams. Journal of Examining the use of rational- Muller, A. (2013, 4 August). Suffering in Slater, M.J., Coffee, P., Barker, J.B. & Applied Psychology, 85, 848–859. emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on silence: What makes depression so Evans, A.L. (2014). Promoting shared Treasure, D.S., Monson, J. & Lox, C.L. irrational beliefs and anxiety in elite prevalent among cricketers? New meanings in group memberships: A (1996). Relationship between self- youth cricketers. Journal of Applied

554 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 S&G/S&G cricket and the Ashes AND

B refocus (recognising as humans we a defeat. To optimise performance it is ARRATTS cannot focus with the same intensity all crucial for players to make the most of the time). The individual components effective use of their emotions. /EMPICS S of the routine are actually not that Alastair Cook provides an interesting important, although it does help if these example here. Coupled with incredible

PORT components relate to what a player is focus is the England captain’s impressive about to do (execute their skills). consistency and apparent stability of his At the same time we need to emotions when he bats. To illustrate, remember that we do not want players to after Cook led England to victory against be having technical thoughts, as this will India in December 2012, teammate ultimately stop efficient skill execution Graham Onions commented how Cook and encourage possible choking is not a man to show a lot of emotion. responses (e.g. paralysis by analysis; see A consistent emotional state (e.g. Beilock, 2011). The ideal approach would remaining relaxed when he plays and be to develop consistent thoughts that misses), is likely to play a large part in link with the behaviours that already Alastair Cook’s consistent performances. exist as part of a players preparations. It’s important for players to enjoy the So it could be that a very simple mental highs of cricket (e.g. scoring a century) routine would involve saying ‘stance, and draw confidence from these balance, prepare, watch the ball’ successes, but of parallel importance is (Cotterill, 2011). letting mistakes or adverse situations pass without influencing how players feel (Cotterill & Barker, 2013). Indeed, Emotional control research has asserted the importance of It’s a mix of high skill levels and being emotional regulation for sport mainly due to his experiences of clear mentally, strong minded. With performance (see Uphill et al., 2009). belonging to a school choir from an early the noise and pressure it’s about how Being able to regulate expectations, age, which required him to spend long you control your emotions. the irrational beliefs and subsequent hours rehearsing and focusing on the Ashley Giles, former England cricketer emotions players experience has been the words and chords. core of our recent research in sport using One of the notorious aspects of the …if someone says something, you rational emotive behaviour therapy Ashes is the ‘sledging’ that will go on want to reply, but you realise he is (REBT) (Turner, 2014; Turner & Barker, between players, aimed at provoking trying to get importance out of picking 2013a; Turner et al., 2014). For example, a poor decision or a loss of emotional a fight with you. So then I think, I look we examined the efficacy of REBT control. In the 2013/14 Ashes series the and I move. Normally we react (comprising three counselling sessions Australian captain Michael Clarke was emotionally, so I try to keep my and two homework assignments) in heard on the stump microphone saying emotions in check. I can't do it every decreasing irrational beliefs and cognitive- to James Anderson (an England bowler) time. This is something I have anxiety in four elite youth cricketers between deliveries ‘get ready for a broken changed about myself, because in (Turner & Barker, 2013a). Visual and fucking arm’ , in an attempt to unsettle the past I would always react. Then statistical analyses indicated that the the player. To maintain concentration in I figured that not saying anything can REBT intervention reduced irrational the face of this, watch out for players sometimes be more powerful than belief and cognitive-anxiety in all four. using pre-performance routines (Cotterill, talking. Moreover, social validation data from the 2010) before each delivery: the batter Yuvraj Singh, former Indian cricketer players, parents, and the coach further checking their gloves or tapping their bat supported the quantitative data in that at the crease, the bowler spinning the ball In the sport of cricket players and coaches players were less anxious, had greater from one hand to another, or always sign up to experience a vast spectrum of emotional control, and had a more turning the same way at the end of their feelings, from the abundance of joy and effective perspective about the game of run up, the wicketkeeper checking their happiness gleaned from an important cricket. gloves in a specific order before then match victory, through the terrorising The mood and emotions at a team crouching. Routines offer a natural anxiety when preparing for a cup final, to level also affect cricket performance. To ‘trigger’ to either begin focusing, or to disappointment and dejection following illustrate ‘emotional contagion’ in cricket, data were collected from players across two professional teams using pocket computers to provide ratings of their moods and performances three times a Sport Psychology, 25(1), 133–147 144–156 Turner, M.J. & Barker, J.B. (2013b). Uphill, M., McCarthy, P.J. & Jones, M.V. day for four days during a competitive Resilience: Lessons from the 2012 (2009). Getting a grip on emotion match between the teams (Totterdell, Olympic Games. Reflective Practice, regulation in sport: Conceptual 2000). Analysis revealed significant 14(5), 622–631. foundations and practical application. associations between the average of Turner, M.J., Slater, M.J. & Barker, J.B. In S.D. Mellalieu & S. Hanton (Eds.) teammates’ happy moods and the players’ (2014). Not the end of the world: The Advances in applied sport psychology own moods and performances. Moreover, effects of rational emotive behavior (pp.162–194). Abingdon: Routledge. mood linkage was greater for players who therapy on the irrational beliefs of were older, more committed to the team, elite academy athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 26(2), and more susceptible to emotional contagion. These data imply that the

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 555 cricket and the Ashes

moods players display in the inner performance standards. When the captain cricketer can be very different to the sanctum of a cricket pavilion can have is a top-order batsman, as may well be the ‘bed of roses’ that is often portrayed in the a substantial effect on performance. case in the coming Ashes series, it is media and by ex-players, and that playing Therefore, coaches, players and sport common for opposition bowlers to target at the highest level becomes too much for psychologists may consider developing them early on in a series in an attempt to some. an open and honest team environment reduce their personal batting confidence For example, Marcus Trescothick where players are encouraged to share but also the confidence of the team. Little and Michael Yardy both suffered severe personal stories about success, confidence wonder, then, that anecdotal reports in depression, forcing Trescothick to retire and values in order to foster positive the media indicate that taking on the from international cricket and Yardy to emotional responses and enhance captain role can have both positive and return home from the 2011 Cricket resilience (Barker et al., 2014; Turner & negative effects on maintaining personal World Cup in India. More recently, Barker, 2013b). performance standards – some thrive Jonathan Trott infamously returned from under the pressure, whilst others suffer, the 2013/14 Ashes series in Australia, due partly to increasing associated roles allegedly suffering from a ‘stress-related Leadership – the cricket captain and responsibility (Cotterill & Barker, illness’ he later described as burnout. A captain must make every decision 2013). Alarmingly, cricket has also been posited before he knows what its effect will as a sport with one of the highest suicide be, and he must carry the full rates (Frith, 2011). responsibility, not whether his Success may come at a price Why should this be the case? Possible decision will be right or wrong, but I considered hurting myself just to reasons include the long periods of time whether it brings success. show people how much pain I was spent away from home, with some players Don Bradman, in. If you’ve got a broken leg you've spending as much as half the year away former Australian cricketer got a cast on your leg, people can see on tour, and a lot of regular idle time you’ve got a problem but when you’ve spent in between games. Further, the The role of the captain in cricket is got mental problems there is nothing numerous extraneous variables (e.g. one that carries many challenges in evident to people to show you need weather, pitch conditions, umpiring comparison to other sports. Captains are help. decisions) can render players powerless involved in selection, making decisions Marcus Trescothick in determining their own success (Muller, on the order of former England cricketer 2013; see also the column from former play (e.g. professional cricketer turned sport whether to bat Along with the typical performance- psychologist Alastair Storrie in this first following related psychological factors that are publication: tinyurl.com/kbpoego). the toss, the likely to be prevalent during the Ashes, batting order), more recently a series of high-profile and determining individuals within cricket have reported Summary the strategy and mental health issues, including The game of cricket – and in particular tactics of the depression and burnout. the Ashes – offers many mental team including Athletic burnout has been reported challenges for players. Sport psychology field settings in the sport psychology literature to be is therefore recognised as an integral part and bowling related to athlete maladaptive of a players’ development to optimise changes. To perfectionistic beliefs and coach-created performance along with establishing achieve all of ego-orientated performance climates (e.g. positive mental health. The 2015 Ashes these Hill et al., 2008). Being an international series will undoubtedly provide many requirements cricketer may initially seem like a dream on-field psychological head-to-head the captain job for most – travelling the world and confrontations and turning points. needs to be an playing a sport one loves – but for some As sport psychologists we look forward Don Bradman effective leader, able it can become the stuff of nightmares. to watching, and we hope we have to manage all the Many players describe the challenges convinced some of you that there is more different characters and personalities that of life as internationals to include: the to this game than meets the eye. make up their team, and handle the constant feelings of guilt from balancing media to boot. The captain also needs to forging a professional career with family be able to inspire the team to follow commitments; the stress of being away Jamie Barker is lead sport them, and in many cases look to lead from home for prolonged periods of time; psychologist with from the front (Brearley, 2001; Cotterill & the burden of fulfilling media and Nottinghamshire County Barker, 2013). Individuals that emerge as sponsor obligations; and the increasing Cricket Club and an effective leaders may be those that create pressures to maintain performance Associate Professor at a strong team identity (see Slater et al., standards. Indeed, a number of years ago Staffordshire University 2014). In other words, the success of both Stuart Broad (a current England player) [email protected] captains in the forthcoming Ashes series recalled in the media how he wouldn’t be may be influenced by the creation of a seeing his home again for close to six Matt Slater is lead sport distinct, unique and connected cricket months due to his training and playing psychologist with team with players who rather than commitments for England that particular Leicestershire County thinking ‘I’ and ‘me’, think ‘we’ and ‘us’. winter and that living out of a suitcase Cricket Club and a Lecturer While taking care of the many team wasn’t all it was cracked up to be! We at Staffordshire University issues, the captain must also look to also know that from recent anecdotal [email protected] maintain their own preparation and accounts that the life of an international

556 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Two new assessments coming this Autumn For psychologists who work with paediatrics and adults.

Solve behaviour issues today. Insights into the mind For better lives tomorrow. The forthcoming Millon® The BASC-3 (Behavior Assessment System for Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI®-IV) elevates Dr. Children, Third Edition) is the gold standard for 5IFPEPSF.JMMPOTSFWFSFETDJFOUJmDXPSLBOEIFMQT identifying and managing behaviour and emotional to facilitate a strong clinical alliance between you and strengths and weaknesses. Innovative updates your patients. Enhancements include: include: » Revolutionary, computer-based Flex Monitor » Updated norms, based on adult clinical inpatient enables you to develop custom forms and outpatient samples » New multi-rater report lets you compare results » DSM-5® and ICD-10-CM alignment across the BASC-3 tools » New and improved narrative content » Choice of administration and scoring delivery » Updated test items system: online or paper and pencil » New Turbulent scale. » Obtain multiple perspectives, implement interventions and track outcomes. Search for BASC-3 and MCMI-IV at pearsonclinical.co.uk or call 0845 630 8888

Faculty for Children, Young People & their Families

Conﬁrmed Keynotes Speakers CYPF Conference 2015 Dr Jacqueline Cornish, University Hospitals Bristol 6–7 October Crowne Plaza, Birmingham NEC NHS Foundation Trust Professor Tanya Byron, Clinical Psychologist INVESTING IN FUTURES Dr Sandra Bloom, The Sanctuary Institute and in children and young people School of Public Health, Drexel University in evidence and outcomes Registration open! in services and psychologists Early bird fees apply until 30 July 2015 Follow us on twitter: #cypconf @BPSConference

For further details visit www.bps.org.uk/cyp2015

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 557 READY TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER?

Gain the qualiﬁcations you need through online learning Our online psychology and healthcare courses offer you a flexible and affordable way to gain the qualifications required to take the next step in your career. Courses starting in September, February and May include:

Health Psychology MSc (BPS accredited) Clinical Supervision PG Cert

Psychology Conversion MSc/PG Dip (BPS accredited) Cognitive Behavioural Studies and Skills Integrative Health and Social Care MSc/PG Dip University Advanced Diploma Call today on 01332 594000 or visit our website for further information.

Whether you’re starting out, moving up or starting again WE’RE READY WHEN YOU ARE www.derby.ac.uk/bps

Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy*

There is a plethora of research suggesting that combining cognitive-behavioural therapy with hypnosis is therapeutic for a variety of psychological, behavioural, and medical disorders (Gracie & Hardy, Int Journal of Clinical & Exp Hypnosis, 2007)

Diploma training in three parts: An excellent, well-informed and This diploma course gives you the Certifi cate in Evidence-Based broad basis for opportunity to learn the theory and Hypnotherapy (Stage 1) practising cognitive- clinical skills to integrate hypnotherapy 12th - 18th September 2015, London into an existing practice or start a 28th Nov - 4th December 2015, London behavioural practice focused on cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy in a hypnotherapy (CBH) Certifi cate in Cognitive Behavioural professional and Hypnotherapy (Stage 2) 3rd - 9th October 2015, London effective manner. Fully accredited, externally verifi ed diploma I highly recommend it. Fast track training three 7-day stages Advanced Certifi cate in Cognitive Modern evidence-based approach Behavioural Hypnotherapy (Stage 3) An integration of CBT, Mindfulness & 31st October - 6th November 2015 Professor Karen Carr PhD, Professor of Psychology at Hypnosis Cranfi eld University. Next diploma starts: September 2015, November 2015 or February 2016 0207 112 9040 * BPS Learning Centre approved Discount for BPS Members www.ukhypnosis.com

558 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Annual Conference 2016 East Midlands Conference Centre 26–28 April This year the conference themes are: Faces Ageing Impact Wellbeing

The 2016 conference website is now live. More details about the conference themes and keynote speakers will be available shortly.

Submissions open on 1 August.

www.bps.org.uk/ac2016

‘big picture’ pull-out www.thepsychologist.org.uk i BIG PICTURE

A lonely disorder

Image by Brad Fox with comments from Rob Willson

Brad Fox contacted The Psychologist with this photo he had taken. ‘This image, for me, is a representation of the loneliness that my cousin feels – an effect of my Aunt’s obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. I feel that their relationship has been deeply affected by this… even though they live together they are becoming a lot more lonely. They are in the middle of decorating her bedroom, which has taken a very long time to do, I would say at least 8–10 months. Her loneliness is characterised by a small chair that sits in the corner of her room.’ We contacted Rob Willson, co-author of Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He spoke with Brad about his situation, and then commented: ‘This image is a stark representation of the impact that OCD can have on people’s lives. Despite the immense sense of responsibility for preventing harm felt by those with OCD, it is not unusual to see aspects of the home neglected. This can happen as the individual’s life becomes consumed with “safety strategies” such as avoidance and compulsions – washing, ordering, or checking. Trying too hard to be “sure” that harm has been prevented or to make things “feel right” becomes a vicious cycle and maintains the disorder.’ Rob said the psychological treatment of choice is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), typically with a strong emphasis on deliberate exposure and response prevention. ‘It can be beneficial to help people with OCD to help the person re-appraise their inflated sense of responsibility and to normalise their intrusive thoughts, images, doubts or impulses.’ I Consent was obtained from all parties in this account. For further resources, see www.ocdaction.org.uk and www.ocduk.org www.thepsychologist.org.uk Research. Digested. Free.

www.bps.org.uk/digest

‘Easy to access and free, and a mine of useful information for my work: what more could I want? I only wish I’d found this years ago!’ Dr Jennifer Wild, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Senior Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry ‘The selection of papers suits my eclectic mind perfectly, and the quality and clarity of the synopses is uniformly excellent.’ Professor Guy Claxton, University of Bristol

iv vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology Conference 14-15 December 2015, The Queens Hotel, Leeds Conﬁrmed Keynote Speakers Keith Davids Shefﬁeld Hallam University James Bell Cleveland Browns Jim McKenna Leeds Beckett University Poster & Five-minute challenge submission deadline 16 September 2015 Early bird rates Available up to 21 October 2015

www.bps.org.uk/dsep2015 @BPS_DSEP #dsepconf

MASTER PRACTITIONER EATING DISORDERS & OBESITY A comprehensive, experiential 3 course programme whose modules may be taken individually. We offer a substantial discount when all 3 courses are booked together. The modules of this programme are:

Excellence in Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders An 8 day diploma course teaching integrative theory & effective practical skills for the treatment of binge eating, bulimia & anorexia.

Autumn 2015: 22-25 October & 5-8 November, London

Essential Obesity: Psychological Approaches 3 days drawing from counselling, clinical and health psychology approaches to change the lives of overweight adults.

Summer 2016: 2-4 June 2016, London Nutritional Interventions for Eating Disorders 3 days teaching practical and effective treatment of nutrition-related aspects of eating disorders. 26-28 November 2015 London

View a prospectus for each course online at: www.eating-disorders.org.uk (select Training) Or call 0845 838 2040 for further info.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 559 ARTICLE The monster mind

Enlisting the help of Godzilla and a few of its friends, Jonathan Myers considers why we see monsters and what form they take

The monster rises… it’s there, ove them or hate them, monsters right there in front of you! Or is it? keep coming back to frighten us. A range of cognitive and LWe tell each other stories, share perceptual factors are hard at them online, watch scary movies and TV work, causing you to see monsters, programmes. Monsters loom large in our ghosts and ghouls where none truly consciousness; and literally too when you exist. And the familiar can become consider the recent Godzilla movie. At weird too, with even natural 150 metres this latest incarnation of the creatures observed taking on odd prehistoric sea monster was shapes, gigantic proportions, or approximately 40 per cent the height of with their features altered, just New York’s Empire State Building. The scaring the wits out of you! creature started out much smaller, at Something imagined or real around 50 metres in 1954 (see may kick-start your perception of tinyurl.com/pr368qb). That’s a threefold monsters. Yet, surprisingly, it’s all increase in 60 years. For evolution to the result of a normal process accomplish the same thing would take essential to the operation of your millennia. brain, how it handles the For a psychologist it’s fascinating to stimulation it needs, while also consider explanations for the popularity providing the capacity to keep you and increasing scale of such beasts. safe and away from danger. Largely these centre on an existential Big, scary, and often even extremely ugly, event that might well affect all of us in it’s possible we may use the monster in all some terrible way. We’re potentially under its forms as a means to crystallise our What’s the benefit to us if our brains are threat these days – or so we’re told – to a fears. But there’s more to it. Research wired to see monsters? far greater extent than ever before, during the last few years, and particularly Why does the monster – in a variety of whether it’s from global warming, solar from the fields of perception and

questions questions forms – remain a part of human flares, nuclear devastation caused by a anomalistic and developmental culture? rogue regime, or any other large-scale psychology, suggests that we actually catastrophe. Could it be that the bigger seem to be wired to see monsters. the threat, the bigger the monsters we ffytche, D.H. (2007). Visual hallucinatory create? syndromes: Past, present, and future. There’s clearly historical precedent Monsters on the brain Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, that some form of cognitive One of the most bizarre demonstrations 9(2), 173–189. externalisation of this type is the case – of our brain’s disposition to see fiendish resources Harris, P.L., Brown, E., Marriott, C. et al. from the monstrous Grendel of the creatures was discovered by researchers at (1991), Monsters, ghosts and witches: ancient Beowulf epic to the terrifying the University of Queensland. They found Testing the limits of the fantasy – creatures depicted in our modern-day that pairs of faces flashed at around four reality distinction in young children. British Journal of Developmental fantasies (Asma, 2009), or the enormous to five a second caused the observer to Psychology, 9, 105–123. shape-changing metallic aliens of the see the faces morph into grotesque successful Transformers movie franchise. images. If a person has a large forehead it

Asma, S.T. (2009). On monsters: An Experimental Child Psychology, 71, Craddick, R.A. (1963). Size of Halloween Harding, J.R. (1996). The case of the unnatural history of our worst fears. 81–129. witch drawings prior to, on, and after haunted scrotum. Journal of the Royal New York: Oxford University Press. Caputo, G.B. (2010). Strange-face-in-the- Halloween. Perceptual and Motor Society of Medicine, 89(10), 600. Bourchier, A. & Davis, A. (2002). mirror illusion. Perception, 39(7), Skills, 16, 235–238. Kemp, S. & Young, A.W. (2003). A case of

references Children’s understanding of the 1007–1008. Geiger, J. (2009). The Third Man factor: paraprosopia and its treatment. pretence–reality distinction: A review Cavanagh, P. (1991). What’s up in top Surviving the impossible. Edinburgh: Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 8(1), 43–56. of current theory and evidence. down processing. In A. Gorea (Ed.) Canongate. Kounios, J. & Beeman, M. (2009). The Developmental Science 5(4), 397–426. Representations of vision: Trends and Hafed, Z.M. & Clark, J.J. (2002). Aha! moment. Current Directions in Brainerd, C.J. & Rayna, V.F. (1998). tacit assumptions in vision research. Microsaccades as an overt measure Psychological Science, 18(4), 210–216. Fuzzy-trace theory and children’s Cambridge: Cambridge University of covert attention shifts. Vision LoBue, V. & DeLoache, J.S. (2008). false memories. Journal of Press. Research, 42, 2533–2545. Detecting the snake in the grass:

560 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 monsters T

OHO perceptions, making you believe – like found. If you were a right testis, would

/T the ghoul from The Legend of Sleepy you want to share the scrotum with HE that? (Harding, 1996) K Hollow – heads have gone missing from OBAL torsos (see it for yourself at C

OLLECTION tinyurl.com/mf48bq). Yet it is faces that What the patient made of it all isn’t have a particular resonance for our brains. reported but clearly Dr Harding saw So much so, in fact, that we are prone to the humour in this very strange scan. see faces when no such face is actually Another primary aspect of visual there. This tendency, known as pareidolia, processing is, of course, size perception. encompasses any false perception of an But this too can suffer from inaccuracy. image due to having a heightened Imagine you’re in a boat. You might think sensitivity to perceiving patterns in a creature you see is further away than it otherwise random sensory information. actually is. Research bears out this strange It is core to our make-up and believed inability of people to judge where a necessary for our survival (see Sagan, creature actually is, even when looking 1965), and for this reason it is designed straight at it. Contrary to expectation, the to activate on very little data. reported distance in the majority of But though the human brain may sightings of apparently unknown, large, use a simple face-patterning method as marine animals or ‘sea monsters’, by a warning device – the amygdala witnesses in a boat or in the water, were responding more readily to faces with at a close range of less than 200 metres emotionally charged characteristics (Paxton, 2009). (Morris et al., 2001) – there’s also a lot of Because an animal is in reality closer, more complex interaction in the cognitive there should be more chance of processing of the incoming information identifying its features correctly. But this (Palermo & Rhodes, 2006). Furthermore, isn’t necessarily the case. Size perception if the image you see suggests a face yet is of spiders by arachnophobics, for not quite right, distorted, it jars your example, shows that fear plays an sense of what a face should be, tripping a important role, where the greater the fear whole range of associations from memory. the bigger the spider (Vasey et al., 2012)! Aliens, skulls, evil-looking An early study puts ghouls, all have been a rather nice spin becomes even larger, a small chin gets observed by people on a “Could it be that the bigger on this, smaller, noses that are slightly bent variety of surfaces and the threat, the bigger the demonstrating that become even more bent and crooked, the substances, including the children’s drawings faces all becoming caricatures of gigantic face on Mars monsters we create?” of witches were themselves. It is known as the flashed (tinyurl.com/kaxbxdg), a larger after Halloween face effect (Tangen et al., 2011), and it’s demon behind the sofa compared to before quite astounding when you see it. The (tinyurl.com/7yxxtng), even a haunted (Craddick, 1963). Granted, this may have latest offering of this illusion on the web scrotum (tinyurl.com/nq3vl2k): more to do with excitement than fear. (tinyurl.com/ohpx9al) has celebrities A 45-year-old man was referred for Alternatively, there may be some other turning into extremely ugly monsters investigation for an undescended factor that blocks the person’s ability to before your very eyes! right testis by computer tomography analyse size and what they’re seeing as Our visual system, it appears, tries to … the right testis was not identified familiar from facts held in memory. This encode one face relative to the other. But but the left side of the scrotum might be due to, say, standing on a hill trying to do two at the same time creates seemed to be occupied by a (Stefanucci et al., 2005), whether they’re interference when the brain comes to sort screaming ghost-like apparition. able to determine the contour or edge of out the incoming sensory data into a By chance the distribution of normal what they’re observing (Cavanagh, 1991), coherent picture, and in this way anatomical structures within the left or their brain’s ‘Gestalt’ tendency to fill in exaggerating the features. side of the scrotum had combined to gaps, to make a perception whole. Characteristics of the eye like the produce this image. What of the Perceptual issues like these could explain scotoma or ‘blindspot’ only add to strange undescended right testis? None was many sightings of the Loch Ness monster,

Attention to fear-relevant stimuli by extrageniculostriate and amygdala Psychological Review, 108, 483–522. Piaget, J. (1970). Main trends in adults and young children. responses to presentation of Palermo, R. & Rhodes, G. (2006). Are you psychology. London: George Allen & Psychological Science, 19, 3, 284–289. emotional faces in a cortically blind always on my mind? A review of how Unwin. Masataka, N., Hayakawa, S. & Kawai, N. field. Brain, 124(6), 1241–1252. face perception and attention Pritchard, R.M. (1961). Stabilized images (2010). Human young children as Ohman, A., Flykt, A. & Esteves, F. (2001). interact. Neuropsychologia 45, 75–92. on the retina. Scientific American, 204, well as adults demonstrate ‘superior’ Emotion drives attention: Detecting Paxton, C.G.M. (2009). The plural of 72–78. rapid detection when typical striking the snake in the grass. Journal of ‘anecdote’ can be ‘data’: Statistical Sagan, C. (1965). The demon-haunted posture is displayed by the snake. Experimental Psychology: General, analysis of viewing distances in world – Science as a candle in the PloS ONE, 5, e15122. 130(3), 466–478. reports of unidentified large marine dark. New York: Random House. Morris, J.S., DeGelder, B., Weiskrantz, L. Ohman, A. & Mineka, S. (2001). Fears, animals 1758–2000. Journal of Sharon, T. & Woolley, J.D. (2004). Do & Dolan, R.J. (2001). Differential phobias, and preparedness. Zoology, 279, 381–387. monsters dream? Young children’s

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 561 monsters

where really all that’s being seen may be Perception though consists of both making new associations and novel formations of logs or swimming otters. external sensory input, bottom-up, and linkages, so promoting the chances of Size perception, however, is not only also internal cognition and memory innovative thought to deal with new about perceptual and cognitive error, or acting on it, top-down. And just as vision problems. indeed fear. Godzilla may look very much largely shuts off during saccadic Your brain is designed to be inward- like a giant dinosaur – as intended by its movements so you’re not aware of the looking in this way. Seeing the occasional creator Ishiro Honda (Smith, 2002) – but blur (see the stopped clock illusion: monster is perhaps the price you pay for it has another important characteristic. As tinyurl.com/82pbn4o), the visual cortex your ability to have insight and be a huge beast tossing immense skyscrapers enhances its top-down tendency by creative. of steel and concrete aside as if they were disengaging during insightful thought. made of cardboard, Godzilla creates awe Gamma wave production – reflecting in the viewer. In an experiment to study increased attention to problem solving – Help, the monster’s got me! awe, subjects were asked to stare at a is immediately preceded by the firing of And it is quite a price. This top-down, seven-metre-high Tyrannosaurus rex alpha waves, suggestive of a waking inward-looking tendency of the brain dinosaur skeleton for one minute. A restful state (Kounios & Beeman, 2009). results in stimulation being generated second group were asked to stare at an This ‘brain blink’ is necessary so that the internally from its imaginative content, empty hall. Those who stared at the brain is able to draw as much as it can and evoked through several powerful dinosaur were more likely than the other from around its extensive neural though very strange perceptual means. group to see themselves as connected to networks without being distracted, Sleep paralysis (see something beyond their tinyurl.com/luxy8gq) is an immediate concerns, to experience causing some of N something bigger than THE OF IGHT the most startling monster themselves (Shiota et al., hallucinations. And many of 2007). And when people feel them – including devils, L

part of a greater whole that EPUS succubae, witches, vaporous

changes how they interact with /MGM/T dark intruders and little green the world and the people men – have found expression

around them, as well as HE in folklore as well as modern K

altering the values they hold. OBAL fantasies. It occurs essentially Studies like this begin to because part of you wakes up C

shed light on why our minds OLLECTION and part doesn’t. You continue are geared to see monsters in to be in a state of REM-induced the way they do. And why, for sleep paralysis, and an element example, these great creatures of your dream state remains are such a recurring theme of present as you regain children’s toys, as well as why consciousness. Research bears a similar kind of overwhelming this out, with alpha waves feeling of awe is promoted suggesting a wakefulness state when we look at the Grand combined with the experience Canyon or down on our Earth of the normal paralysis that from space, as astronauts sleep brings to the body report experiencing (Suedfeld (Takeuchi et al., 1992). And et al., 2010) Something in those reporting visual changes in our perspective; hallucinations, their alpha it’s meant to. The brain wants waves during sleep paralysis sensory stimulation, new were interrupted by beta waves, thoughts to exercise it – even suggesting that something had from TV and movies – but caught their attention. In this with an inherent richness of inward-looking state, the brain overwhelmingly strong is likely to be creating some content, this is like having a The human brain is wired to see features – for example, long powerfully scary images as its banquet as opposed to a meal. teeth or fangs, claws and squirminess focus.

understanding of the fantasy/reality induced by isolation and life- and Psychophysics, 67(6), 1052–1060. M.B. (2011). Flashed face distortion distinction. British Journal of threatening stress. Journal of Suedfeld, P.K., Legkaia, K. & Brcic, J. effect: Grotesque faces from relative Developmental Psychology, 22, Nervous Mental Disorders. 172(5). (2010). Changes in the value spaces. Perception, 40, 628–630. 293–310. 264–272. hierarchy of value references Vasey, M.W., Vilensky, R., Heath, J.H. et Shiota, M.N., Keltner. D. & Mossman, A. Smith, B.R. (2002). Green scales and hot associated with flying in space. al. (2012). It was as big as my head, I (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, breath: Godzilla! Again! Journal of Journal of Personality, 78, 1411–1446. swear! Biased spider size estimation appraisals and effects on self Evolutionary Psychology, 22(1/2), Takeuchi, T., Miyasita, A., Sasaki, Y. et al. in spider phobia. Journal of Anxiety concept. Cognition and Emotion, 21, 11–18. (1992). Isolated sleep paralysis Disorders, 26, 20–24. 944–963. Stefanucci, J.K., Proffitt, D.R., Banton, T. elicited by sleep interruption. Sleep, Siegel, R.K. (1984). Hostage & Epstein, W. (2005). Distances 15, 217–225. hallucinations: Visual imagery appear different on hills. Perception Tangen, J.M., Murphy, S.C. & Thompson,

562 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 monsters

Staring too can be associated with enduring horror fantasies. Sufferers are (LoBue & DeLoache, 2008). Similar some very odd effects. The Bloody Mary not delusional, yet may describe snakes experiments additionally show that illusion is quite well-known amongst coming up from the ground or floating, identification times are faster when teenagers, who often dare one another to disembodied heads that wriggle into their snakes are depicted ready to attack as go through the ritual in a darkened room field of vision at random times. These opposed to being depicted at rest that makes her appear from a mirror often have wide, unblinking eyes, (Masataka et al., 2010) and that the (spin around while saying her name three prominent teeth, and features like those fear response for snakes and spiders times, then stare at the mirror). Yet it’s of a hideous stone gargoyle (see compared to, say, mushrooms, extends your brain that’s the cause, and you’re not tinyurl.com/kjcuafw). into adulthood (Ohman et al., 2001). seeing malevolent spirits. In an When the neurological wiring goes What this points to is a neurocognitive experiment to test this, participants were wrong, one rare condition, often template, but rather than a range of asked to do nothing more than look associated with animals loaded into that closely in a mirror for 10 minutes in a schizophrenia, stands template the suggestion is dimly lit room and describe what they out. In paraprosopia “Our imaginative that the human brain is saw (Caputo, 2010). None of the subjects the person sees facial prowess begins its wired to see features – for were given any hint or information about transformations (see expansion in childhood” example, long teeth or what they might experience. Two thirds Kemp & Young, 2003). fangs, claws and of the participants reported seeing huge And like Bruce Banner squirminess. It is in fact the deformations of their own face. Nearly turning into the Hulk, case that people can be taught to half described seeing ‘fantastical’ or Dr Jekyll becoming Mr Hyde and associate an electric shock and the fear it ‘monstrous’ beings! A few reported seeing not a few actors changing into promotes equally with pictures of snakes faces of parents, ancestors, and strangers, werewolves, the paraprosopic sees and spiders or pictures of flowers and including women and children. Every one a complex bit-by-bit transformation mushrooms – but the effect lasts much of them saw someone or something in the of a face they’re looking at. longer with the snakes and spiders mirror other than themselves! Many of (Masataka et al., 2010; Ohman & Mineka, them also reported feeling that the other 2001). In evolutionary terms we therefore someone was watching them, with several Monsters in the cupboard have the ability built-in to identify a becoming extremely scared as they It is the normal childhood brain that whole range of dangers in our believed the face in the mirror was angry underpins much of the process of surroundings, and apply them to novel at them too. monster perception. Our imaginative situations too. But just as these features Without some level of eye movement prowess begins its expansion in are characteristic of snakes and other wild you stop perceiving external images. Even childhood, of course, but the brain is beasts, they are also characteristic of tiny movements of the eyes have benefits developing in other cognitive ways too, monsters. in this context, helping to provide giving rise to a number of nightmarish You may be bleary-eyed from ongoing stimulation to the brain’s visual effects that children experience (while pacifying your child in the middle of the centre and stopping you going blind often giving parents sleepless nights as night and checking under the bed and in (Pritchard, 1961; Hafed & Clark. 2002). well). cupboards for the umpteenth time for Micro-movements, microsaccades, are Several developmental theories hiding trolls and goblins, but between occurring all the time, producing a kind bear this out, including the change from evolving cognitive processes and of baseline stimulation for your eyes. concrete to abstract thinking (Piaget, templates there’s clearly a lot interacting Intense staring overrides this; when your 1970), fantasy versus reality appreciation in children’s brains. Any night terrors are eyes can’t provide the stimulation, your (Sharon & Woolley, 2004), verbatim likely to be a way for the immature mind brain tries to compensate and makes versus gist understanding underlying how to come to terms with, and integrate, this some up. memories are recalled or creating ‘pseudo- external and internal experience. Lack of external stimulation is a key memories’ (Brainerd & Rayna, 1998), and extraneous factor that helps create the reality–pretence distinctions (Bourchier & hallucinatory monster. For example, the Davis, 2002). Yet what is apparent from Conclusion sensed presence is a dissociative effect the research is that the cognitive Those memories created as a child stay that can occur when people are isolated – processes involved are not clear-cut, nor with us into later life, informing our such as walking through the Arctic alone does it appear to be a simple matter of perceptions about scary creatures. And or in hostage situations. Often it is giving children the time to develop new wired in the way you are there’s a great innocuous – the presence of another abilities. Indeed, young children appear deal of psychology involved in the person, though not real, providing a to have many capabilities and understand perception of monsters – something often supporting role in their survival (Geiger, a considerable amount about what’s real forgotten when hunters or TV shows go 2009) – but at other times, much like and what isn’t. Rather than being about searching for Bigfoot and Nessie. So spare the intruder of sleep paralysis, horrific acquiring new abilities, many of the a thought for your brain next time you presences can be seen (Siegel, 1984). cognitive structures that develop to see a monster! In many of these instances, however, support monster perception, it seems, there is violence occurring, which is are already in place. a possible contributory factor in what And it’s not just these structures. Jonathan Myers creatures are observed. When three-year olds are shown a series is a psychologist A similar effect is caused when of pictures, all of caterpillars except one specialising in behavioural external stimulation ceases through vision which is of a snake, the time they take finance loss due to illness. In an extreme form of to identify the snake is faster than if the [email protected] Charles Bonnet syndrome monsters are pictures are largely of snakes and they are seen that are reminiscent of our most asked to identify the single caterpillar

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 563 related the case of Sai Ram, a 15-year-old boy burned alive because of a stray goat, ‘just one of 17,000 Dalits to fall victim to

ARTICLE caste violence in the state of Bihar’ Reaching out to the (tinyurl.com/kkzgg7p). And interview data from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (Metcalf ‘Untouchables’ & Rolfe, 2010) has shown that caste awareness and differentiation transfers Paul Ghuman gives a psychological perspective on Dalit resistance and identity from the Indian subcontinent to the UK: My brother used to get sworn at because of his caste when he was at The Untouchables in India are still I was born in a family where my work – with comments like ‘You are at the bottom of the caste hierarchy parents experienced humiliation since not even equal to our shoes’. in terms of poverty index, childhood and denial of access to full unemployment, housing and health participation in everyday social life. And a Dalit woman told a newspaper matters. The caste system has (Dalit psychiatrist who works in (tinyurl.com/nvdyaez) that she couldn’t reproduced itself in the Indian London, quoted in Jadhav, 2012) escape the sting of India’s caste system, diaspora (indeed in people of South even in Canada: Asian origin) in the UK and Suppose you heard it said over Racism is something I can elsewhere in the West through and over again that you were lazy, understand, because ‘we’ look endogamy, early socialisation, a simple child of nature expected different and have different culture, social networking and, to steal and had inferior blood. but by God, my colour is the same, paradoxically, places of worship. Suppose… this opinion were forced my language is the same, my living There is evidence that the on you by the majority of your fellow standard is the same. But they are Untouchables are facing a double citizens… because you happen to have still discriminatory to me. discrimination – high-caste black skin. (Allport, 1954, p.14) prejudice and white racism. They A comprehensive study by Dhanda et al. are, however, raising their caste he term ‘Dalit’ – meaning ‘the (2012) confirms that the caste system status through education, socio- oppressed one’ in the Marathi has reproduced itself through endogamy economic advancement and Tlanguage – was introduced in the (intra-caste marriages), separate places ‘religiosity’. This is in line with the 1970s by activists highlighting the plight of worship (e.g. Gurdwaras and temples), predictions of modern theories of of those deemed too polluted to be early socialisation of children within identity formation and its included within the Hindu caste (Varna) biraderi (kinsfolk), and caste-based functioning in the social world. system. The first quote is from an community centres. But they also note interview given by a Dalit (formerly that Hindu organisations, such as the called Untouchable) psychiatrist who Hindu Council UK, refuse to accept its Can we equate and compare casteism works in London. Nowadays, this term is prevalence, whereas Dalit associations and racism in the ways in which they used not merely to express identity but (Amedkarite and Ravidassia) consider affect individuals? also to convey the aspiration and struggle caste as hereditary, hierarchical and

questions questions Are the effects of casteism on society of these ‘Untouchables’ for change and originating and justified in Hindu and individuals similar to class revolution (see Guru, 2001). The caste scriptures and traditions, and that it is distinctions in the UK? system remains at play in the UK – the now being transmitted in the UK and psychiatrist quoted above went on to say elsewhere in the West. It follows that that his high-caste colleagues struggle to within the Indian diaspora there is a huge acknowledge ‘casteism’ or to link it to the gap even in acknowledging the social Deliege, R. (1999). The Untouchables of India. Oxford: Berg. racism that can affect the mental health of reality of the caste system in the UK. Ghuman, P.A.S. (2011). British all Indians and people of colour in the This article deals with a number of Untouchables. Farnham: Ashgate. UK (Karlson et al., 2005). themes. First, it compares casteism with resources Dalit Solidarity Network: http://dsnuk.org Yet atrocities against Dalits are racism, on which a great deal of literature CasteWatchUK: www.castewatchuk.org reported almost daily by creditable is to be found. Second, we discuss the newspapers. Last year The Guardian possible psychological harm it can have

Aboud, F.E. (2005). The development of Barrett, M. & Davis, S.C. (2008). Applying Deliege, R. (1999). The Untouchables of minorities. Clevedon: Multilingual prejudice in childhood and social identity and self-categorization India. Oxford: Berg. Matters. adolescence. In J.F. Dovidio, P. Glick theories to children’s racial, ethnic, Dhanda, M. Waughray, A., Keane, D. et al. Dosanjh, J.S. & Ghuman, P.A.S. (1997). & L.A. Rudman (Eds.) On the nature national and state identifications and (2012). Caste in Britain: Socio-legal Punjabi childrearing in Britain:

references of prejudice: Fifty years after Allport attitudes. In M.S. Quintana & C. review. London: Equality and Human development of identity, religion and (pp.310–326). Oxford: Blackwell. Mckown (Eds.) Handbook of race, Rights Commission. bilingualism. Childhood: A Global Allport, G. (1954). The nature of prejudice. racism and the developing child Doniger, W. (2009). The Hindus: An Journal of Child Research, 4(3), Cambridge, MA: Addison-Wesley. (pp.72–110). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. alternative history. Oxford: Oxford 285–304, Anwar, M. (1979). The myth of return: Davey, A. (1983). Learning to be prejudiced: University Press. Dovidio, F.J., Glick, P. & Rudman, A.L. Pakistanis in Britain. London; Growing up in multi-ethnic Britain. Dosanjh, J.S. & Ghuman, P.A.S. (1996). (2005). On the nature of prejudice: Fifty Heinemann. London: Edward Arnold. Child-rearing practices of ethnic years after Allport. Oxford: Blackwell.

564 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 the ‘untouchables’

on its victims. Third, we explore what to second century BCE: see Dumont, hierarchy; and ‘Dharma’ (swadharama) is strategies are adopted by Untouchable 2004; Olivelle, 2004) systematised and a complex concept that essentially means communities to challenge (and cope legitimised the existing divisions of religious duty and social obligation – with) caste prejudice. Fourth, we discuss society into four hierarchical Varnas, with basically, individuals should stick to their caste awareness among children and Brahmins at the top of the hierarchy – the parents’ caste. caste-based bullying in schools. Finally, priests who performed religious rituals we examine what type of research is and looked after the spiritual matters. needed in this underexplored field. Before Next in the pecking order came Modern social identities addressing these themes, I offer a brief Kshatriyas – the warriors and rulers of In India the caste system has endured for background to the origin of the caste widespread kingdoms in ancient India over two millennia and still has its hold system in India, and its acceptance and (circa 1200 BCE) were drawn from this on the people’s psyche, though in a much legitimation. caste. Third in the hierarchy came the attenuated form. The vast majority of Vaishyas – the wealth producers such as Dalits in India are still at the bottom of farmers, and business people. The fourth the social hierarchy in terms of income, Background caste consisted of Shudaras – the serving unemployment, poverty index, housing, Although the caste system is found in classes that consisted of barbers, health matters, such as infant mortality, all South Asian countries, here I cite blacksmiths and weavers. Then there and morbidity levels (see Michael, 1999; evidence from ‘Indian heritage’ were a number of communities who were Singh, 2005). And the karmic and communities in the UK and in India. marked as outside the four castes – the Dharma dimensions are being joined – This reflects the research emphasis, and untouchables. They did the degrading replaced, even – by a new form of the fact that it is clear from the literature and menial work of cleaning toilets and casteism, which blames the ‘victims’ (Deliege, 1999; Jodhka, 2004; cowsheds, took care of the dead animals themselves for their own lowly position Mendelsohn & Vicziany, 1998) that the and were seen to be scavengers. They in the caste hierarchy because of their caste system was (and is) being justified were called Chandalas – the achutes – low abilities, lack of zeal and hard work. by Hindu holy texts. whose mere touch, even a shadow, would These negative stereotypes justify high- The caste system was originally based defile/pollute the two upper castes. In caste people’s conscious/subconscious on occupation, like socio-economic class common with black communities in prejudice and discrimination. The new in the UK, but later became rigid and South Africa and the southern states of form of racism, seen in the wider context ossified with there being little social the US, they were forced to live in of racism in Britain and the US, eschews mobility. Hindu lawgiver Manu (circa first ‘apartheid’ outside villages and towns, ‘biological’ arguments in favour of deficit only coming in to serve and the aberrant cultures of ethnic the other castes. This minority groups (which might include J ESS practice continues to the such practices as arranged marriage,

H present day in many female genital mutilation, honour killings, URD

/ Indian villages (Jodhka, and the subjugation and oppression of REPORTDIGITAL 2015). Caste was (and still women). is) deemed to be hereditary What of those Dalits in the UK? After and there was no social emigrating in the 1950s and 1960s from . CO mobility, save in the two India, Pakistan and Bangladesh along . UK upper castes (Srinivas, with large numbers of their fellow 1996, 2002). compatriots (see Anwar, 1979, Ghuman, This system was 1999, Shaw, 2000), most settled in sanctified by two London, the Midlands and the north of important concepts, which England, and in Glasgow, Scotland. They are the linchpin of the are estimated to number between a Hindu religion (Doniger, quarter to half a million, though exact 2009). ‘Karma’ implies figures are not known. According to one’s right and wrong research reports (Metcalf & Rolfe, 2010; deeds in past lives have Jaspal, 2011), many Untouchables in the determined one’s present UK face the same type of stigmatisation The term ‘Dalit’ is used to convey the aspiration and caste position and that one and abuse they experienced in their struggle for change and revolution should accept the social country of origin. In employment, where

Dumont, L. (2004). Homo hierarchicus: Guru, G. (2001). The language of Dalit- and identity processes. Psychology Karlsen, S., Nazroo, J. & McKenzie, K. The caste system and its implications. Bahujan political discourse. In M. and Developing Societies, 23(2), 27–62. (2005). Racism, psychosis and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Mohanty (Ed.) Class, caste and gender Jodhka, S. (2004). Sikhism and the caste common mental disorder among Ghuman, P.A.S. (1999). Asian adolescents (pp.256–267). Sage: New Delhi. question. Contribution to Indian ethnic minority groups in England. in the West. Leicester: BPS Books. Jackson, R. & Nesbitt, E. (1993). Hindu Sociology, 38, 165–192. Psychological Medicine, 35, 1795–1803. Ghuman, P.A.S. (2002). Double loyalties: children in Britain. Stoke-on-Trent: Jodhka, S. (2015). Caste in contemporary Knott, K. (1986). Hinduism in Leeds. South Asian adolescents in the West. Trentham Books. India. Abingdon: Routledge. Leeds: Community Religions Project, Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Jadhav, S. (2012). Caste, culture and Kakar, S. (1981). The inner world: A University of Leeds. Ghuman, P.A.S. (2011). British clinic. S. Jodhka interviews S. psycho-analytic study of childhood and Knott, K. (1994). The Gujarati Mochi in Untouchables: A study of Dalit identity Jadhav. tinyurl.com/kergfzx society in India. Oxford: Oxford Leeds. R. Ballard (Ed.) Desh Pardesh: and education. Burlington: Ashgate. Jaspal, R. (2011). Caste, social stigma University Press. The South Asian presence in Britain.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 565 the ‘untouchables’ UK

high-caste people are often in . CO the majority, Dalits are on the . receiving end of both racial and Caste-based bullying caste discrimination – a double

exclusion. REPORTDIGITAL / Caste bullying in schools can have serious effects on Why do high-caste people the health, exam performance and wellbeing of its carry their prejudice overseas, HILLIPS P victims. In the Metcalf and Rolfe research (2010, when many of them have pp.24–26, case study 4), a 16-year-old said that her

personally experienced the UNCAN D friends had assumed that she was of higher caste, and humiliating experience of racial when they found out that she was not, bullying started discrimination in the UK and when she was 12 and continued for a couple of years. elsewhere? Old habits and I have presented a brief psychological explanation attitudes die hard, but perhaps it for caste and religious-based jokes following Allport’s also makes them feel comfortable (1954) theories, and their more up-to-date to know that they are not at the interpretation and research by Dovidio et al. (2005) bottom of the British social (see Ghuman, 2011). Briefly, one of a dominant group’s hierarchy – their status anxiety is strategies is to make the subjugated feel inferior by reduced by engaging in this type caricatures that are mainly based on negative of prejudiced behaviour (Allport, stereotyping. Thus hardcore Hindus, and indeed some 1954). (As an aside, Gandhi felt others, have openly cracked jokes about Sikhs (calling the full impact of racism in South them surd – a figure to make fun of) to portray them Africa, yet he still justified the as ‘stupid/thick/impulsive’, to show that they are not fit caste system – without for serious professional work and can’t be taken untouchability, I hasten to add. seriously. This led to a bitter row with Dr Ambedkar, the revered leader of the Dalit community, who was born (see Lum, 2010, 2011). For example, a enhancing their caste solidarity. This is a Dalit but renounced and condemned distinguished leader, Mangoo Ram, called known to help victims combat prejudice Hinduism for treating them worse than the higher-caste people Aryan invaders, from an ‘outgroup’ (Dovidio et al., 2005). animals, and embraced Buddhism along and outsiders, thus affirming their own It’s a creative way of trying to enhance with thousands of his fellow Dalits. See position as indigenous people of India, as prestige and status by developing Zelliot, 2001, and Pantham, 2009, for Ad Dharmis. This has led to a resurgence alternative dimensions of comparison further reading.) of pride, and a ‘sense of self-worth’ among with the outgroup. To demonstrate their Another psychological theory may Dalits. There is a renewed cultural, solidarity, Dalits in the UK have help to explain the behaviour of both religious, and political movement of successfully mobilised their communities high-caste members and Dalits. The basic Dalits. But, paradoxically, it is also based to lobby the government to include caste postulate of Tajfel and Turner’s social on their ‘old’ established caste identities. in the Equality Act of 2010, though its identity theory (SIT: Tajfel & Turner, A high-caste Jat may say: ‘We are proud implementation has been delayed. 1979; see also Reicher et al., 2010) is that sons of Jats’, matched by Ad Dharmis: Of course, some Dalit individuals do there is a need for every social group to ‘We are proud to be sons of Chamars’. try to redefine their social identity create and maintain a positively valued Chamars used to hide their caste, but through mobility. Few are now engaged in social identity. I would argue that Dalits now they throw up a challenge to other their hereditary caste-ascribed jobs (e.g. in the UK are striving to achieve this by castes: Deco ke panga loy (Beware before Chamars – one of the major Dalit castes – comparison with outgroups on valued you entangle with us!). Also, they have used to work with leather). They are now dimensions such as material and socio- paid heed to Dr Ambedkar’s advice ‘to as successful as their Indian counterparts economic advancement, religiosity, educate, organise and agitate’. Developing in securing professional positions by equality and social justice. their own legends, myths and sacraments, pursuing higher education (see Ghuman, Take social creativity as an example. salutations and emblems around their 2011, case studies 4 and 6, pp.124–132; Both high-caste groups and Dalits religions has enabled the ‘Untouchables’ Knott, 1986, 1994). have stopped trying to convert to to glorify and cherish their gurus and Finally, there is social competition, other religions, but have resurrected leaders (see Knott, 1986, 1994; Lum, through which members of a low-status and strengthened their own religions 2010, 2011; Narayan, 2006), thus group challenge the position of high-

London: Hurst & Co. of ego identity. In A.H. Bosma, Institute of Economic and Social Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lum, K. (2010). The Ravidassia T.L.G.Graafsma, H.D. Grotevant & Research. Ong, D., Thomas, Fuller-Rowell, E. & community and identity(ies) in D.J. de Levita (Eds.) Identity and Michael, M. (1999). Dalits in modern India. Phinney, J.S. (2010). Measurement of Catalonia, Spain. Sikh Formations, development: An interdisciplinary New Delhi: Vistaar Publications. ethnic identity. Identity: An 6(1), 31–49. approach. London: Sage. Milner, D. (1983). Children and race: Ten International Journal of Theory and Lum, K. (2011). Caste, religion, Mendelsohn, O. & Vicziany, M. (1998). The years on. London: Ward Lock Research, 10, 39–49. community assertion. In A. Knut, A. Untouchables. Cambridge: Educational. Pantham, T. (2009). Against Jacobson & K. Myrvold (Eds.) Sikhs in Cambridge University Press. Narayan, B. (2006). Women heroes and Untouchability. In G. Guru (Ed.) Europe (pp.179–200). Farnham: Metcalf, H. & Rolfe, M. (2010). Caste Dalit assertion in North India. New Humiliation: Claims and context Ashgate. discrimination and harassment in Delhi: Sage. (pp.179–209). New Delhi: Oxford Marcia, E.J. (1994). The empirical study Great Britain. London: National Olivelle, P. (2004). The law code of Manu. University Press.

566 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 the ‘untouchables’

status outgroups in an attempt to reverse present amongst young primary-school as to wider socio-historical and political the status differential. This is exactly what children. And there is evidence from my factors that determine the relative status I found in a case study of a Punjabi research (Ghuman, 1999, 2002) that caste positions of ingroups and outgroups. village where Chamars are collectively identities become salient for students who Such an approach would be rewarding challenging the legitimacy of Jats’ (the attend schools where South Asians are in for future research to pursue. land-owning caste) superiority by not a majority. In such schools, children of working on their land, and by holding high caste tend to ‘self-categorise’ into top positions in the village Panchayat their respective castes, thus pressurising Reaching further (council), which controls the affairs of Dalit children to seek identification with Research on the Untouchables has barely the village. These shifts in ‘power’ in their own caste. However, caste identity begun in the UK, and much of it has been favour of Dalits have had a significant remains latent when these high-caste carried out by anthropologists and effect in fostering reciprocity in social children attend a white-majority school. sociologists studying the impact of caste relations: Dalits are now invited to Jats’ In this situation, ‘Asian’ identity becomes on the structure and functioning of weddings and other family ceremonies active and significant: they fall back to Indian society. We badly need in that village (Ghuman, 2011; also see their ascribed social identity of Asians, psychological perspectives, especially on Ram, 2004). and so they self-categorise accordingly ingroup and outgroup dynamics and the and then seek to conform to the group’s significance of caste in the formation of stereotyped behaviour. This is a cogent personal and social identities. Caste awareness in children explanation from the perspective of SCT. Priority should also be given to the Would we not expect caste prejudice I also noted the importance of the study of the development of caste identity to die out with the older generations social context within which the in children and adolescents and its impact who supported and reinforced it? Self- individual self-categorises when observing on their day-to-day living. Phinney’s (Ong categorisation theory (SCT: Turner et al., the change in Indian girls’ social et al., 2010) research on the development 1987; see also Reicher et al., 2010) identification when they visited India and assessment of ethnic identities would postulates that identity salience varies (Ghuman, 2011). be instructive here, as according to the intergroup comparisons Here where they would models of ethnic that are made available by the prevailing described themselves “we must understand the identity (e.g. Marcia, 1994) social context. So can these contexts truly as British/English, attitudes and behaviours We need to consider not prevail, across generations? despite the fact that of high-caste people” only the cognitive In fact, children learn at an early age in England most of developmental level of (7–8 years) not only that they are black, them described children and young people white, or brown (Asians), but also the themselves as British- but their socio-emotional abilities rank ordering of ethnic/racial group to Indians, British-Asians, and so on. , and the influence of ingroup peers (see which they belong (Aboud, 2005; Davey, In reviewing research that has used Aboud, 2005). Teachers in predominantly 1983; Milner, 1983). Likewise, in India, SIT and SCT to examine social identity ‘Asian’ schools should be prepared for the caste consciousness is instilled in children in children, Barrett and Davies (2008) issues that Dalit children might face in from the day they are born through conclude: schools, and appropriate strategies should religious rituals and later on in childhood Both SIT and SCT appear to have be worked out to deal with them. through special initiation ceremonies (see some relevance for understanding Finally, we must understand the Dosanjh & Ghuman, 1996, 1997). Many children’s racial and ethnic attitudes… attitudes and behaviour of high-caste of the religious-based rituals, ceremonies That said, however, there are also people, particularly the second- and third- and customs have been carried over from findings which both SIT and SCT have generations who were born in the UK. India – especially by high-caste some difficulty in accommodating, It is perhaps only then that we can truly communities – to make their young particularly findings concerning the ‘reach out’ to the Untouchables. children aware of their respective caste effects of teachers, the school status, taboos on eating, the concept of curriculum and peers on children’s ‘purification’ and the importance of identifications and attitudes. Paul Ghuman adhering to one’s caste biraderi (kinship (pp.94–95) is Emeritus Professor at group)(see Kakar, 1981). Aberystwyth University The impact of this was seen in They propose that researchers need to pay [email protected] pioneering research (Jackson & Nesbitt, much closer attention to educational, peer 1993) which found caste awareness to be group, family and media factors, as well

Ram, R. (2004). Untouchability, Dalit Pakistani families in Britain. conflict. In W.G. Austin & S. Worchel consciousness and the Ad Dharm Amsteldijk: Harwood Academic. (Eds.) The social psychology of Movement in Punjab. Contribution to Singh, J.P. (2005). Caste system. In H.S. intergroup relations (pp.33–97). Indian Sociology, 38, 323–348. Verma (Ed.) The OBC and the ruling Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole. Reicher, S., Spears, R. & Haslam, S.A. classes in India. New Delhi: Penguin. Turner, J.C., Hogg M.A., Oakes, P.J. et al. (2010). The social identity approach in Srinivas, M. (1996). Caste. New Delhi: (1987). Rediscovering the social group. social psychology. In M.S. Wetherell & Penguin. (pp.179–200). Oxford: Blackwell. C.T. Mohanty (Eds.) The Sage Srinivas, M. (2002). Collected essays. New Zelliot, E. (2001). From Untouchable to handbook of identities (pp.45–62). Delhi: Oxford University Press. Dalit. New Delhi: Manohar. London: Sage. Tajfel, H. & Turner, J. (1979). An Shaw, A. (2000). Kinship and continuity: integrative theory of intergroup

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 567 Your psychologist Your choice

Are you a Society member looking to read The Psychologist on tablet, smartphone or e-reader? Log in via tinyurl.com/yourpsych to access your options or scan

568 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Postdoctoral Conference Bursary Scheme

This Research Board bursary scheme supports year, with submission deadlines on 1 April and the work of postdoctoral researchers and 1 October. Get your applications in now lecturers. for the October deadline. Conference bursaries are available to support For the full criteria and an application form UK psychology postdoctoral researchers and please contact Carl Bourton at the Society’s lecturers to attend any academic conference, office [email protected] either in the UK or internationally, relevant to Note: For the purposes of the bursary scheme, a the applicants work. Each bursary consists of postdoctoral research/lecturer is defined as a person up to £150 (UK) or £300 (international) to who is employed at a UK HEI and is within three years contribute towards the costs of registration of the completion of their doctoral research degree (i.e. and travel to attend the full conference. PhD) in psychology. Please note that this scheme is for those having completed a research doctoral degree as There are two rounds of the scheme each opposed to a practitioner doctoral degree.

EMDR Training Schedule 2015/2016 Fully accredited EMDR trainings for Psychologists EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and EMDR-Europe Association The only series of books to be approved by the British (EMDR-E) accredited trainings conducted by Alexandra (Sandi) Richman, Psychological Society. Visit our website to find books Chartered Psychologist. Learn how to integrate this evidence-based therapy into your existing clinical skills. for the practitioner, the academic, the instructor and Richman EMDR Training offer small interactive EMDR trainings the student, including: (max 20 participants), incorporating the complete standard EMDR training accredited and approved by EMDRIA/EMDR-Europe plus an Intermediate U BPS Textbooks in Psychology, with supporting workshop between Part I and Part 3 training. After Part I participants Online Resources are able to practice EMDR and Part 2 revises the protocol and offers supervision of case material. Part 3 training teaches EMDR with more complex cases and offers further case consultation. U BPS Student Guides EMDR 2015 Trainings are as follows: (London unless otherwise indicated) What’s more, as a member you will qualify for a discount: Part 1 (3 day training) 29 - 31 July 2015, 16 - 18 September 2015, 21 - 23 October 2015 20% BPS member discount on all titles (Leicester), 2 - 4 December 2015, 27 - 29 January 2016, 9 - 11 March 2016 Part 2 (1 day training) 30% BPS student member discount 3 September 2015, 30 September 2015, 14 October 2015 (Glasgow), 4 November 2015, 10 December 2015 on all titles Part 3 (3 day training) 9 - 11 September 2015, 15 - 17 October 2015 (Glasgow), Go to: www.psychsource.bps.org.uk 18 - 20 November 2015, 3 - 5 February 2016 now to find out more. For more information contact Mary Cullinane, Training Co-ordinator. Tel: 020 7372 3572 Email: [email protected] www.emdr-training.com

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 569 other with 144. After both, candidates are given a report to support their communication, stress management, Helpful categorisation decision making and team dynamics. My parents had both taken the licensed test at work and received feedback from trained or limiting label? counsellors. I engaged in an online test, NEW VOICES a clone of the licensed questionnaires. Caitlin Cherry with the latest in our series for budding writers These vary in size from 10–72 questions (see www.bps.org.uk/newvoices for more information) and offer no interpretation of the result. So there it began; my quest for more information, about me and my ‘result’ as an unequivocal ‘INFP’. I roamed the internet from the ‘portrait page’ to the SFJ, INTP? Maybe ISJF? When this the Universities of California, Michigan ‘MBTI boards’, read up on other ‘INFPs’ string of letters catches your eye you and Florida, Isobel moulded the theories thoughts and feelings and matched them Emay feel the thrill of familiarity or into a questionnaire; the ‘Indicator’ was to my own. It was as if I had been you may remain bemused. ‘Like MMR?’, created in 1942. Henry Chauncey, the diagnosed with a rare, unfamiliar one of my friends enquired. ‘No’, I replied, head of the Educational Testing Service, condition and I had to find out ‘I’ll explain’. everything about it as quickly as Some months ago my brother possible. To my shock, on reading came home with more than a little the descriptions of an INFP, I appeared to say. Surprising for a 14-year-old! to meet its ‘requirements’. Being 16, His idle conversation lingered in I faced the same issues of most at that the air whilst my family gave age – I was a teenager! It is almost assuring nods and half answers. universally accepted among Western However, the thing that struck us cultures that this stage of development was his absolute enchantment with is about ‘finding yourself’, and I felt the ‘MBTI’ test, which he had been for the first time that I had indeed introduced to at school. My parents found myself. I fitted into a category, revealed that they had taken it into society. The sense of belonging through work and that it had was overwhelming. enhanced their understanding My days were then spent of themselves and others. This convincing others to take the internet spurred me on to try the online tests. Those who did, and who were version. I gave the required ‘yes’ or of a similar age to me, were clearly ‘no’ responses to the 72 questions captivated. We shared notes and and awaited my result. matched experiences; many hours of The test is a self-report valuable study time were consumed! questionnaire; the participant must We were engaged by our label, our choose their answer as truthfully We defined, simplified and eroded our personalities status and the newfound (to themselves) as possible. The down to four letters understanding of our characters to questions are not explicit; they ask the point where we defined, simplified how you deal with certain situations. published the first questionnaire in 1943, and eroded our personalities down to four The responses are analysed as to whether Consulting Psychologists Press (CPP, letters. We did not stop to consider that you are extraverted/introverted (E/I), if www.cpp.com) took this over in 1975. we may have been ‘mislabelled’, if this you use sensing/iNtuition (S/N) to gather They currently make approximately £20 was really a ‘fad’ or whether the MBTI information, whether you instinctively million from the two million people who was a valid, reliable or predictive tool. feel/think (F/T) your way to a decision, take the test each year. Oxford Psychology Had I looked thoroughly at the evidence or if you like to live your life in a decisive Press distributes the test in 14 different it would have revealed that the licensed or spontaneous way, that is you languages and supports research into its test had a questionable scientific base and judge/perceive (J/P). The combination, validity. Isabel Myers and Dr Mary its use of bimodal, overlapping categories for example ESFJ, determines your innate McCaulley founded the Centre for had limited its use in contemporary behavioural tendencies or personality Applications of Psychological Type research (for discussions see predispositions. There are a total of 16 (CAPT, www.capt.org) as a research tinyurl.com/pyh7r29 and combinations; they are not unique to you, laboratory and after Myers’ death in 1980, tinyurl.com/ptc59s2). but connect you to others who tend to McCaulley updated the MBTI Manual, In retrospect the most foolish thing behave in a similar way. with the second and last editions being I did was to try to force myself into ‘the The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator published in 1985 and 1998 respectively. category’. I enjoyed the idea that I was (MBTI) is one of the world’s most widely Only certified experts are allowed to an idealist, a dreamer, who used their used personality questionnaires. The handle the questionnaire. The main heartfelt emotions and carefully instrument was developed by Katharine distributors train people to administer considered principles to guide them, the Cook Briggs (1875–1968) and refined by it and give feedback. Indeed, the feedback person who would fight for a just cause. her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, after is probably more useful than knowledge The P confirmed and justified my untidy she saw similarities in Jung’s Psychological of the ‘combination’. CPP offers two room! As one of the rarer types I think Types. With the help of professors from questionnaires, one with 93 items the I may have aspired to be an INFP because

570 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 it generated a sense of belonging to a limitations. In fashion, labels define small but elusive group, countering the and categorise people into those who can loneliness a teenager can feel (only 3 per and cannot afford them or are beautiful, cent of the population have an INFP talented or young enough to wear such combination compared with other types brands. The media enhance this with up to 15 per cent prevalence). distinction; people buy the label not the However, there were aspects of the INFP clothes. ‘Labelling’ is also significant in personality that unsettled me. My portrait wider society. The class system has, for page stated that I couldn't deal with ‘hard many centuries, defined a person’s facts or logic’. I knew and had evidence position and worth, which in turn has that I could. I excelled in my science restricted them from fulfilling their true subjects at GCSE. I love science, for potential. The four-letter MBTI the very reason that it relies on facts, combination that the ‘internet clone tests’ yet at the same time it evolves. However, generate can also become a label – one I fought to stay in the category that I had that we wear like our clothes, except that been allocated to. The excuse ‘I'm an it is more personal. Just like a prisoner’s INFP’ often tumbled out of my mouth identity tag, this label can dehumanise us. as I was explaining the change in my These online tests are not a valid or Calling all behaviour, interests and potential job reliable representation of you as a human, choices. or your or others’ complex personalities Within weeks my parents sat me or potential. The ‘type’ is not specific to new down to find out what was going on. you, it has limited relevance to you. It is I was reluctant to admit it, but after some just a label, an oversimplified, maybe not reflection I realised that I had let myself even accurate, explanation of how you fall under a spell that had stopped me prefer to perceive the world. So given voices enjoying the things that I usually relish. these caveats, I would question whether After studying the boards again, it became there should be universal, open access to clear that others, outside my peer group, cloned questionnaires on the web, When someone is making waves had also become attached to the MBTI. particularly for children and teenagers in psychology in years to come, I banned every crumb of it from my who, without appropriate guidance, could we want to be able to say they computer. I made an effort to go out be vulnerable and misinterpret the MBTI published their first piece in The with my friends, something I had stopped findings. Psychologist. Our ’new voices’ doing due to my misinterpretation of Oversimplifying a concept to the word ‘introversion’, which, much categorise, organise, understand and section will give space to new to my humiliation, had rendered me communicate it, is something we should talent and original perspectives. into a hermit-like state. I went for runs. only do if we respect the limitations it We are looking for sole- I worked harder with facts. I had more brings, as we may overlook important authored pieces by those who fun and accepted myself more easily. aspects of the issue – in this case our have not had a full article I also reviewed the uncertified ‘internet unique selves! It is in our nature to clones’ of the test and recognised that organise but we should refrain from published in The Psychologist they were particularly destructive. attributing superfluous, superior or before. The only other criteria So grew my sub-thought, why had predictive value to some and not other will be that the articles should I tried to change, so desperately, to fit in categories. We should certainly not force engage and inform our large and to the category? As humans we seek to ourselves into a single type. I am free to diverse audience, be written understand others and importantly say that there are aspects of me that do exclusively for The Psychologist, ourselves, to frame where we stand. This not match ‘INFP’. Sometimes I’m not kind need is heightened by teenage insecurity and considerate, sometimes I do like and be no more than 1800 words. and lack of experience. The moderated conflict and debate and I can The emphasis is on unearthing understanding we seek often requires deal with logic but, like many INFP’s, I do new writing talent, within and simplification as we struggle to grasp the love to write, have strong values and seek about psychology. complex and interrelated concepts of harmony. The successful authors will personality and neurophysiology. Whilst So, my message is this. Do not let any modern technology such as the MRI, PET MBTI-style test you stumble across online reach an audience of 50,000 and fMRI scans have helped us to define you. If you use them make sure psychologists in print, and many understand autism and defined functional you challenge and question the results to more online. areas of the brain (e.g. frontal lobe for help you develop. Like all typologies they So get writing! Discuss ideas high order thinking), it has not yet have limitations in the way that our or submit your work to revealed how personality is determined personalities, actions and words do not. or developed. Perhaps it will always be [email protected]. And if you a mystery? Hence, in our need to simplify Caitlin Cherry is a Junior Sixth are one of our more senior we use labels and categories to organise student at Manchester High readers, perhaps you know of and translate our thoughts, to help make School for Girls someone who would be ideal for the concepts clearer. This is just what the [email protected] ‘new voices’: do let us know. MBTI seeks to do. However, whilst labels are used in most professions they have their

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 571 a job like anything else, it’s hard work and fairly unglamorous in a lot of ways. You need to focus on enjoying the time ‘The families are at the now, enjoy your studies but have fun, seek out stuff you’re interested in, not just things that tick off a list of ‘what do INTERVIEW centre of all this’ I need to do to get into clinical psychology?’ A lot of being a good clinical Jon Sutton meets clinical psychologist Fleur-Michelle Coiffait to hear about her psychologist can’t be taught – it’s being work with Leicestershire Partnership Trust a compassionate and warm person, for example.

Can that be almost trained out of you, the more form filling and box ticking the profession becomes? Tell me about your job. was very good for my own development, Especially in the current NHS context. It’s a bit of a long job title… I’m thinking about where I needed to get to There’s a lot of pressure to get people a specialist clinical psychologist in at the end of my training, and how I was through the doors and out again, on neurodevelopmental conditions, and going to get there. I grew up into a fully figures, on waiting times. There’s a lot of I’m also the autism spectrum disorders fledged psychologist. politics, agendas, and because resources clinical psychology lead. I’m working for are scarce people want you to do things Leicestershire Partnership Trust, and my It’s impressive that you think of all right now. Sometimes in meetings with job is quite unique because I work across those steps. I’ve been blown away other colleagues who aren’t psychologists, both CAMHS and the community child lately by how professional and driven I remind people why we are here, for the health services, which includes speech early-career psychologists are, ‘little people’. It’s so easy to get caught up and language therapy, paediatricians, et because I look back to my own days in the other stuff. The families and the cetera. So in terms of NHS services it’s and I don’t remember there being difficulties they have are at the centre of across tiers, it might be at the level of anything like that level of planning! all this. people recognising something is a bit There’s a lot more pressure these days to But there is a lot of pressure… In our different about this child, they might service I’ve taken a leading role on that, be having first thoughts about because I think as psychologists we’ve got autism, ADHD or other skills in service evaluation, in evidence, developmental disorders; right the measuring, and translating that into a way through to the really complex format that says ‘we’re doing this because ones who have multiple problems, it makes a difference, here is how that might have mental health issues as difference can be shown’. Other well, might be risk issues, saying that professions that don’t have that scientist- they want to harm themselves. My practitioner background struggle with job is to support the clinical that. We need to speak the language of psychology aspect of that provision, commissioners, and show them that this from first level all the way up. So it’s is worthwhile. quite a big task. That goes back to what you were And there’s a lot of responsibility saying about budding psychologists, too, given that so much of the it’s about transferable skills. emphasis is on early diagnosis Yes, the other stuff you will learn through and intervention? your training. A trainer doesn’t want It is a huge job. I’ve always worked someone who is already set in their ways, with more senior psychologists above you can’t shape that person into a well- me, so that’s been a bit of a challenge rounded practitioner. They want people because now there’s a shift to being who are open to new experiences and expected to do much more much learning, and that’s very much influenced earlier in your career. I think part of Fleur-Michelle Coiffait: on Twitter by the placements you do. I learnt more the reason I got this job is because @ChildClinPsych and blogging at in the placements than on the academic I did the Edinburgh five-year clinical http://fleurzel.wordpress.com side of things. training, a more specialised version of the doctorate. You specialise in a have those ideas earlier and earlier. It does Learning from ‘the little people’. So particular client group or area of work, feel, certainly in clinical psychology, that tell me about them, what have you and you work half-time with a specific you need to be 10 steps ahead. been up to this morning? service in your second and third year. Friday is a bit of a quiet day for me. On I worked for four years in a learning What would you say to a 21-year-old a Monday and Tuesday I have clinic days, disability team, and it was fantastic for you? and I’m limited by what space is available my development. I started off as a baby I curate a forum for early-career to see families and patients. So I can have psychologist, I’d not worked in that area. psychologists, and I get students who ask my appointments at the beginning of the I don’t know if it was because it was me ‘What’s the magic formula?’. I try to week. This morning I was doing a home working with developmental issues, but it impress on them that there isn’t one – it’s visit. I cover Leicester, Leicestershire and

572 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 interview

Rutland, so very diverse! Because I live times do you see them, and do you end up taking work home, and it freezes in Nottingham I have the home visits out inevitably get personally involved? out that side of things, particularly if you towards where I live at the beginning of It’s usually fortnightly… you spend want to have some kind of life! But I will the day. So I went to see a family who a lot of time chasing other people for quite often be driving to a clinic or I have recently completed an assessment information, that’s a big issue. Yes, you meeting and think ‘I’d really like to write for. My assessments can last two to three do build a relationship with that young a blog about this’… it’s a shame that isn’t months with the more complex person. Working with people with built into our role. individuals I work with. It’s usually young autism, that’s a key part of getting them to people who have been seen by CAMHS, engage. You have to take that time to find What do you think it brought you in had various inputs from psychiatry, out what they’re interested in, how you the years you did do it? nurses, they might have been along to can ‘speak their language’. They need to I had so many ideas going around my group work, but the case manager feels feel comfortable and trust me, as do head, it was a good space to formulate something more specialist is required in parents. We’re talking about quite and organise them. To invite other relation to their autism or ADHD. So personal stuff, and they might not have people’s thoughts, comments and they’ve done the standard help that is on spoken to anybody about it in that way experiences, to look at different offer, and either it hasn’t worked or before. There is the potential to develop perspectives… you don’t get that in a they’ve made as much progress as they these quite unique relationships with research article necessarily. There’s also can. They’re referred to my team, and I people, but I’ve always got to remember a role for opening up what we do to Joe will always do an assessment. People will why I’m there, and what’s best for that Bloggs. often say ‘Oh, they need this’, but I find family. It isn’t good for them if they get it useful to go there fresh. I go through too close and start to see me as a friend, Now you’re mostly restricted to a full developmental history, asking the I learnt that in my training. When you Twitter, which I suppose serves some parents and sometimes the young person finish the work, families can feel of the same functions. about their speech development, all abandoned, so you’ve got to have that I see it as a bulletin, you can share things different aspects of their physical, balance of being approachable but not really easily, get in a discussion… it’s like cognitive and emotional development, be their friend. a micro blog. going right back to pregnancy. I ask about the wider family history, current And it’s about managing expectations Where do you see yourself ending up? problems… I think something which as well, I suppose. People are coming As with many similar NHS services, in the psychologists do that often gets missed is to you at the stage they’ve probably service I’m in there’s a lot of challenges – asking the person ‘well, how do you make tried a range of things, then you come the post is new, my team is new, so I’d sense of that?’ I might do some more along and they see you as the answer like to get that formally set up and stable specialist assessment, such as to their prayers. and then I may move on, because I’m not neuropsychological testing. I look at That can happen, and also people can enjoying the commute! I’d quite like to practical skills, to build up a picture of be very angry by the time they see me. go back to Manchester, I have family where their strengths and weaknesses lie I’m quite honest that I might not have an there. I think I bit off more than I could and how that fits with what they’re answer. I can say I specialise in this work, chew, coming somewhere I didn’t know, presenting with. I’ve seen lots of people like you, I will do to a new service, a new post… hard work. a thorough assessment, and check that It sounds like detective work, almost. everything’s been done that can be done, You don’t seem like someone who’s It is. And psychologists do it differently… that we’re not missing anything, but scared of a challenge. I speak to speech and language therapists sometimes we can’t do anything more. I know, I seem to get attracted to them. and get their take on that bit, and pull it That’s really hard. And because I became a specialist in children with life- all together. I use a sheet, ‘This is me’, developmental issues can be lifelong, limiting conditions because I would have which has all these different boxes for the we have to help parents come to terms the really difficult conversations. It was child’s functioning and how that affects with the fact that it’s not going to go away. very worthwhile work. I did a placement them. People find that useful. I developed They need to come to terms with that, in adult oncology too, working with that, because a lot of my role was pulling but also see the things they are doing people with cancer. It’s very humbling, everything together and taking a holistic well, their strengths. There’s a lot of it’s an honour to do it. view. Families can look at it and resilience in these families, and they need understand it, and if they’re going to a to realise what they are doing right. It It will be interesting if and when you new school for example they can take goes back to my thesis… I found locus of have your own kids… It changes how that and say ‘Look, this is Joe, this is who control was a really important issue, and you interact with other children. In he is’. They’ve got a starting point. Then even in my work now it’s about helping some ways I think it shuts you off from after my assessment, I’ll decide what will families see what they can control and other them and their problems, support in those areas. Maybe it’s make a difference with. If you can get because all you can do is imagine if it recommendations for school, or they may families to a place where they have some was your own child. need to see someone else for assessment control, and they can feel it… The thought of that does scare me, or advice. I look to give the child an because I’ve seen the really sharp end of understanding of what they are good at So in the midst of this responsible, kids with significant problems. I can see too, and how they can manage their time-consuming job, are you finding everything that can go wrong, I’m well issues in the real world. I’m not going to time to do the blogging side of things, aware of it. It’s quite funny though, when be there to hold their hand. which is where I came across you? I see my nieces and nephews, I’m like Not as much as I would like! Being a full- ‘Woah, they’re normal!’ It’s nice for me You say that, but you’re talking about time practitioner you don’t get the same to spend time round them, to put it in three-month assessments… how many opportunities to do that. It’s very easy to context a bit.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 573 President’s column SOCIETY President Jamie Hacker Hughes Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes Contact Jamie Hacker Hughes via the Society’s Leicester President Elect office, or e-mail: [email protected] Professor Peter Kinderman

Vice President Professor Dorothy Miell s you will know, one new thing that I am to tie in with Men’s Health Week and ‘Walk the trying to do, as part of my primary goal of Talk’ (see p.577) that some of our psychologists Honorary General Secretary Araising the visibility of psychology, is to will be participating in in August to raise Dr Carole Allan have regular themed output, not only in our awareness of, and highlight psychology’s own press and publications (such as our, widely concern of with and for, these issues. In all Honorary Treasurer acknowledged as excellent, Psychologist of this we have been supported by our Professor Ray Miller magazine), but also in externally facing news Communication Team and we welcome the releases and web content. The aim of this is to appointment of the Society’s new Director of Chair, increase our impact through informing people Policy and Communication, Claire Herbert, who (not just our membership, but also all of our joins us from the General Dental Council. It is Membership Standards Board professional colleagues, constituents, the media, very good indeed to have Claire on board and in Dr Mark Forshaw decision makers and the general public) about post with us. what our psychologists have been involved with This month’s themes, are sport, exercise, Chair, in a planned, proactive manner, and by coming and their links with psychological and physical Education and Public up with informed and timely psychological health. As President, I get to represent the Engagement Board comment, opinion and reaction to news and Society at many of our Branch conferences and Professor Catriona Morrison other events. other events and have In terms of the latter, we have already been to the South Chair, been very busy with releases on a wide West, Wessex, London range of topics since the beginning of and Home Counties, Research Board my term as our Society’s President, Wales, Scotland and Professor Daryl O’Connor including: Mental Health Awareness Northern Ireland, as well Week, the Nepal earthquake, the as sitting on several of Chair, Germanwings disaster, and the our Boards and visiting Professional Practice Board publication by the new government of our staff at our Leicester Dr Ian Gargan Improving England’s Mental Health: The office. At the NIBPS First 100 Days. All of these releases are conference, I had the The Society has offices in Belfast, available at www.bps.org.uk/news. great pleasure of meeting Cardiff, Glasgow and London, as May’s theme was government Britain’s 2014 Sochi Winter and politics, and it was symbolic that Kelley Fay (L) and Kelly Paralympic Games Women’s well as the main office in Dr Lisa Cameron, consultant clinical Gallagher (R) Super G gold medallist, Kelly Leicester. All enquiries should psychologist, was elected as the Gallagher. Kelly is visually be addressed to the Leicester Scottish National Party MP for East impaired, so skis down an office (see inside front cover for Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow [see also extremely steep and tight slalom course at address). p.527]. I was pleased to be able to congratulate speeds of over 70 mph together with her guide, Lisa on her election on behalf of the Society, and Charlotte Evans. Kelly spoke to the NIBPS we have already met with Lisa in the Houses of conference with her psychologist, Kelley Fay, The British Psychological Parliament to discuss how we can increase the of Northern Ireland Sports Institute. She said: Society visibility of psychology in the UK and to If I hadn’t been able to have an efficient was founded in 1901, and increase its impact on both policy and practice. and sustainable relationship with Charlotte incorporated by Royal Charter in June’s themes were work and industry, then I don’t feel we would have been able 1965. Its object is ‘to promote the employment and unemployment and to produce a winning partnership. Our psychologist helped develop this… We advancement and diffusion of homelessness and social justice, and we had an excellent article in last month’s issue by needed to be able to communicate a knowledge of psychology pure Sheffield University’s Angela Carter on youth effectively and clearly, Charlotte needed and applied and especially to unemployment; the Chair of the Division of to be able to lead and encourage me and promote the efficiency and Occupational Psychology, Roxane Gervais, had I needed to be able to trust and believe in usefulness of Members of the a guest blog on the ‘Work Wise’ website; the her in order for us to be able to spend as Society by setting up a high Society issued a Call to Action, after some hard much time together training and work by a specially convened working party and competing. Understanding each other’s standard of professional supported by our Policy Team, on Work behaviours and language, and having role education and knowledge’. Capability Assessments (see over), and there clarity was an important first step – this set Extract from The Charter was coverage of June’s issues of unemployment, the foundations so we could build and push social justice and homelessness on our website on, especially when we were in more

574 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 society

Honorary life membership At an award ceremony at this year’s Annual Conference in Liverpool, Arts in 1996. She has been editor of Psychology of Music and regularly Professor Susan Hallam MBE was made an Honorary Life Member of peer reviews for several music education journals. In the new year the Society. The distinction was awarded for lifelong and outstanding Sue was awarded an MBE for services to music education. contributions to the psychology of music and psychology in education Nominating her for Honorary Life Membership of the Society, through the three strands of her career – as a professional musician, Professor Dave Putwain (Edge Hill University) said: ‘Professor music educator and academic. Hallam has not sought the limelight for herself, but has made an Professor Hallam has published extensively; her publications, impressive mark on each of the fields in which she has been numbering well over a hundred, range from books, involved; her students find her inspiring to work monographs and book chapters to singly and jointly with, and the psychology in education research authored refereed journal articles. These community has benefited enormously from her wise publications reveal not only the high quality of her and dedicated service. She is widely respected and personal contribution to the world of music, most deserving of recognition.’ psychology and education, but also her contribution On receiving the award, Professor Hallam said: to the development of those who share in it. Most ‘It is a great honour to have been made an Honorary recently, she led a major programme of research, Life Member of the BPS. Having studied at the Royal funded by the UK Research Councils, which has Academy of Music and spent some 10 years as a made a significant contribution to the evidence base full-time professional musician and then a further demonstrating the social, emotional and cognitive 10 as a music educator getting recognition for my benefits of music-making in older age. work as a psychologist in what for me was a third Professor Hallam has had extensive career is humbling to say the least. My studies in engagement with professional bodies in the fields psychology at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral of music, psychology and education research. She level were all undertaken part-time alongside my sat on the Representative Council of the BPS from music careers and undertaken because I was 2004 to 2006 and was Chair of the Representative Professor Susan Hallam fascinated by psychology. When I applied for the post of Council in 2012. Lecturer in the Psychology of Education at the Institute of In recognition of her excellence in teaching and Education I could barely believe it when I was successful. research respectively, she was made a member of the Higher I was simultaneously thrilled and overwhelmed. At that time I would Education Academy in 2001 and an Academician of the Academy not have believed that I would become a professor and Dean of of Social Sciences in 2003, an Associate Fellow of the British Faculty let alone be awarded an MBE and be made an Honorary Life Psychological Society in 1995, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Member of the BPS.’

challenging situations and encouraged us to let our emotions Royal Society of Medicine, the Royal College environments. If we didn’t believe in out and acknowledge them, etc., we of Psychiatrists and the Royal Academy of the work which our psychologist was received a ‘gentle’ push to move on and Engineering’s launch of the excellent Implicit encouraging us to do, if we didn’t allow refocus. Charlotte and I were able to Bias Training) and in dealings with our sister her full access to our thoughts… the take more control at this point and set organisations abroad. At the beginning of impact would not have been as positive. our target for the next day’s race where May I represented us at the Presidents’ Developing our own coping we won our gold. Council of the European Federation of strategies was also a major part of our Did sport psychology help us achieve Psychology Associations (EFPA) in Brussels, work – having time on our own, our gold? I can honestly say yes – and I shall be chairing their General communicating methods on/off snow, without having an effective relationship Assembly in Milan at the end of this month. anxiety control techniques, and stress with my guide or getting the personal At the end of May, though, I was in Russia management tools were adopted support during some very tough times preparing the way for a new Memorandum of individually by us. Overcoming injuries, and having the coping strategies to deal Association that we are entering into with the serious accidents, personal tragedies with issues, I don’t feel we would have Russian Psychological Society, which we shall were all areas where we used these been able to train as hard or as well or be signing at the EFPA Congress HQ, coping strategies and received support cope with the disappointment of the first witnessed by all our international colleagues, from Kelley. There were times when day at Sochi – all which contributed in July. It was very special, on a visit to a I felt I may not be able to continue to ski towards our ability to claim that gold rehabilitation and treatment centre for such was the emotion I experienced, but medal that we are so proud of. Russian veterans of the Afghan war with a with the right support around me I was group of British veterans and professionals able to make the decision to remain. In addition to developing links with our working with them, to be shown, and One of the major disappointments membership – and I remind everybody that allowed to carry, the Winter Paralympic from the actual games was not having the review which our Society is conducting Torch that the Russian Veterans carried for our psychologist with us due to of its member networks closes on 6 July, see the Sochi Winter Olympics. accreditation and funding issues – but www.bps.org.uk/membernetworkreview – the I wish you all a healthy July, hopefully despite this though she made herself President represents the Society in our work with some sport and leisure. It is good to available to us using the gems of with sister organisations, both in the UK have had the opportunity of learning more modern technology. We particularly (Mental Health Awareness Week saw me about the links between physical and needed this support after our very supporting the Mental Health Foundation’s psychological health, and of what psychology disappointing first race, and once she launch, and I also spoke at events run by the has to offer in this area.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 575 society Call for reform of the Work Capability Assessment

The government should commission to expedite a full review of the assessment I a reliable, valid and fully researched an ‘end-to-end redesign’ of the Work and its processes. Society President Jamie method of assessment to replace the Capability Assessment (WCA) process, Hacker Hughes said: ‘There is now a Limited Capacity for Work says a new Society briefing paper (see significant body of evidence that the WCA Questionnaire (ESA 50) and the face- tinyurl.com/qguswec). The paper cites a is failing to assess people’s fitness for to-face WCA; growing body of evidence that seriously ill work accurately and appropriately, with I training in assessment, scoring and people are being inappropriately subjected people who are seriously physically and interpretation for the test to WCA. It also argues that the WCA does mentally ill being found fit for work and administrators; not effectively measure fitness for work those with acute, transient episodes being I specialist assessors to assess people and that its application is producing assessed as lacking capacity and treated in with mental, cognitive and intellectual inappropriate outcomes for claimants. the same way as those with a longer term functioning difficulties; The briefing paper quotes the prognosis. Appeals against the decisions I supervision of the assessors from conclusion of the 2014 review by the are running at approximately 50 per cent, qualified clinicians with expertise in House of Commons Work and Pensions and around half of those appeals are rehabilitation, assessment and Select Committee: ‘Simply rebranding the upheld. The cost to the taxpayer from interpretation; WCA by taking on a new provider will this alone is £50m, with a similar amount I referral routes to specialist assessment not solve the problems… This will be being spent on reassessment. The and support for those with time consuming and complex, but the Department of Work and Pensions is now psychological, cognitive and re-designed ESA assessment processes under significant pressure to publish data intellectual functioning difficulties; needs to be in place by the time a on the number of people who have died and completely new contract, involving whilst claiming out-of-work disability I appropriate periods of reassessment multiple providers, is tendered in 2018.’ benefits.’ for people with long-term conditions, The Society strongly endorses this To redesign the WCA system the based on specialist advice to conclusion and calls for the government paper calls for the introduction of: accurately reflect the prognosis. Communities of hope Sue Northrop, Chair of the Society’s Branches Forum, reports from a symposium at the Society’s Annual Conference As people voted for a new government, psychologists were problems. When a local service was facing closure, service users talking about how hope can change the world. ‘Communities took it over and now, a few years on, the charity is now thriving, of Hope’ – the first Branches Forum symposium, supported by even being commissioned to run services by their local Clinical members of the Community Psychology Section – provided an Commissioning Group. Chris showcased what peer support opportunity to celebrate and highlight the contribution that meant to them, how it had built confidence and changed their psychological thinking and research are making across the UK. lives. There are now more than 30 service users regularly Paul Gaffney spoke about his work with children in care and involved in the service, empowering themselves and others the important role that psychologists have played in transforming through peer support. services. Being in ‘care’ takes you out of the community and I then spoke about Dementia Friendly East Lothian, a undermines your attachments, replacing them with people who community-led initiative that opens local conversations about can walk away. These children and young people are often what life is like here if you have dementia. The initiative works written off, but a strengths bases and relational approach can by building relationships across the community that include and transform this experience. Paul described how a focus on what respect people living with dementia as valued citizens. Diversity people can do, building positive relationships in care and and difference of community approaches create a rich culture for engaging with the professionals in the wider environment help learning and sharing and there is a strong artistic and these young people to build their own stories of hope. intergenerational aspect to the work. Communities are engaging Ho Law gave us a moving account of the types of narratives with commissioners and decision makers, raising questions of despair that people in therapy often bring with them and how about how psychology can help generate persuasive evidence. they impact on all aspects of self. Ho told us about a community In the discussion we reflected on the similar messages peer coaching programme he is evaluating that is aimed at coming from all the papers about the important of peer support, building confidence for women in business. He explained an collaborative working and valuing diversity. The papers evaluation model that uses narrative as a way of telling unfolding illustrated that psychologists with different skills in different stories. Ho described how narrative allows a consideration of the settings have a major contribution to making the world a better emotional plot, narrative turn and gives plot, context and power place. to a story. The Branches Forum hopes to make this an annual event, Chris Lynch spoke about an innovative citizen-led service if you’re interested please get in touch with through our adviser that provides peer-support for people with mental health Anne Kerr [email protected].

576 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 society The ‘always-on’ culture Gail Kinman, Almuth McDowall, Christine Grant and Cristina Quinones-Garcia report Walking the talk from a BPS-funded seminar on work–life boundary management Society President Jamie Hacker Hughes and Stephen Weatherhead, editor of Clinical The second BPS-funded seminar on the example, by reading work e-mails while Psychology Forum, will walk the 100 miles implications of the ‘always-on’ culture watching TV with a glass of wine in from the BPS office in Leicester to the explored the ways in which individuals hand). Interestingly, evidence was London office in order to highlight social use technology across the lifespan. The provided that young people may be policies that are leading to psychological hugely popular event, hosted by Almuth attempting to reduce their engagement distress. They will be visiting food banks McDowall and Gail Kinman at Birkbeck, with technology and creating boundaries and homeless shelters along the way in University of London, brought together by using various self-regulation strategies, order to hear the stories of people whose researchers and practitioners from a range such as leaving their smart phone at home psychological wellbeing has been affected of disciplines to explore how people use to avoid ‘temptation’ at work or college. technology for work and leisure, how they Jonathan Fenn and Danny Kay from by social and economic issues. manage work–life boundaries, and the Ofcom presented an overview of the Their route will take them from Leicester implications for balance, wellbeing and findings of their Digital Day survey: an through Rugby, Northampton, Woburn and job performance. in-depth study of the media and Clerkenwell, ending at the Society’s London Our keynote speaker, Professor Ellen communications activities of 1644 UK office. They will also make stops in other Ernst Kossek of Purdue University in the adults and children over a seven-day small towns with the aim of listening to the USA (see interview in the July 2014 period. The findings demonstrate that locals and to their accounts of their issue), presented her we are now typically experiences of these issues. research on ‘flexstyles’, spending more time on ‘Psychology is a profession built on which refer to the different media and talking, but not necessarily about speaking ways in which people communications each day out and taking action on some of the more manage work–life than we spend sleeping. social issues that can have a big impact on boundaries – integrating, Many age-related a person’s wellbeing,’ said Stephen separating or volleying differences were observed: Weatherhead. They are hoping to highlight between both. Technology e.g. middle-aged people three areas in particular: the benefits allows people to work spend as much as 47 per system, homelessness and food poverty. flexibly, but there is strong cent of their day e- Jamie Hacker Hughes added: ‘Symbolically, potential for work to mailing, whereas the we hope, through walking these 100 miles, to colonise all aspects of life. average young person demonstrate that psychology really does care Ellen argued that a high spends around two-thirds about these issues and wants to listen so degree of self-regulation is Age-related differences of their time on their mobile that, as a group of professionals, we might be therefore required to avoid were observed phone – with most of that as effective as possible in informing changes overload. Nonetheless, she time spent texting. in policy and practice.’ explained that the extent to which The final talk highlighted the benefits Stephen Weatherhead continued: individuals feel in control of their of mindfulness practice as a way to ‘Poverty and psychological wellbeing interact, work–life balance and whether it fits their achieve balance in an ‘always-on’ world. and the systems we have in place around values and needs are more important for Many organisations are using these issues don’t necessarily support a wellbeing than whether the domains are mindfulness-based interventions to person’s emotional wellbeing as much as separated or integrated. enhance wellbeing in their employees, they could, in fact in some cases they are Professor Gillian Symon of Royal with demonstrable effectiveness. Professor detrimental. We are trying to raise Holloway School of Management and Dr Monique Valcour, of EDHEC Business awareness of these issues and show that Rebecca Whiting of Birkbeck reported School in France, argued that being fully psychologists care about social issues, have findings from their EPSRC-funded Digital present in the moment without something to say about them and want to Brain Switch project. This used an judgement, the key element of press policy buttons to affect change.’ innovative combination of video diaries mindfulness, is antithetical to multi- During the walk, which is expected to and interviews to explore the implications tasking. To aid recovery and achieve take five days from 17 to 21 August, the pair of mobile technologies and social media balance, she argued, we need to find out will be gathering narratives from people who for managing work–life boundaries and what energises and drains us. Monique use food banks and homeless services. Video transitions between domains. They demonstrated simple but highly effective recordings of those stories will be uploaded presented five highly engaging case mindfulness skills, with potential to to the #WalktheTalk2015 website. studies of people from various life stages encourage meaningful connections with I If you would like to suggest a food bank, and backgrounds to illustrate variations other people as well as personal balance. homeless shelter or other place for them in integration/separation between life Feedback from delegates was to stop at, e-mail Stephen Weatherhead on domains and role switching strategies. extremely positive. The final seminar in [email protected] or contact Findings showed that technology can the series is by invitation only and will him through Twitter @SteWeatherhead or enable flexibility and encourage blended identify key outputs and priorities for Jamie Hacker Hughes on @profjamiehh. identities where people may be boundary- research and interventions to help people Full route and more information at free. New integrating practices were engage more positively with technology at tinyurl.com/p52ov52. discussed, such as ‘working lite’, where different life stages in different working people mix business with pleasure (for contexts.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 577 society Society SOCIETY NOTICES Division of Educational Psychology Annual Conference and TEP Day, London, vacancies January 2016 See p.533 DCP Faculty for Children, Young People and Their Families conference, Committee on Test Standards Birmingham, October 2015 See p.557 BPS Annual Conference, Nottingham, April 2016 See p.i Ordinary Committee Members Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology conference, Leeds, December 2015 See advert p.532 See p.559 Contact Psychological Testing Centre Postdoctoral Conference Bursary Scheme See p.569 [email protected] BPS conferences and events See p.578 Closing date Friday 7 August 2015 CPD workshops 2015 See p.579 Psychology in the Pub (South West of England Branch) See p.580 Dementia Advisory Group 5th European Coaching Psychology Conference, London, December 2015 Two Members (Scotland and See p.583 Transpersonal Psychology Section conference, Scarborough, September 2015 Northern Ireland) See p.583

See advert p.550 Psychology in the Pub (North East of England Branch) See p.584 Contact Liz Beech [email protected] DCP South Central England Branch ‘Leading Compassionately’ event, Newbury, 8 July 2015 See p.584 Closing date Monday 3 August 2015

Organised by BPS Conferences BPS conferences are committed to ensuring value for money, careful budgeting and sustainability

2015 Division of Forensic Psychology 1–3 July Manchester Metropolitan University www.bps.org.uk/dfp2015 Psychology of Women Section 8–10 July Cumberland Lodge, Windwor www.bps.org.uk/pows2015 Division of Counselling Psychology 10–11 July Majestic Hotel, Harrogate www.bps.org.uk/dcop2015 Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section 2–4 September Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge www.bps.org.uk/qmip2015 Developmental Section & Social Section 9–11 September The Palace Hotel, Manchester www.bps.org.uk/devsoc2015 Division of Health Psychology 16–18 September Radisson Blu Portman, London www.bps.org.uk/dhp2015 Children and Young People 6–7 October Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC www.bps.org.uk/cyp2015 Psychology4Students 19 November Mercure, Sheffield www.bps.org.uk/p4s2015 Psychology4Students 1 December Friends Meeting House, Euston, London www.bps.org.uk/p4s2015 Psychology4Graduates 2 December Friends Meeting House, Euston, London www.bps.org.uk/p4g2015 Division of Clinical Psychology 2–4 December Radisson Blu Portman, London www.bps.org.uk/dcp2015 Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology 14–15 December The Queens Hotel, Leeds www.bps.org.uk/dsep2015

Division of Occupational Psychology 6–8 January East Midlands Conference Centre, Notts www.bps.org.uk/dop2016

2016 Annual Conference 26–28 April East Midlands Conference Centre, Notts www.bps.org.uk/ac2016

578 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 2015 CPD Workshops Professional development opportunities from your learned Society

Self-compositioning coaching: A method for leadership development (Cross network) 26 June Cognitive assessment of children and young people (Day 2) (Cross network) LEEDS 1 July Co-creating change through dialogue (DOP) 6 July Working with gender and sexual minorities in therapy (Sexualities Section) 20 July Expert witness: Responsibilities and business (Workshop 1) 3 September Expert witness: Report writing (Workshop 2) 4 September Overcoming resistance to change using process consultation (Cross network) 8 September Working successfully in private practice 10 September Engaging effectively with the supervision and reflective practice process (Cross network) 23 September Working with refugees and asylum seekers (Cross network) 28 September An introduction to sleep: Psychobehavioural assessment and treatment strategies for people with insomnia (Cross network) 2 October Pluralism in qualitative research (Cross network) 6 October Person-centred planning: A practical introduction for psychologists (Cross network) 6 October Working successfully in private practice 8 October A somatic approach to Integral Life Theory Practice (ILP) – Taking theory into practice (Cross network) 19 October Introduction to ethics and professional practice: Ethical decision-making (DFP) 20 October Psychological interventions for a variety of contexts: Issues of design and implementation (SGCP) 22 October Cognitive assessment of children and young people (Day 2) (Cross network) GLASGOW 29 October An introduction to mindfulness-based interventions for health psychologists (DHP) 30 October CYP-IAPT and clinical psychology (DCP) MANCHESTER 30 October Counselling skills for sport and physical exercise (DSEP) 5 November Expert witness: Court room evidence (Workshop 3) 5 November Expert witness: Using psychometrics (Workshop 4) 6 November Supervision skills: Enhancing supervision skills (Workshop 2) 6 November Don’t get caught out: Ethical and professional dilemmas for psychologists and psychotherapists in 2015 (Cross network) 9 November Devising an effective performance appraisal system (DOP) 13 November Sexualised behaviour: An integrated approach to supporting families and schools (DECP) 16 November Working successfully in private practice 19 November Mixed methods research for the quantitative researcher (Cross network) 27 November

For more information on these CPD events and many more visit www.bps.org.uk/ﬁndcpd.

www.bps.org.uk/learningcentre

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 579 International Academy for Professional Development Centre for Stress Management Centre for Coaching promoting the cognitive behavioural approach for over 25 years promoting the cognitive behavioural approach Two-day & Three-day Courses Diplomas† Advanced Certifi cates Stress Management 22-23 Sept; 17-18 Nov Coaching (40 Credits, Level 6) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Training 11-12 Aug; 6-7 Oct; 30 Nov - 1 Dec Psychological Coaching/Coaching Psychology (50 Credits, Level 7) Problem Focused Counselling, Coaching & Training 23-24 Jul Certifi cate Courses Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Skills 3-5 November Coaching (15 Credits, Level 5)† 3-7 Aug; 14-18 Sept; 23-27 Nov Assertion and Communication Skills Training 11-12 Nov Psychological Coaching (15 Credits, Level 6)† 12-16 Oct Other Courses (modular) Coaching Psychology (20 Credits, Level 7)† 12-16 Oct Stress Management and Performance Coaching (Level 5, 30 Credits) (6-days)† modular Foundation Certifi cate in CBT and REBT (4 days) Stress Management, Health and Wellbeing Coaching 4 days) Foundation Certifi cate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (4 days) Two-day Courses Certifi cate in REBT (5-days)|Certifi cate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (5-days) Stress Management 22-23 Sept; 17-18 Nov Certifi cate in Stress Management (6 days) Health and Wellbeing Coaching 26-27 Oct Advanced Certifi cate in CBT & Stress Management (11-days) modular Performance Coaching 14-15 July; 30 Sept-1 Oct; 14-15 Dec Distance Learning Courses Problem Focused Counselling, Coaching & Training 23-24 Jul Coaching/ Coaching Psychology Supervision 8-9 Sept Life Coaching: A cognitive behavioural approach Assertion and Communication Skills Training 11-12 Nov Stress Management † Courses accredited by Middlesex University. All courses recognised by the International Society for All courses recognised by the International Society for Coaching Psychology Coaching Psychology. The Centre for Coaching is an ILM Recognised Provider. Email: [email protected] Website: www.managingstress.com Email: [email protected] Website: www.centreforcoaching.com

Our courses are British Psychological Society Learning Centre Approved and are held at the BPS London, Borehamwood and Edinburgh or in-house. We have trained 1000s of practitioners on our recognised modular courses since the 1980s. The Founder Director of the Centres and Academy is Prof Stephen Palmer PhD. Our experienced trainers have authored books and/or articles in their particular ﬁ elds. They include Chartered Psychologists: Prof Stephen Palmer, Dr Siobhain O’Riordan, Nick Edgerton & Kasia Szymanska. 156 Westcombe Hill, London SE3 7DH. Tel: +44 (0) 208 853 4171. Reservations: 0845 680 2075. Part of the International Academy for Professional Development Ltd. Website: www.iafpd.com

Psychology WELLCOME TRUST RESEARCH in the Pub TRAINING FELLOWSHIPS FOR Clincal Psychologists and Psychiatrists

Oxford University is pleased to announce a training fellowship programme that speciﬁ cally focuses on clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists interested in conducting research in mental or cognitive health.

Full details of the programme, potential supervisors & projects, and how to Bath apply can be found at: To blow or not to blow http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/graduateschool/doctoral-training/programme/ Wednesday 1 July 2015 biomedical-and-clinical-sciences Dr Katie Porkess

Successful candidates will receive training in a wide range of research Plymouth methodologies and will conduct research leading to the award of a DPhil in Current approaches to their chosen area. Fellowships are for three years; funding covers university working with complex fees and a full clinical salary at the appropriate level. The programme places developmental trauma strong emphasis on translational research. To facilitate this, fellows will Thursday 23 July 2015 have the opportunity to spend one day-a-week working in a clinical unit that Dr Sarah Mundy specialises in translating research ﬁ ndings into routine clinical care.

Interested applicants are encouraged to approach potential supervisors (see website) as soon as possible to discuss and develop a suitable project. For more information or to notify us that you will be attending visit www.bps.org.uk/southwest-events

580 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 BPS Textbooks in Psychology No other series bears the BPS seal of approval

Refreshingly written to consider more than Northern American research, this series is the ﬁ rst to give a truly international perspective. Every title fully complies with the BPS syllabus in the topic.

Each book is supported by a companion website, featuring additional resource materials for both instructors and students.

NEW NEW NEW EDITION EDITION EDITION

Special discounts available for BPS members*

* For further information go to www.psychsource.bps.org.uk

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 581 the the psychologist psychologist vol 28 no 1 january 2015 vol 28 no 3 march 2015 www.thepsychologist.org.uk www.thepsychologist.org.uk

vol 28 no 2 psychologithe fe brua ww ry 20 w.th epsyc 15 holog ist.org .uk st

The ‘street children’ of Latin Words and America sorcery Simon Oxenham and Jon Sutton Graham Pluck with a story of consider the causes of bad writing challenge and survival for millions in psychology, and its impact

letters 2 radical behaviourism 24 letters 172 eldercare: the new frontier 202 news 8 mindfulness in psychology 28 news 184 sweet memories 206 interview 40 mental illness – head to head debate 34 careers 236 sexual identity at work 212 reviews 66 looking back: Asch’s line studies 72 reviews 244 masculinity, trauma and ‘shell shock’ 250

The wo surprisin rld of synaesthes g Ja ck Dutton investi ia ga letters tes 7 ne 8 car ws lo e 90 h ok ers ow ing 148 relation back doe 16 s ou sh 6 in r u ips terv nco hel iew ns p us view : Rob cious to poi i ru age nts n Du le? we : ‘le nb 11 ll 11 t d ar 1 4 0 own by 26 psy cholog y’ the 128 psychologist

www.thepsychologist.org.uk www.twitter.com/psychmag

582 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 SGCP 5th European Coaching Psychology Conference 2015 Breaking New Ground Thursday 10 and Friday 11 December 2015 at the Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury This Conference will inspire collaborations in research evidence, professional accreditation and training routes. It will provide a platform for setting the aspirations and agenda for both coaching and coaching psychology for the coming years. CALL FOR INTEREST – PAPER SUBMISSIONS NOW INVITED. Deadline: Tuesday 1 September 2015 There will be two days of Impressive Speakers, exciting and new Topics and a broad range of Master classes, Skills Workshops and Scientific Papers covering the following themes: Leadership, Executive and Business Coaching Positive Psychology Coaching (including resilience) Tools & Techniques in Coaching Psychology including CPD & Peer Practice Coaching Psychology Research Network, including international collaborations, international developments, new research, new researchers and new developments

This event is organised by the BPS Special Group in Coaching Psychology and administered by KC Jones conference&events Ltd, 01332 224501

Please visit www.sgcp.eu for further information

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 583 Leading Compassionately: Bringing yourself to the challenge of change within living systems Wednesday 8 July 2015 Shaw House, Newbury PSYCHOLOGY IN THE PUB Becoming a 7.30pm This is a free event for DCP members only, if you are better improviser Monday 6 July 2015 not a member you will need to join first Ryan Offut The Duke of York, Kings Square, York www.bps.org.uk/leading-compassionately

@PsychologyNE on Twitter For more information or to notify us that you will be South Central England Branch attending visit www.bps.org.uk/neeb

The only series of books to be approved by the British Psychological Society. Visit our website to find books for the practitioner, the academic, the instructor and the student, including:

U BPS Textbooks in Psychology, with supporting Online Resources U BPS Student Guides

What’s more, as a member you will qualify for a discount: 20% BPS member discount on all titles 30% BPS student member discount on all titles

Go to: www.psychsource.bps.org.uk now to find out more.

584 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 YOU RECEIVE A COMPLAINT FROM A CLIENT. YOU COUNT ON YOUR BROKER TO HELP. BUT CAN YOU TRUST YOUR INSURANCE POLICY TO PROTECT YOU?

WHO ARE WE? Howden are professional liability specialists and our team has been arranging insurance for Professional Associations and their members for many years.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE? Our civil liability policy is designed to protect you in the event of a civil claim being made against you, or a complaint being made about you to your professional body or other regulator. We are here to help throughout the duration of your policy, not just when you arrange it and renew it – so give us a call.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

FOR MEMBERS OF THE BPS WHO PRACTICE PSYCHOLOGY (INCLUDING TRAINING AND SUPERVISION):

QUALIFIED TRAINEES LIMIT OF INDEMNITY £ 1.5m £ 3m £ 5m £ 1.5m £ 3m £ 5m Premium (Including Legal Helpline) 54.31 64.79 106.69 29.50 35.00 57.00 LOOKINGInsurance Premium FOR Tax *A BETTER 3.14 DEAL3.77 ON YOUR6.28 1.65 1.98 3.30 PROFESSIONALAdministration Fee LIABILITY 15.50 INSURANCE?15.50 15.50 15.50 15.50 15.50 Total Amount Payable £72.95 £84.06 £128.47 £46.65 £52.48 £75.80

Whatever limit you choose, the public liability element of the cover is always £10,000,000

* Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is at the current rate of 6% (There is no IPT on the Legal Helpline element of the premium)

CONDITIONS You are an individual sole practitioner (or a limited company/partnership where the owner/partner consults, with a turnover of less than £100,000) practising from a UK base and appropriately qualiﬁed to practise (or on an approved training course leading to a recognised relevant qualiﬁcation). You have not had previous insurance declined, not had any liability claims made against you and are not aware of any circumstances which may give rise to a claim against you. In some cases exclusions may apply, please see the full policy wording. Prices correct at time of publication.

Call us Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm to arrange cover or just for some friendly insurance advice. Tel: 0845 371 1433* Email: [email protected] www.howdenpro.com *Calls are charged at your local call rate.

Howden Insurance Brokers Limited, a subsidiary of Howden Broking Group Limited, part of the Hyperion Insurance Group, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority: Firm reference number 312584. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 203500. Registered ofﬁce

16 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1BD, United Kingdom. PICOM09.13

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 585 independent study of children with lesbian mothers, and I volunteered. Little did I know that I would still be researching this issue almost 40 years

CAREERS ‘We need to link our later!’ I asked Susan whether she had ever been concerned about the tension research to the real world’ between her role as a researcher and her personal views. Given what I knew about Ian Florance talks to Susan Golombok her beliefs and attitudes, there must have been a feeling that she wanted to disprove commonly held judgements of lesbian and – later on in her research – other new usan Golombok’s work has out it covered more and very different family structures. Sinfluenced family policy and law in things. I took a four-year degree and I’m ‘There is a tension between political the UK and around the world (see a big supporter of that longer course. It commitment – or any other kind – and also p.538). It has been, and still is, enabled me to study other subjects scientific empiricism. Any researcher controversial. ranging from chemistry and biology to who’s serious about a social science Susan is Professor of Family Research sociology – it wasn’t really psychology subject must think about this, and it has and Director of the Centre for Family that changed my life so much as been a worry for me. That original study Research at the University of Cambridge sociology. A course on inequality opened of lesbian families was a risky endeavour and her new book Modern Families: my eyes to a side of Glasgow that had in terms of how it might impact on real Parents and Children in New Family Forms been invisible to me, as an only child of people. But there were good theoretical is a summary of a life’s work in research as older parents living in an advantaged area reasons for thinking the prevailing view well as, it seems to me, a preparation for of the city and attending a school that was was simply wrong. Those who argued the next stage in her career. We met at the a dead ringer for the school in the film that lesbian families caused damage to Wellcome Trust, which Susan praises for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. At that time children tended to be psychoanalysts, ‘making much of my research possible’. the sociologists at Glasgow were and there was growing opinion that what ‘I grew up in Glasgow and went to undertaking the ground-breaking Bad mattered most for children’s psychological university there,’ she tells me. ‘Like many News project, the first systematic study wellbeing was the quality of family students I thought psychology was all of media bias. In my psychology course, relationships rather than the presence of about mental health, but I quickly found Maternal Deprivation Reassessed by Michael a mother and a father.’ Rutter was the most inspiring From 1977 Susan spent 10 years at book I read. All these things came the Institute of Psychiatry. ‘I carried out together and, I suppose, made me my PhD there and worked in parallel as aware of political issues. I became a research assistant in the sex therapy interested in feminism.’ clinic, which was very new and exciting Susan moved to London to at the time. I loved being at the Institute, take a master’s degree in child but I realised in the end that I couldn’t development. ‘When I was rooting live on “soft” money for ever, jumping around for an interesting topic for from research grant to research grant. my dissertation I came across an Students who want to have academic article in the feminist magazine careers need to think about these sorts Spare Rib describing the of practical issues.’ experiences of lesbian women Susan was offered a lectureship in who were losing custody of their social psychology at City University, children during divorce London, ‘which I knew very little about. proceedings on the grounds that For six months I was reading textbooks, lesbian mother families would be delivering lectures and looking after a six- psychologically harmful to month-old baby. In the end I “came out” children. The article in Spare Rib as a developmental psychologist and was called for someone to carry out an able to return to teaching and researching

Have you taken a look at our relaunched For other Society careers resources, see website, www.thepsychologist.bps.org.uk? www.bps.org.uk/careers.

If you click on the ‘…meets’ tab across the For the latest jobs, visit top, you will find an archive of all our more www.psychapp.co.uk. Society members can

careers online careers personal pieces, including our ‘Careers’ sign up for suitable e-mail and RSS alerts. pages. Alternatively, just search ‘careers’ Recruiters can post online from just £750, with our new and improved site search. The and at no extra cost when placing an ad in archive is now complete – back to 1988. print. For more information, see p.590.

586 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 careers in the field of psychology that interested egg donation. These families combine me most. While at City University I set several new family features as the up the Family and Child Psychology children grow up with two fathers, two Research Centre, where I extended my “mothers” (an egg donor and a surrogate research on new family forms to include mother) and no mother in the family studies of families created by assisted home. We are also studying single reproductive technologies such as in vitro mothers by choice, donor siblings (half- fertilisation (IVF), egg donation, donor siblings born from the same donor who insemination and surrogacy. We carried are growing up in different families) and out the very first studies of these families adolescents born through egg donation, and assisted reproduction remains a donor insemination and surrogacy.’ major part of my research Do you influence programme to this day. policy? ‘Our findings Senior Psychologist The Wellcome Trust have certainly had an & Forensic funded much of this “we should not dodge influence. We engage Psychologists work – they’re very far- moral and ethical issues” with government Midlands - West sighted and could see that departments and Up to £48500/£34,000 these emerging family the Human Fertilisation forms were interesting not and Embryology Authority, just in their own right but also for for instance. Our research findings increasing understanding of what it is contributed to the Human Fertilisation about families that matters most for and Embryology Act 2008, changing the children’s psychological wellbeing.’ emphasis from a child needing a father to Susan’s work has always been needing supportive parents. I hope this controversial. ‘I got used to it though. new book will also influence debate on Criticism of research on modern families issues such as same-sex marriage, is not new. Neither are politically surrogacy, and adoption by gay and Trainee ABA Tutors motivated attempts by right-wing lesbian couples and single people. In the London religious organisations to discredit the book, I make a distinction between new First year training salary academics whose research has shown the families and non-traditional families. The £15,500 children to be no different from children term “new families” refers to family types in traditional families. What is new is the that were either hidden from society and deliberate strategy of conducting sham became visible through the growth of the research that shows children in new women’s and gay rights movements, or family forms to be at risk of psychological did not previously exist and arose from harm and dressing this up as science. the introduction of IVF and other assisted These organisations are setting up and reproductive technologies. These include funding their own spuriously scientific lesbian mother families, gay father studies and claiming that their results families, families headed by single disprove ours. The view that children mothers by choice and families created in modern families would experience by assisted reproductive technologies Forensic or Clinical psychological problems used to be based involving IVF, egg donation, donor Psychologist on prejudice and assumption in the insemination, embryo donation and Various locations absence of research on the actual surrogacy. The term “non-traditional Competitive salary consequences for children of growing up families” generally refers to families in new family forms. Empirical evidence headed by single parents, cohabiting played an important role in countering parents and stepparents. These families false beliefs. Today the challenge is not result largely from parental separation simply to conduct research but also to be or divorce and the formation of new vigilant about the quality of this research cohabiting or marital relationships. New and the motivations and provenance of families represent a more fundamental those who carry it out.’ shift away from traditional family Susan stayed at City University for structures than do non-traditional 19 years ‘working with great people and families formed by relationship Lecturer in Mental doing truly innovative research. The job breakdown.’ Health at Cambridge as Director of the Centre You’ve given some advice to new East Anglia for Family Research came up when I was psychologists and students. Have you any £39,685 to £45,954 per annum starting a sabbatical at Columbia more? ‘Please think about other aspects of University in New York. I almost didn’t the subject than cognitive psychology and apply. It’s amazing to be there now – the neuropsychology. We need to link our Centre for Family Research, which will be research to real-life issues; we should not To check the latest jobs celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, dodge moral and ethical issues. Also, please go to is such a great place to work. And there don’t ignore other disciplines: are so many issues to research – one of psychologists don’t have all the answers www.psychapp.co.uk our latest studies is of gay fathers who and working together produces more have had children through surrogacy and nuanced and interesting results.’

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 587 careers ‘We have seen real improvements’

Sangita Bhandari on her role with a UK education charity working in Nepal

magine your five-year-old child Iwas about to start school and you discovered that their chances of leaving at 16 with the national qualification was only 14 per cent. That is the reality in my country, Nepal. You might think this is because most children drop out before grade 10, or don’t even go to school. Or you might think that Nepal is isolated with no modern educational inputs or financial aid from developed nations. None of these things are true. My own education was different. I was born in the district of Dhading, about 150km west of Kathmandu. I was very fortunate to attend school as a girl, and eventually I studied for a BEd at Neelakantha College and then for an MEd at Kathmandu University, where I graduated in 2012. I also worked as a part-time primary teacher in a number of schools to earn an extra income and to help my parents. My education had taught me to observe the running of schools, the teaching methods, resources used, teacher abilities and motivations, Sangita Bhandari is the Manager of School Development with Nepal Education Leadership and much more. What I saw truly Foundation, the Nepali NGO created by Nepal Schools Aid (UK). E-mail [email protected] shocked me, and it was to get worse. At the end of 2011 I joined the UK We now have six staff and I am the students. We then created a pedagogy charity Nepal Schools Aid manager of all school development work, observation approach that has enabled (www.nepalschoolsaid.org) as an as well as being a part-time student doing me to observe many classroom sessions education consultant running teacher an MPhil at Kathmandu University. My objectively and consistently, the end result training courses in Kathmandu. They research aims to define and measure the being an index of child centredness – our were building a presence in Nepal by expression ‘quality education’ and to ultimate goal in the classroom. We have training Nepalese staff like myself to identify its relationship to pedagogy. This used our scale and observations in order influence change in our education system. concern stems from the 2009 publication to provide in-school training to teachers Two of their trustees are psychologists, of my country’s School Sector Reform in eight schools, and then reassess the and one is a highly experienced ex- Plan 2009–2015 (http://bit.ly/1HAmEW6), teaching. We have seen real teacher. With their guidance we began in which several billion dollars were improvements in the quality of education to realise how much psychology should invested from overseas aid. The plan was and how child-centred it is. have been embedded in our system and to bring about the transformation of our This work is significant for Nepal – used in changing it. education system and to improve the not only in terms of creating a descriptive Over the next three years we built ‘quality of education’. Policies were framework of quality education and how a programme of school development outlined, targets set, yet nowhere was to measure it, but also by showing our and teacher training that so far we have ‘quality education’ defined – even Ministry of Education that there are many applied to almost 200 schools. We Ministry of Education officials couldn’t tools and processes rooted in psychology provide training in pedagogical skills help when asked! Without such a that can help to transform our antiquated containing topics such as child definition we have no sense of direction, education system. Using personal development, approaches to motivation, no ultimate goal and no milestones. And construct theory to devise measurement classroom management, values and worryingly, the pass rate of 14 per cent tools, using child-centred approaches ethics, learning styles, constructivism, I mentioned in my opening paragraph has with their many psychological features, cognitive acceleration, formative actually fallen from 55 per cent since the applying child development stages, assessment… all with sound underlying implementation of the SSRP and the facilitating learning instead of forcing components of psychology, most of which investment of all of those billions! remembering, understanding gender were completely unknown to our primary My research focuses on child needs, differences, and many more aspects of school teachers. We also provide in- education inputs, and desired outcomes. psychology need to be embraced, school coaching to teachers, leadership We then devised a questionnaire to assess explored and applied. I intend to pursue training for principals, child counselling, these dimensions and to create a Quality this beyond my MPhil, into my daily and workshops for the local communities Education Index (QEI) scale akin to a work with 50 schools each year, until our of poor parents. client satisfaction survey from the system changes.

588 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 To check the latest jobs please go to www.psychapp.co.uk

to advertise please contact: Giorgio Romano, 020 7880 7556, [email protected]

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 589 Advertising with The British Psychological Society

Reach 48,000 readers as part of the publication for psychologists - a large, prime, well-qualified audience. Advertising is also now available on the Society’s award-winning Research Digest blog DISPLAY ADVERT APPOINTMENT PUBLISHING DATE DEADLINE SECTION DEADLINE at www.researchdigest.org.uk/blog. There are also other online options, including the ‘featured job’ at www.psychapp.co.uk. Aug 8 Jul 15 Jul 30 Jul Sept 5 Aug 12 Aug 7 Aug All recruiters in the print edition of The Psychologist get their vacancy posted online at www.psychapp.co.uk at no extra cost. Members can Oct 2 Sept 9 Sept 24 Sept then search by job type and geographical area, and then view full APPOINTMENT SECTION details online or via RSS feeds and e-mail alerts. DISPLAY RATE (WITH FREE ONLINE AD)

Job advertising is also available online-only at any time, Full page £1645 £3000 from just £750 Half (horizontal/vertical) £875 £1800 Advertising contact: Quarter (h/v) £545 £1200 Giorgio Romano Senior Sales Executive Eighth (h/v) £325 £650 +44 20 7880 7556 [email protected]

Please contact us for ad sizes, and then send your Outside back cover 40% extra: Inside back cover 25% extra. ad by email to [email protected]

Commissioning Psychological Assessments TUSLA Mid West (Limerick, Clare & North Tipperary) would like to form panels of Clinical/Educational Psychologists to undertake psychological assessments such as: • Parenting capacity assessments To apply, download the relevant tender • Child & Adolescent psychological documentation free of charge from the etenders platform www.etenders.gov.ie assessments The etenders reference number is RFT95530. • Personality and risk assessment of Closing date for etenders will be noon vulnerable adults 31st July 2015 Enquiries to David Toomey, TUSLA Mid West area in association with the HSE Procurement Sourcing & Contracts HSE Procurement are inviting tenders using the Telephone +353 (045981852) etenders platform www.etenders.gov.ie and E Mail/LNYC [email protected] also in the Oﬃ cial Journal of the EU to establish the above panels.

In a recent survey of job advertisers,

Brookdale Care is seeking an Applied 80% said they had received a Psychologist to join the Therapeutic Services Team at our award-winning Milton Park Therapeutic Campus in Wyboston, good response and 70% said they Bedfordshire (nr St Neots) had ﬁ lled a vacancy as a result of Wyboston is situated in the countryside of the Bedfordshire/ For more Cambridgeshire border, with local market towns St Neots information or and Bedford short drives away. Both towns, on the Oxford - to apply please their ad. Cambridge arc, have good transport links to London and the contact Joe North, good schools, and competitively priced housing. or Katie on Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Salary: competitive 01707 385494 to advertise please contact: or via e-mail at Must be qualiﬁ ed to Postgraduate Doctoral level in Clinical recruitment@ Giorgio Romano, / Counselling or Forensic Psychology, HCPC registered and brookdalecare. 020 7880 7556, NES accredited training in Supervision of psychological co.uk [email protected] therapies/clinical psychology trainees

590 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 Clinical Psychologist

Learning The ‘New Lives’ service presents a new and exciting opportunity of services for individuals with ASD and complex support for us to expand and further develop our specialist supported needs, including behaviours that can lead to increased risk of living services for individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder placement breakdown. The team also includes Speech and Disabilities/ (ASD). The new and innovative service in Bolton has been Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and a Board Certifi ed commissioned and designed to ensure that adults with ASD, Behaviour Analyst. ASD who have complex support needs and who have experienced multiple barriers to well-being, have improved opportunities to As a successful candidate you will have a degree in Psychology live full and active lives in their communities. or equivalent, a postgraduate qualifi cation in Clinical Psychology Greater Manchester Region and be able to show evidence of training relating to the (including Bolton & Cheadle) We are now looking for a permanent full/part time HCPC delivery of high quality psychological services to individuals Salary; £41,631 - £44,733 registered Clinical Psychologist to work within this New Lives with learning disabilities and ASD. With knowledge of (Pt. 36-38) service, as well as within other parts of the organisation. current theories and models of practice, you will have a good Although the post is full time, part time hours may be agreed for understanding of the positive support model and ASD to include 24-40 hours per week the right candidate, with the minimum commitment being Asperger’s Syndrome and the delivery of PBS to individuals with 3 days per week, which includes Tuesdays. Learning Disabilities and Autism. The Together Trust provides A signifi cant proportion of the role will be to work This position would suit a Clinical Psychologist with post a range of social care, special collaboratively with the service lead of the ‘New Lives’ service qualifi cation experience in adult learning disability services education, community support and allied health professionals, overseeing the implementation who is looking to progress their career. With the opportunity and consultancy services in and evaluation of Positive Behaviour Support as the for signifi cant experience in service development and a high the North West of England. underpinning framework to service provision. If appointed on level of autonomy, there is scope for the appointed clinician The charity is one of the North a full time contract, additional responsibilities will be agreed to to shape the role and the service provision so that strong West’s largest providers of provide a Clinical Psychology service to children, young people professional relationships with key stakeholders are established residential homes for children and adults as part of the service wide applied psychology and maintained. from short-term emergency provision. care to long-term placements. Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specifi cation when Their fostering service The role will involve signifi cant amounts of systemic working, completing your application form. provides family placements providing team formulation, consultations and supervision, in in the North West and addition to direct assessment and intervention planning. It off ers To apply for this position please go to our website: neighbouring regions. a new and exciting opportunity for the successful applicant to http://www.togethertrust.org.uk/work-with-us play a full and integrated role in the development and delivery or send your CV to: [email protected]

Job Title: Clinical Psychologist: Learning Difficulties/ASC Employer: Together Trust

Together Trust’s website gives a real sense of an organisation committed The other 50 per cent of the role initially involves working in other to helping children, adults and families in the North West. Together Trust services aimed at children and adults with intellectual It’s a charity employing 700 people offering short- and long-term difficulties or autism spectrum difficulties. ‘But we believe the role will residential care, short breaks, and community and fostering services, grow,’ Amanda says. ‘We also expect real growth in the adult community and operates a range of special schools, service in Bolton and other areas an FE college and other special education in the North West.’ centres. ‘There’s a lot of scope for This role will initially work about 50 service development, working per cent of the time in the new Bolton autonomously and also ‘New Lives’ service, which provides collaboration with a wide number integrated, multidisciplinary supported of allied health professionals. So living services to adults with autistic there’s real opportunity for learning spectrum conditions. other professions’ approaches, ‘This is a unique opportunity,’ says offering psychological help and for Amanda Hampson, Head of Service: CPD; we have a number of clinical Personalisation and Community. ‘It’s a psychologists in the team already, post–Winterbourne View service: and CPD is essential to make the genuinely person centred with a team of sorts of changes we want to. Some staff recruited specially to meet the needs previous experience in learning of each individual as they move back into disability services would help. their community, re-establish networks, In addition to assessment and pick up family ties and become true citizens. This role offers a real intervention planning, the role will be responsible for implementing and opportunity to affect this service and the approach of the trust as a whole evaluating positive behaviour support provision.’ as it helps those with autistic conditions, autism and complex behaviours. Amanda concludes that ‘the job is going to require real commitment, The core principle is integration of active support, and there’s now an including some non-social hours working. Really strong values, good organisational training framework within which everyone trains in positive communication and team working skills and resilience in the face of behaviour support and how to approach complex behaviours.’ challenging behaviours are all critical.’

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 591 YOUR SUPPORT WILL TACKLE CHALLENGES.

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

The Ministry of Defence is now off ering rewarding opportunities to gain clinical experience with serving military personnel. Clinical Psychology posts are available within military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) throughout the UK including military commissions with the Royal Army Medical Corps. These posts off er an interesting and varied clinical role within an occupational mental health service. Your time will be distributed between direct clinical To check the latest work, supervision, research & training, both locally and across Defence. Regular contact & support with jobs please go to other MOD Psychologists is encouraged to obviate any professional isolation and CPD is supported. A Doctoral www.psychapp.co.uk research studentship will also be advertised over the coming months. These are military and broader banded civilian, permanent and fi xed-term posts at Principal (C1) and Consultant (B2) level. Counselling Psychologists with a doctoral level qualifi cation are welcome to apply. Civilian posts are currently subject to civil service pay, terms and conditions of employment (starting salary is fi xed at the entry point of the to advertise please contact: relevant pay scale). Giorgio Romano, For all enquiries and applications for: 020 7880 7556, [email protected] • Military posts contact: PQ & Specialist Senior Careers Advisor Email: [email protected] Tel: 07730 464851 • Civilian posts contact: HD Defence Clinical Psychology Service on (01543) 434743 To view civilian jobs as they become available and apply, please visit www.civilianjobs.mod.uk The MOD is an Equal Opportunities employer and seeks to refl ect thediverse community it serves. Applications are welcome from anyone who meets the stated requirements.

A Force for Good. www.civilianjobs.mod.uk

592 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 New Craigs, Leachkin Road, Inverness South & Mid Highland (Inner Moray Firth) Operating Unit Learning Disabilities Clinical Psychologist Band 8b £46625 - £57640 per annum Ref: ES4/15/44 Full-time 37.5 hours per week Assessment Design & We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Clinical Psychologist to undertake work with adults with learning disabilities throughout the North Highland region. Evaluation Manager You will be HCPC registered and have had previous experience of working with adults with learning disabilities. £50,091 - £60,108 • Wakefi eld The post will be integrated into a Learning Disability Service, which currently has three clinical psychologists. You are sure to grow and be challenged - and help There are close professional links with clinical psychology colleagues in Adult Mental others do the same - in this varied and interesting Health, Older Adults, Neuropsychology and Health. Trainees from the Glasgow Doctorate role with The National Offender Management Clinical Psychology Course are based within the Inverness area and complete placements Service. An executive agency of the Ministry across the range of specialities. of Justice, we supervise offenders both within You will be expected to travel effi ciently and effectively between various work locations to meet the operational requirements of the Service. The post includes the option for custody and the community. We work to prevent applying for a lease car. future victims by supporting offenders to break Informal enquiries to Dr Brigid Walker, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Tel: 01463 253697. free from crime. A number of areas within our HR directorate will New Craigs/Aonach Mhor, Inverness look to you for occupational psychology expertise. Rehabilitation Team Your diverse responsibilities will range from Clinical Psychologist Mental Health Band 8a managing the psychology of assessments, through £40,028 - £48,034 per annum Ref ES4/15/45 to managing trainee psychologists. Put simply, Full-time 37.5 hours per week, permanent you’ll be instrumental in making sure we recruit We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Clinical Psychologist to join our recently and develop the right individuals, with the right redesigned rehabilitation service. The post will be based at Aonach Mhor which capabilities to fulfi l our important responsibilities. is a satellite unit of New Craigs Hospital. When it comes to occupational assessment, your You will be HCPC registered and previous experience of working in Mental Health Rehabilitation would be advantageous. insights will inform research, design, implementation, Good links exist with the Psychological Services department at New Craigs for professional quality assurance and evaluation across the Service support. - and potentially the wider Ministry. Working closely Informal enquiries to Alan Gowie. Clinical Area Manager Tel: 01463 729823 or with a host of stakeholders both internal and external, Dr Neil McNamara, Consultant Psychiatrist Tel: 07786190835. you’ll help us continually improve the effectiveness of recruitment and promotion assessment solutions. New Craigs, Inverness From guiding assessment policy and strategy, to Clinical Psychologist Band 8a enabling targets to be met, we will look to you to £40,028 - £48,034 per annum pro-rata Ref: ES1/15/40 keep us operating at the leading edge of thought 30 hours per week, permanent and practice. You’ll also play a key part in analysing We are looking for an enthusiastic HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist to join our performance trends and gaps. Your analysis and evolving Mental Health Service in Highland. ideas will help to us shape a new, integrated The post will be integrated into a local CMHT, with professional links to the Dept of AMH Psychological Services. This presently consists of 7 Clinical Psychologists and 5 CBT model for selection, training and organisational Therapists. development. We have close links with our colleagues in Older Adult, LD, Neuropsychology and Health. A Chartered, HPC registered Chartered We also have trainees from the Glasgow D Clin Psych course on a regular basis covering Occupational Psychologist, you have a proven all placements. track record in behavioural assessment and the Highland is one of the most beautiful areas in Scotland and Inverness a growing city with a developing university. design, delivery and evaluation of assessment You will be expected to travel effi ciently and effectively between various work locations to solutions. We expect you to demonstrate a clear meet the operational requirements of the Service. Own car preferred although there are understanding of psychometric tools as applied opportunities for a lease car. in assessment and development. It is your ability Informal enquiries to Sue Waring, Head of Adult Mental Health Psychological Services, Tel: 01463 704683. to infl uence and persuade at the highest level that really sets you apart. Application Forms and Job Descriptions can be downloaded via our website www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk or available from, and to be returned to the Closing date: 10th July 2015 at 23:59. Employment Services Section, John Dewar Building, Inverness Business & Retail Park, Highlander Way, Inverness IV2 7GE or by emailing your name For more information on this exciting role, visit and address to [email protected] Please quote relevant justice.gov.uk/jobs and search for job reference reference number. number: 0000-105-4. Closing date for receipt of completed application forms: 12 noon on 9 July, 2015. We are committed to Quality care to every person, promoting the benefi ts www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk every day. of a diverse workforce.

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 593 REVIEWS

From the realistic to the idealistic

It’s no secret that our modern Western society has a fascination with general features resulting in a narrow and idealised form. And physical appearance and beauty. From ‘flawless’ models in media their naturalism, while inspiring, was likely to serve to heighten advertising to cosmetic surgery via the popularity of TV makeover the disparity with the actual self and create an unattainable goal for shows, sweeping dieting and fitness fads… the prevalence of narrow the everyman. It appears the Ancient Greeks may have been faced sociocultural ideals for ‘beauty’ and the resulting efforts to with impossible ideals for male beauty not achieve them abound. Team the impossibility of these ideals unlike those faced in today’s society. and the ubiquity of their promotion with the underlying On the other side of the gender divide, message of success and happiness, and we are left with human females in their naturalistic form legions of men and women, boys and girls, feeling envious were clothed, in alignment with the and decidedly less than beautiful. So was it any different presiding view that women should be some two and a half thousand years ago? Based on this hidden from public life, with only exhibition of ancient Greek sculptures and artwork goddesses and mystical beings shown representing the human body at the British Museum, the naked. In contrast to males, the exhibited answer is both yes, and no. females highlight the changes in beauty Walking into the opening room of the exhibition you are ideals from ancient Greek to modern immediately struck by the magnificence and detail of the Western society. The solid bodies of surrounding structures. A naked Aphrodite invites you in Aphrodite and Athena, with curves and and introduces you to her male companions: an athletic rounded bellies, contrast with the bronze statue recently lifted from the ocean near Croatia; currently prevailing thin-ideal; the the powerful ‘discus thrower’ (Discobolus of Myron) depictions of mothers, friends and depicting the balance of opposing forces in the body; the warriors encouragingly emphasising precisely proportioned Doryphoros, constructed according function as well as form. It is good to be to mathematical ratios for the male body; the flowing ‘river Defining Beauty: reminded that expectations of female god’ in reclining form. The exhibition opens with a bang, and The Body in beauty were not always as unattainable a procession through thematically arranged rooms ensues, Ancient Greek Art as they are today. each providing snapshots of ancient Greek culture and The British Interestingly, a series of busts shows civilisation and their visual treatise on human beauty. Museum a later move away from generalised The exhibition showcases the contribution of the Ancient features of beauty towards more Greeks in redefining how the human form was represented representation of diversity and in art, and thus in popular opinion. In contrast to the highly stylised individuality, including and appreciating a variety of ages and facial and stiff depictions common in earlier Egyptian civilisation, where appearances. This is fittingly included alongside a quote from Piny nakedness was associated with shame, the Greeks progressed the Elder (AD 79), ‘to think that among all the thousands of human towards naturalistic and realistic representations of the human body. beings there exist no two faces that are not distinct’. Hear hear! The naked athletic male form was upheld as a symbol of strength ‘Defining beauty’ is an impressive and enjoyable exhibition that and heroism, highly esteemed qualities in the war times of the day. elicits an appreciation for the skill and artistry of the Ancient Greeks, This resulted in myriad depictions of broad-shouldered, narrow- and an admiration for the human body. Nevertheless, the focus on waisted, highly toned and strapping muscular men ‘like gods’, over idealised perfection begs the question: Will there ever be a time which Heracles (Hercules) reigned supreme. where individuality and diversity in appearance are celebrated for However, in depicting beauty and virtue through physical both males and females? strength and perfection, these forms go beyond the realistic to the idealistic, as reflected in a displayed quote from Socrates: ‘in I Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery (Room 30) until 5 July portraying ideal types of beauty…you bring together from many Tickets: £16.50 adults (under-16s free) models the most beautiful features of each’. Not unlike the prolific Reviewed by Dr Melissa Atkinson who is Research Fellow at the digital editing used today to create perfection, ancient artists used Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England

594 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 reviews

Ageing – a complex matter The Aging Mind: An Owner’s Manual Patrick Rabbitt

Ageing is a subject that affects us all, and honesty; however, it information on processing Professor Rabbitt recognises this in the way is not all doom and speed. It was refreshing to read in which he engages with the reader directly. gloom. The hard truths a book with such a vast array of From biological explanations of the senses about ageing are topics reflecting all areas of to social explanations of recognising faces, counterbalanced with human ability. When one thinks each chapter thoroughly discusses the a sense of hope and of a book on ageing, it is usually influence of ageing with the inclusion of encouragement for memory and physical changes supporting evidence and personal how we can age well. that spring to mind, but not so experience. This could be potentially heavy From a more much of other more obscure material, but the danger is cleverly avoided academic point of view, topics, such as how time in a writing style that makes it an easy read. each chapter presents perception changes with age. The text switches from lay descriptions a useful collection of After reading this book, you will to detailed discussions for readers with a well-balanced arguments for a number of gain a full and interesting overview of what more developed understanding of science ageing theories with a vast array of research occurs as we grow older. and psychology. The book can be described evidence included within the text as well as as a narrative story to read from cover to plenty of references. Being a researcher into I Routledge; 2015; Pb £19.99 cover but also as a reference book to dip ageing myself, I find the concepts of ageing Reviewed by Anna Torrens- Burton who is into. The facts are presented with a blunt particularly appealing, especially the a PhD student at Swansea University

Being young never gets old The Good Girl Fiona Neill

Was there a moment in your life and neuroscientists at the end of Harry… it doesn’t help me feel should encourage children to when you felt you had finally the book. ‘He was never happier anything differently and it won’t believe in the possibility of become an adult, when than when talking about his resolve anything.’ renewal, of rebirth. everything made sense? Or are But the science does There’s lots more for you just muddling through the illuminate the book’s psychologists and parents best you can, learning to do a consideration of growing here… a delicious clash of better impersonation of being up, growing old, growing parenting styles that builds a grown-up? Romy, the teenage young, in the modern nicely to a comic confrontation; girl at the heart of this story, world. ‘Age doesn’t exist a touching meditation on how looks to her mum, Ailsa, for anymore’, when your our babies are always there in answers, but she hasn’t got parent’s death can send our mind’s eye, coming to the them. She’s harking back to her you ‘hurtling back through fore in times of crisis (‘she own lost youth, tempted to be time’, when adults can be cooked food that I used to eat more playful, to ‘play truant’ as conscious of what when I was a child’); and plenty from her family… teenagers may others think of them as on addiction and the role of ‘the have ‘Ferrari engines and crap any teenager, and above ever-pervasive male porn brakes’, but ‘adults can be all when grown adults can industry that permeates reckless too’. constantly 'fuck up'. contemporary culture’. And Employing the unusual Perhaps the only spun right through the spiralling device of alternating chapters difference left between plot is the oldest story of all: with Romy’s voice and the third- the teenagers and adults ‘We all have darkness and light person perspective, Fiona Neill’s in the book is that the within us and are in control of novel unfolds as a chain of latter can implode in neither.’ events that denies its own relative safety, stumbling existence – ‘there was no along in marriages that I Michael Joseph; 2015; Hb £14.99 chain of events’, it’s just the are ‘a series of Reviewed by Dr Jon Sutton, comforting narrative we tell atonements’. For who is Managing Editor of The ourselves. Psychological theory teenagers, there’s the Psychologist. At the Latitude and evidence abound – Romy’s work’, Neill writes, and ever-present threat that one Festival in July, Jon will host father, Harry, is a cognitive consequently he does talk about mistake can end up defining a discussion between Fiona neuroscientist bearing more his work rather a lot. I suspect their lives. Neill writes this like Neill and Professor than a passing resemblance to I was not the only reader a love letter to a lost, analogue Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (see Professor Sarah-Jayne cheering when Ailsa’s tolerance age, when teenagers could fuck tinyurl.com/lat15byngo). See Blakemore, who is thanked finally snaps: ‘I’m not interested up in private. Perhaps the main also p.534 for a report of along with other psychologists in your science any more, message is that as parents we Professor Blakemore’s keynote.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 595 reviews

Things that go bump in the mind The Enfield Haunting Sky Living

Sky Living recently aired a three- The phenomena portrayed part drama, The Enfield Haunting, in the programme are not that claimed to portray the real- terribly spectacular by horror life investigation of paranormal film standards but, with some activity at an ordinary semi- artistic licence, are detached council house on a representative of what were suburban street in London. reported by the Enfield The programme features an investigators, Guy Lyon Playfair impressive roll call of A-list and Maurice Grosse, and are small screen actors (though the fairly typical of the hundreds of show is clearly stolen by Eleanor poltergeist cases that have been Worthington-Cox as 11-year-old documented by researchers. Janet Hodgson) and after being Cases often involve knocks and heavily advertised captured raps coming from various impressive viewing figures of surfaces, perhaps in a manner over 750,000 for episode 1. that seems responsive to The case is one of the most requests, and movements of celebrated of its type in the UK small objects (such as marbles (and was apparently the and Lego bricks in the Enfield inspiration for BBC’s Ghostwatch: case) as if being thrown around, chaotic nature of events, and drawn-out final shot shows see tinyurl.com/npqnlwo), in that afterwards can seem hot to the phenomena are typically Janet leaking a subtle, knowing part because it was subjected to the touch. Trajectories of those interpreted by witnesses as due smile), when some of the onsite investigation for much of objects can be weird, avoiding to some mischievous external – phenomena shown in the the 18 months between 1977 obstacles in their path or perhaps disembodied – agent. episodes are clearly beyond her and 1979 during which unusual travelling slower or faster than However, researchers instead capabilities. Similarly, in real- happenings were witnessed (and expected. Cases can involve look to the living for the cause. world investigations, such as the some recorded). Strictly more substantial physical Poltergeist activity might be Miami and Rosenheim cases, speaking, the case is not a effects that seem more difficult concentrated on a focal person, conventional explanations can haunting but a poltergeist case: to produce by sleight of hand. occurring only when they are seem a good fit for some the former tends to involve For example, a police officer present, and stereotypically this features but have to be apparitional experiences who was called to the Enfield is a pubescent girl (over 60 per stretched to breaking point to associated with a particular house reported seeing a chair cent of focal persons are female account for others. This might location over an extended period shake then lift off the floor and and their median age is 13); in reflect limitations of collecting of time, perhaps hundreds of slide about four feet when no the Enfield case 11-year-old data through field investigations years, whereas the latter tends one was near, and other heavier Janet Hodgson was at the where even the most scrupulous to involve more physical objects such as chests of epicentre. It would be easy, and systematic of observations phenomena that occur over drawers and an iron fireplace therefore, to dismiss the still allow for a whole a shorter more intense period were moved. phenomena as a result of fraud agglomeration of potentially of weeks or months and are The term 'poltergeist' is perpetrated by an intelligent but causal factors to go unnoticed, associated with a person or generally translated as ‘a noisy, bored young girl who saw an preventing us from working out group of people rather than racketing type of demon’ opportunity for a bit of attention; what happened. Of course an a location. reflecting the raucous and indeed, Janet was caught explanation in terms of fraud cheating on a number of and error is much more occasions, and interview footage plausible than any alternative Sample titles just in: with the girls that includes the but it does tend to lead to School Shooters Peter Langham channelled gruff speech of one rather glib, superficial (and

just in just Eye Tracking Kenneth Holmqvist et al. of those discarnate entities uncritical) application of Self and Meaning in the Lives of Older People Peter G. could be attributable to a kind explanations to the facts Coleman, Christine Ivani-Chalian & Maureen Robinson of ventriloquism. Certainly, (e.g. tinyurl.com/oyfvsnk). The Moral Brain: A Multidisciplinary Perspective Jean Decety & conventional explanations In the end we are left with Thalia Wheatley (Eds.) emphasise the fallibilities testimonials that boggle the Forensic Facial Identification Tim Valentine & Josh Davis (Eds.) of eyewitness testimony and mind and make for a good story, The Feeling Brain: The Biology and Psychology of Emotions memory, along with our but don't give us much insight Elizabeth Johnston & Leah Olson tendency to underestimate into the phenomena. the capacity of others to For a full list of books available for review and information on deceive us. I Reviewed by Professor Chris reviewing for The Psychologist, see www.bps.org.uk/books But the case, and its A. Roe who is Director of the portrayal in this programme, Centre for the Study of Send books for potential review to The Psychologist, is characteristically ambivalent Anomalous Psychological 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR in implying that Janet was Processes at the University of responsible for everything (a Northampton

596 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 reviews

Challenging pre-existing ideas Female Aggression Helen Gavin & Theresa Porter

The book is co-authored by psychologists reader to present it in a relatively informal style that from the UK and the USA, drawing upon challenge pre- makes it accessible to a wider audience than global examples of female violence and existing ideas some other academic texts. aggression. The authors convey an about the topic. From a personal perspective, I found the uncompromising view of female aggression, The book is book to be a very interesting read and useful which challenges the traditional feminist a comprehensive resource for my clinical practice, particularly narratives that underpin both the public and, review of a broad in relation to intimate partner violence and too often, the professional understanding of range of filicide. I have found the dominant narratives this topic. The evidence for their position is aggressive acts around female aggression to be worryingly articulately presented and key points are that are committed by women. It begins lacking, and it is encouraging that there is illustrated with case material that maintains with a theoretical review of the literature, an increasing focus on developing a more the readers interest. Although comparisons building upon this with a developmental comprehensive multitheoretical perspective are made to male violence, the authors perspective on the function of aggression that will ultimately lead to more effective maintain their position that female for women. Each subsequent chapter takes interventions to address this issue. aggression requires consideration in its own a particular topic in turn, including sexual right, not merely as an adjunct to theories of violence, infanticide and homicide. The I Wiley-Blackwell; 2015; Pb £34.99 male violence. It is this stance that is the narrative is engaging and thought-provoking Reviewed by Dr Kerry Beckley who is a real strength of the book and requires the as the authors draw upon the evidence but Consultant Clinical Forensic Psychologist

A beautifully made short film Joe’s Story Russell Hurn (Director)

This film, involving CHUMS Emotional Wellbeing Service and Luton and Bedfordshire CAMHS in collaboration with the Big Spirit Youth Theatre Company, was previewed at Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin, at the end of May. Joe, like most teenage boys, doesn’t appreciate having to get out of bed in the morning. But it’s much worse than that – he has lost interest in everything, cannot see the point in anything, but can’t tell anyone, because this would be an embarrassing sign of weakness, especially for a boy… In a pivotal scene of this beautifully made short film, Joe sits slumped on the floor of the school corridor. Will he take up his sympathetic teacher’s offer of a private chat about what’s wrong? His alter ego floats from his body and does indeed take the decision to knock on the teacher’s door in search of a solution to get back on track. But in a cleverly understated shot of Joe remaining unmoving, we can imagine the more unhappy alternative routes that he might have taken at that point. We were treated to the outtakes at the end of the film, which revealed the verve and perseverance with which these youngsters approached the process. To see this group of young service users grow in confidence, learning skills, making friends, and communicating their crucial message about how to access routes back to being able to involved were asked about their hopes for the film. They believe ‘have a laugh with your mates on the school bus’ captured perfectly they’ve made something that breaks the mould of the patronising the objectives of the Service User Participation pillar of the CYP- information videos usually shown in PCHSE at school. And more IAPT (Children and Young People’s Improving Access to importantly they hope it will spark useful conversations about Psychological Therapies ) programme. mental health, to remove the stigma around it, and enable all Young people who have used CAMHS services, and young actors those other Joes and Josephines to access the most appropriate from the Big Spirit Youth Theatre, developed and acted in this film help in a timely way. I think it surely will – and more than this too. after a series of workshops and focus groups, facilitated by a It demonstrates the powerful effect that working in a group on psychologist and a systemic therapist who work in local Tier 2 and 3 a shared project can have on all involved. mental health services. They plan to screen it in local schools across Bedfordshire in the near future. I Reviewed by Jenny Doe who is a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS At a question-and-answer session afterwards, the young people in Luton

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 597 reviews

A failure of parenting or… Born Naughty? Channel 4

Episode 1 of Born Naughty?, aired on 14 May, and speech and language therapist. followed two children, nine-year-old Honey This is important as some parents and six-year-old Theo, both of whom were are often misguided and believe that exhibiting undesirable behaviour. The show with one visit from one professional began with clips of the children in their they are able to get a diagnosis immediately. strategy, can be altered, as we see Theo’s home environment and also included Whilst there was a clear medical theme and Honey’s behaviour improve over time. comments from family members about the throughout, it did bring to the forefront the A behavioural approach was implemented impact of the children’s behaviour on the dilemma regarding advantages and with Theo through the use of rewards and dynamics within their respective disadvantages of diagnoses and labelling. sanctions to instil a rigid bedtime routine. households. A GP and paediatrician were Both sets of parents had a clear rationale A more therapeutic approach was used with frequently called upon to provide a medical for wanting a diagnosis; they had been Honey as she was taken to an animal perspective on what they had witnessed. battling with the behaviours seen on screen therapy centre to calm her anxieties and Concerns were expressed by Theo’s mother for years, and their parenting had been was also given regular play therapy about his behaviour, and she shared her brought into question. In both cases, a sessions, which the viewers were told had beliefs that he may have attention deficit diagnosis was seen as an explanation for a positive impact on her behaviour. hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This episode why their children were behaving so From a trainee educational followed the mother’s quest to gain a formal differently from their peers. Arguably, the psychologist’s perspective, it was great diagnosis. Similarly, Honey had also been label brought no benefits to the children, to see that Honey went from being displaying unacceptable behaviour to the other than their parents becoming more permanently excluded to gaining a extent that she had been permanently self-assured and reinvigorated in their placement at a specialist school where, excluded from school. Her parents believed parenting. It would have been hugely according to her mother, her needs would that Honey may be on the autistic spectrum. insightful to hear more from the children be catered for much better than in the In timely places, the conditions were and gain their perceptions on the situation. mainstream system. Again, one could clearly explained with language that was Born Naughty? may be of interest to engage in a debate over whether a diagnosis accessible to the public and free from parents who share concerns over their was necessary for these steps to be taken; technical jargon. Another positive was that children’s behaviour and professionals who nevertheless, it was an engaging show that the programme showed a number of work with children who have behavioural provided some relaxing midweek viewing. professionals being involved in the decision- needs. I think the viewing could give some making process regarding a diagnosis, as parents who are feeling defeated hope that I Reviewed by Kavita Solder who is a trainee there was involvement from a psychologist behaviours are not fixed but instead, with educational psychologist at Exeter University

Enjoyable bedtime read Two to tango When We Were Sisters Twins Talk: What Twins Tell Us about Person, Self, and Beth Miller Society Dona Lee Davis This heartfelt debut novel addresses the complexities of families, friendships, religion and divorce. In contrast to the majority of twin studies in psychology, Twins Talk provides Childhood best friends Miffy and Laura are forced to a fresh and much-needed voice to the subjects of countless studies. meet again, two decades after their parent's have an affair, Anthropologist Dona Lee Davis, a twin herself, provides an ethnographic and so uncovering the past and the pain. study of twins who participate in major twin festivals in the United States. The story follows the path of the two women from While these festivals provide researchers with an invaluable ‘database’ Laura’s present-day perspective and Miffy’s childhood diary to study the heritability of various psychological traits and medical from the 1970s. Pieces of the past are slowly revealed conditions, Davis critiques Western assumptions made by lay persons during the book, fitting together effortlessly and convincing and researchers regarding self, personhood and identity. She challenges the reader to not put the book down. reductionist views of researchers who see twins either through the lens The engaging and down-to-earth characters are well of their genes and particular body parts or as a series of testable developed, allowing the reader to experience the turmoil, independent and dependent variables. anger and sadness of divorce and the effect this has on the Through interviews, she elicits responses from pairs of twins on how family. Despite the difficulties, there are several laugh-out- they navigate their twinscape that includes their experience of body and loud moments at all-too-familiar teenage dramas. the bond between the dyad. She also analyses how cultures view twinship Glimpses of the author’s background in psychology can and how twins construct and co-construct their lives. By evoking the be seen, providing more of an insight into the long-term concept of ‘twindividual,’ Davis questions traditional Western dichotomies psychological effects of childhood difficulties. between self and other, nature and nurture, and so on. Recommended for a fast-paced, light and enjoyable While this book broadens the scope of twin studies with a unique bedtime read. perspective, it is quite repetitive. As the same arguments are reiterated more than a few times, the steam in them fizzles out. I Ebury Press; 2014; Pb £7.99 Reviewed by Elise Marriott who is an Assistant I Ohio University Press; 2014; Pb US$26.36 Psychologist with the Community Assessment and Treatment Reviewed by Aruna Sankaranarayanan who is Director of PRAYATNA, Service, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust a centre for children with learning difficulties in India

598 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 reviews

Accessible and thoughtful Understanding School Bullying: Its Nature and Prevention Strategies Peter K. Smith

Written by one of the leading covers core issues such as the international researchers in this history of the topic, definitions of area, this relatively compact key terminology, and a summary book is a useful and interesting of the main research methods text. Though primarily written used in this area. It also for bullying researchers, I think includes up-to-date summaries that anyone from mid- of the academic literature undergraduate level upwards relating to diverse topics such could understand as cyberbullying, and enjoy it. discriminatory Professor Smith bullying, predictors draws his readers of involvement, into the topic early and the effects of in the book by bullying. It’s topped giving an account off by detailing of his own coping and personal intervention Curiously uplifting experiences as strategies. both aggressor Written in a style Every Brilliant Thing and victim. These that is ‘academic’ in The Dukes, Lancaster are complemented as far as it makes by vivid and engaging examples extensive use of published A visit to the Dukes theatre in Lancaster to see this one-man play of individuals’ personal research, Professor Smith also proved to be an unusual and unexpectedly cheerful ‘busman’s experiences of bullying; again, takes the time to draw clear holiday’ for a psychologist, dealing as it did with depression and not just from those who conclusions and to add personal suicide as its central topics. The actor had an inventive way of telling experience bullying, but those thoughts on the progress of the the story of his mother’s first suicide attempt when he was six years who use bullying behaviours too. field and its future. I found these old, which prompted him to start writing a list of ‘every brilliant The human consequences of particularly interesting because thing’ that he experienced in his world, to give her reasons to be these dysfunctional they are the kinds of broad happy and to want to live (e.g. ‘ice-cream, me’). relationships are all too commentaries that research The list continued into his thirties and reached one million (and apparent. articles seldom have the scope counting), taking on a life of its own and eventually for the simple This text’s breadth of to make and because of purpose of simply noticing ‘every brilliant thing’. His understanding coverage means that it provides Professor Smith’s knowledge of was that ‘you have to believe in a future that’s better than your past a fantastic introduction to the the area. The book is accessible in order to be able to live in the present – that’s what hope is all area of study for anyone who is and thoughtful, and sparked about’. new to it. However, such is fresh ideas for me. He involved the audience from the start, easier to do as the play Professor Smith’s knowledge of was ‘in the round’, giving people large pieces of paper to read out this topic that it also contains I Sage; 2014; Pb £22.99 ‘a brilliant thing’ when he called a certain number. Mine was 1155 information that more seasoned Reviewed by Dr Simon C. ‘Christopher Walken’s hair’. He also chose audience members to campaigners will value too: Hunter who is a Senior Lecturer participate in moving and funny vignettes about conversations with I certainly learnt one or two in the School of Psychological his father, girlfriend and school teacher at important times in his life things despite studying this area Sciences and Health, University – his mother’s suicide attempt (dad), meeting his significant other for almost 20 years! The book of Strathclyde (girlfriend) and being supported as a child by his teacher (and a sock puppet) at times of feeling emotionally lost. It was a curiously uplifting show, and he invited the audience to sift through the box left centre stage of some of his ‘brilliant things’. In the end, whether the list saved his mother, who suffered bipolar illness, was perhaps not the point, but instead a reminder that at any given moment, we can notice a ‘brilliant thing’ that inspires or amuses or sustains us. As I left the theatre area, I glanced at the box of lists and noticed one that read ‘here and now’ and later in the café, I decided to notice that the chocolate brownie was indeed ‘a brilliant thing. I’d recommend this play which is on tour for anyone willing to engage in this experience.

I Touring production, see www.pentabus.co.uk/every-brilliant-thing and www.painesplough.com/current-programme/by-date/every-brilliant- thing for details Reviewed by Marie Stewart who is Principal Clinical Psychologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 599 Dr Freud, I’d like to give the reader some idea of how we have come to know about the concepts of What passes between transference and countertransference. Can you talk us through their discovery? client and therapist? Freud: Well, it was actually my colleague, Joseph Breuer, who first documented the Stephanie M. Cobb imagines three perspectives on transference and transference phenomenon, although he did LOOKING BACK LOOKING countertransference not name it, in his work with Anna O. She developed intense erotic feelings for him in the later stages of her analysis, and I believe he was rather troubled by them. We were working together on trying to uncover ransference has been defined as ‘the had they ever met. I therefore invite you unconscious material from the patient’s past client’s experience of the therapist to suspend academic expectations for just through hypnosis, but we often encountered Tthat is shaped by his or her own enough time to enjoy the imagined resistance from those who were fearful of psychological structures and past’, often presentation that follows. revealing shameful memories. We discovered involving ‘displacement onto the that such patients were inclined to therapist, of feelings, attitudes and subconsciously transfer their shameful behaviours belonging rightfully to earlier Sigmund Freud phantasies onto the analyst. I first used the significant relationships’ (Gelso & Hayes, Sigmund Freud was born in 1854 in what term transference in my Studies on Hysteria 1998, p.11). Countertransference is now the Czech Republic. Educated in from 1895. describes the therapist’s reaction to the Vienna, he practised medicine until the client in terms of both feelings and late 1880s, before turning his attention to Did you realise the significance of your behaviour. Originating in the studying the psychological origins of discovery immediately? psychoanalytic tradition, transference nervous disorders. ‘As an explorer, he was Freud: Actually, at first we all found it and countertransference were once first in his field’ (Lomas, 1973, p.37). rather a nuisance! Having the client’s past seen as fundamental to relationships transferred onto oneself was successful outcomes in a serious obstacle to effective psychoanalysis, J

psychotherapeutic OSEPH and we tried our hardest to avoid it. But as treatment. However, over time went on, I found that helping patients

time, the emphasis has L relive past conflicts in the present could gradually shifted toward ONG become vital to the effectiveness of the / the ‘real’ relationship HTTP treatment (Malan, 2004).

between client and :// therapist and some THE Can you explain a little more about - psychologists have even ROOK how transference works?

questioned whether the . Freud: In my view, it is unsatisfied or concept of transference COM repressed wishes and experiences from the exists at all. patient’s past, usually from childhood, that Nevertheless, during become transferred onto the person of the the first year of clinical therapist, revealing the source of their training, my cohort were neurosis. For example, they may at times invited to consider how the see the analyst as a punitive father and at transference phenomenon other times as a seductive lover. If handled has developed and changed correctly, the transference allows patients to over time. I began to think re-experience childhood conflicts in the safety about how important of the consulting room. With the help of the historical figures in analyst’s interpretations, these past conflicts psychology might have can be worked through to a satisfactory talked about these ideas, conclusion. Countertransference arises from

Allen, J.G., Fonagy, P. & Bateman, A. behaviour therapy to psychotherapy Psychology: An International Quarterly, Nielsen, A. (1980). Gestalt and (2008). Mentalizing in clinical practice. integration. New York: Springer. 3, 85–96. psychoanalytic therapies: Structural Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Grant, J. & Crawley, J. (2002). Jacoby, M. (1984). The analytic encounter: analysis and rapprochement. Publishing. Transference and Projection. Transference and the human American Journal of Psychotherapy,

references Beck, A.T. (1991). Cognitive behaviour Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education. relationship. Toronto: Inner City 34(4), 534–544. therapy: A 30 year retrospective, Jacobs, M. (2010). Psychodynamic Books. Nye, R.D. (2000). Three psychologies: American Psychologist, 46, 368–375. counselling in action (4th edn). Lomas, P. (1973). True and false Perspectives from Freud, Skinner and Gelso, C.J. & Hayes, J.A. (1998). The London: Sage. experience. London: Penguin. Rogers (6th edn). London: Wadsworth. psychotherapy relationship. New York: Jacobson, N.S. (1989). The therapist- Malan, D.H. (2004). Individual Rudd, M.D. & Joiner, T. (1997). Wiley. client relationship in cognitive psychotherapy and the science of ‘Countertransference and the Goldfried, M.R. (1995). From cognitive- behaviour therapy. Journal of Cognitive psychodynamics. London: Arnold. therapeutic relationship: A cognitive

600 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 looking back unresolved conflicts in the analyst’s past extending it to increase our understanding of (Heimann, 1950, as cited in Sandler, 1976). and must be guarded against at all costs. the workings of the human psyche. However, Responding emotionally to patients is highly I did conflict with his daughter, Anna, in the In the classical Freudian view, detrimental to the analytical process. In order 1940s on the thorny issue of transference. psychosexual conflicts experienced in to give rational the formative years are re-experienced as interpretations whilst being a result of an unconscious wish to gratify J confronted with such strong OSEPH childhood desires. In the Kleinien emotions as love and hate, tradition of object relations, early one must maintain a L significant relationships are repeated in professional distance at all ONG therapy, and feelings, emotions and / times (Nye, 2000). HTTP behaviours associated with those

Some of my colleagues :// relationships are re-experienced in in the psychoanalytic school THE relation to the therapist. - have subsequently challenged ROOK

my view of the therapeutic . relationship. Carl Jung, for COM Carl Rogers example, sees the From the existential, phenomenological countertransference as quite approach, Carol Rogers drew his person natural and believes that the centred, non-directive approach. The analyst should be at liberty to founder of humanistic psychology gives share his thoughts and us another lens through which we can feelings with the patient. For view these concepts. Jung, the transference should be lived through without the Mr Rogers, would you share with us need for interpretation and a little about your style of working? the countertransference is Rogers: Certainly. In person-centred work, simply an inevitable we try to understand the client’s problems just interaction with it. He as he sees them himself. We don’t formulate published numerous papers in clients into diagnostic categories. The client the decades following my death suggesting Can you tell us about your view? is encouraged to believe in his ability to solve countertransference can be a useful device in Klein: I believe that infants are capable his own problems by providing an atmosphere uncovering unconscious dynamics within the of forming basic object relations from the of mutual respect. Gradually a situation patient (Jacoby, 1984). moment they are born. Experiences of social develops in which the client can risk interaction from earliest infancy form the revealing more and more about himself, basis of the internal world of object relations. knowing that the therapist will respond Melanie Klein This in turn shapes the person’s interaction calmly and continue to respect him at all Melanie Klein’s work, in the field of with the outside world throughout their life. times (Lomas, 1973). object relations, represents a unique Object relations theorists, such as Winnicott, departure from the ideas of Freud. She Fairburn and I, prioritise relationships as the Can you tell us your view of made a major contribution to our fundamental tenets of psychological transference Dr Rogers? understanding of the internal worlds of functioning rather than the instinctual drives Rogers: Of course, clients will always both children and adults. A controversial that Dr Freud identified. The transference experience some positive and negative feelings figure, who analysed her own children, relationship with the analyst therefore, during therapy sessions. Certainly a she had a profound influence on provides an indispensable insight into the proportion of these emotional reactions will psychodynamic theory and practice. internal world of the patient and brings past be based on past experiences but I don’t relationships to life in the consulting room, believe it is necessary to pay those feelings Mrs Klein, your ideas in particular even when the analysand is still a child. any special attention (Nye, 2000). have been seen as a direct challenge ‘Transference phenomena occur in every to those of Dr Freud. How would you Do you agree with Dr Freud that human relationship’ (Jacobs, 2010). In fact respond to that? countertransference should be they are so much a part of everyday life that Klein: I really never saw myself as opposing avoided? we no longer need elaborate manipulations to Dr Freud’s work, simply developing and Klein: On the contrary. The emotional bring them out (Lomas, 1973). There is no reactions experienced by the analyst are need for the therapist to make interpretations absolutely crucial to understanding how the because if he is genuine, accepting and patient relates to others. Countertransference empathic, the meanings of these feelings will allows the analyst to enter the patient’s world nonetheless become clear to the client. What perspective. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International and bring the transference into consciousness is more, to describe the therapist’s reaction to Quarterly, 11, 231–250. through interpretation (Grant & Cawley, the patient as countertransference is Sandler, J.J. (1976). 2002). Paula Heimann was the first to ‘unsatisfactory’ to say the least (Malan, 2004, Countertransference and role- explicitly state the value of p.131). These reactions may be entirely responsiveness. International Review countertransference and did much to alter natural and not transferred from anyone else. of Psychoanalysis, 3, 43–47 the general view of it. She asserts that ‘the analyst’s unconscious understands that of the patient. This rapport on a deep level comes to Contemporary forms of the surface in the form of feelings which the psychotherapy analyst notices in response to the patient’ There are several contemporary forms of

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 601 looking back

psychotherapy, which are supported by a Freud: Even though CBT concentrates base from which the client can safely explore substantial evidence base, where concepts mainly on the client’s relationships outside painful aspects of their past and present comparable to transference have recently the therapeutic situation, the therapist can (Allen et al., 2008). been identified. Cognitive behavioural still use the transference to observe how the therapy (CBT), for example, has become client relates in the microcosm of the When transference occurs in MBT, the a powerful player since its emergence in consulting room. He can then make interpretation takes the form of active the 1970s. Originally aimed at alleviating inferences about the client’s problems out mentalising of the relationship between anxiety and depression, CBT client and therapist, carefully centres on how thoughts linking behaviour to a hypothetical J

influence feelings and behaviours OSEPH model of the patient’s mind. With and how modifying core beliefs clients having limited mentalisation

can lead to behavioural change L capacities, transference work (Beck, 1991). CBT has been ONG concentrates on the here-and-now / criticised for its ‘mechanistic’ HTTP relationship of the consulting room.

and ‘technical’ view and for not :// However, as this capacity increases, making use of the therapeutic THE interpretation of the current - relationships (Jacobson, 1989). ROOK relationship moves into the context

However, very recently . of understanding past relationships. transference-like phenomena have COM Mentalising the transference in this been identified in CBT work with way shows the client how the same clients with complex problems, behaviour can be interpreted in such as personality disorder, different ways by different minds where the therapeutic relationship (Allen et al., 2008). takes a much more central role (Grant & Crawley, 2002). Freud: It seems to me that the MBT approach has further developed Freud: Ah yes, I have heard about psychoanalytic ideas about these developments. CBT and understanding the past through the psychodynamic therapies have therapeutic relationship. arisen from opposing philosophies, but in the 1990s the two traditions Klein: Gestalt therapy and came much closer together when psychoanalysis also agree on several cognitive therapists began to accept the in the world. This is particularly helpful fundamental issues. Both place emphasis on existence of unconscious cognitive processes. when working with patients living with conscious and unconscious conflict and past Schemas, for example, are unconscious personality disorder, who are acutely sensitive traumatic experience, they share the concept ‘cognitive representations of one’s past to the therapist response (Grant & Crawley, of internalised objects and identify defensive experiences with situations or people’ which 2002). I hope that future cognitive therapies processes that distort reality (Nielsen, 1980). help us understand future events (Goldfried, will develop these ideas to make even more 1995, p.55). The client may form a ‘person use of the multitude of resources available Rogers: But gestalt therapy concentrates on schema’ of the therapist through the therapeutic the here and now and de-emphasises the which is influenced by relationship. transference. When transference does arise, schemas from previous “enhanced mentalising Gestalt therapists use what they call ‘empty situations. For example, Mentalisation based chair’ dialogues to avoid transferring past if the client perceives the increases capacity to deal therapy (MBT) is just relationships onto the therapist. The client relationship as one of with adversity” such a cognitive enacts both roles so that unresolved feelings authority and dominance, therapy, in which the from the past are transferred onto an internal then a schema of the parent therapeutic relationship object rather than onto the therapist or teacher may be evoked. These schemas assumes paramount importance and (Nielsen, 1980). are connected to another concept known as transference work is central to affecting a script. Scripts are schemas that affect change (Allen, et al., 2008). The terms transference and habitual behavioural sequences. These can countertransference are constructs be activated in therapy when the client’s Klein: As I understand it, mentalising employed by the psychodynamic tradition behaviour elicits similar responses from the represents an awareness of the mental states of psychology to describe a particular therapist as he would experience in other of oneself and others and having the ability to aspect of the therapeutic relationship. relationships in his life. Working with the interpret these mental states. For most people Even though some other schools, such as transference can help uncover dysfunctional this is very much a part of everyday life, but CBT, may not employ these particular schemas and scripts (Grant & Crawley, for some, especially those who have suffered terms, it has been suggested that 2002). early trauma, it is extremely difficult and analogous concepts do exist. As William confusing. While impaired mentalising Shakespeare famously wrote, ‘That which Rogers: To me, introducing the notions of impacts negatively on clients’ daily lives, we call a rose, by any other name would transference and countertransference in enhanced mentalising increases capacity to smell as sweet’. cognitive therapies serves only to re-mystify deal with adversity, such as psychiatric the therapeutic process (Rudd & Joiner, problems. A secure attachment relationship I Stephanie M. Cobb is a Clinical Psychologist 1997). I would always concentrate on the provides an optimal environment in which at South London & Maudsley NHS ‘real’ relationship between client and mentalising ability can develop, and in MBT Foundation Trust therapist. it is the therapist’s job to provide a secure [email protected]

602 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 15th and 16th September 2015 at University of LONDON Professor MARSHA LINEHAN

Professor Linehan from the University of Date: 15th & 16th Sept Washington makes a rare appearance in the 2015 UK to present a 2-day workshop on emotion regulation. The event will include an overview Venue: Brunei Gallery, of the new emotion regulation skills plus SOAS, information on how to integrate these skills into Russell Square, clinical practice. London WC1H 0XG In the last 15 years DBT has been one of the fastest Fee: growing therapies in the UK, helping clients in the Early bird £350 most intolerable emotional pain to move towards (until 1st August ) a life worth living. DBT skills are now widely taught Late bookings in standard and acute care mental health settings £400 (after 1st across the NHS, private and voluntary sectors. This August) is a unique opportunity to be taught by the treatment Booking closes: developer herself, in the year of publication of her 1st September new skills training manual. 2015

To book: visit www.sfdbt.org

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 603 Depression is a slow career to ask good questions moving public health tsunami and then use the right … with Willem Kuyken that affects us all. Most of us methodology, even though have had direct experience of this meant leaving the safety of depression or know someone the shoreline.’ I intend, as best ‘Don’t hug the who has suffered from it. The I can, to follow this advice at

ONE ON devastating costs of depression my new job at the University include mental pain, disability- of Oxford. We are looking at intellectual shoreline’ adjusted life years, reduced life the potential of mindfulness expectancy due to associated to prevent depression in early physical health problems, adolescence (research), suicide and direct and indirect considering how best to scale societal costs. up the demand for MBCT by There are psychological training enough mindfulness One moment that changed investment in cardiac research, treatments, such as cognitive teachers (training) and the course of your career treatment and care made in behavioural therapy (CBT), working with policy makers to John Teasdale, a gifted clinical the last 50 years no doubt that work. However, despite consider its potential in health, academic, invited me to have helped save his life and that Herculean efforts to widen education and criminal justice a chat with him when I was of countless others. Without access to these treatments, (impact). a young postdoc attending the that investment, though, my availability remains limited. ‘East Meets West’ conference friend’s access to treatment We urgently need to progress One hope at Dartington Hall in Devon. would have been far more our psychological Just as my friend accessed life I had been learning to limited and probably would understanding of recurrent saving cardiac care, my hope is meditate for a few years and have had a less positive depression, enhance the that in the next 50 years found it enormously helpful outcome. effectiveness of our in all sorts of ways, not least Now let’s apply this treatments and make in working with my own scenario to mental health treatments accessible. mind, which like all minds problems like depression, Stigma needs to be creates both joy and suffering. where only a small proportion examined as a matter That encounter and of people who could benefit of priority. conference were pivotal for from treatments can access me because it was a them. Although mental ill One thing I have confluence of several personal health represents about 38 per learned and professional tributaries – cent of ill health, most It takes a village. my mindfulness practice, my countries spend no more than I have been lucky basic and applied psychology 13 per cent of their healthcare to have had brilliant interests and my commitment budget on it. Richard Layard mentors and to have to working on depression. and David Clark estimate developed some mental health problems cost amazingly rewarding One challenge that the UK 7 per cent of its collaborations. psychology can address national income through its The Psychology Last year, a friend of mine had effects on employment, co- Department at Exeter Most countries spend no more than 13 a heart attack. He had timely morbidity, mental health care was my professional per cent of their healthcare budget on surgery, great rehab, started and social impact. home for 15 mental ill health exercising and made a good Stigma still surrounds wonderful years, recovery. The massive national depression, despite the where an evolving group of mental health care is available honesty and bravery of people us co-created a vision around to people who need it. Can we like Ruby Wax, Marcus mood disorders, a research make a spectrum of low-key Willem Kuyken Trescothick and Kjell-Magne programme across the yet highly intensive evidence- is Professor of Clinical Bondevik who speak openly translational arc, a suite of based treatments available to Psychology at the about their mental health training programmes and the those who need them? Can we University of Oxford problems. Sadly, stigma is yet NHS AccEPT research clinic. consider the whole lifespan, willem.kuyken@psych. another barrier that stops I learned so much from my including inter-generational ox.ac.uk people from accessing colleagues, from what went risk and resilience? Can we treatment. well and from my mistakes. broaden our focus to key A supportive culture in which contexts beyond the to work, develop through trial individual, to families, schools, and error and to be mentored workplaces and prisons? A special issue on qualitative methods, and much more... and mentor is not just nice, Finally, can we get to a place I Contribute: reach 50,000 colleagues, with something to suit all. See but essential. where it is as normal to say www.thepsychologist.org.uk/contribute or talk to the editor, Dr Jon ‘I manage my depression Sutton, on [email protected], +44 116 252 9573 One nugget of advice with mindfulness and CBT Another psychologist once strategies’ as it is to say, ‘I coming soon coming I Comment: email the editor, the Leicester office, or tweet @psychmag. I To advertise: Reach a large and professional audience at bargain said to me, ‘Don’t hug the manage my coronary heart rates: see details on inside front cover. intellectual shoreline. I wish disease with exercise, diet and I had had the courage in my aspirin?’

604 vol 28 no 7 july 2015 1*'( %!'

!'%"('"%, "(%& & ! !'!&). )!3& '%!! "(%& ) "# ! '(' , %' '%#&'& ! & ( '&# !%, ! !'(%0 & "(%& !'%"(& ,"( '" "!') )"(% %#, *'! "!'+' " "'% '%#(' '"& (&! * %! " %!! '!$(&0 (% & '" #%") ,"( *' ' &' #"&& &'!% " '%!! ! ! ,"( '" ' (& " ,"(% %!!0 "( * ) '& "(%& *' &" %"(!! ! '' ,"( ! #(' !'" #%' &'%' *,0

'!( ,""- ""% ,-

"(%&")%&/ • ('(#&-"!""#. "(%& '% &*'*"%&'&'" • #"$() '"''"(&!'. '*,!(&*' !'& • (#&!(#'("&'''#". • (!#'(!$#&("(("%)'/ • (*&-'(#-#)& &"".(#&-'#"'("( -$$ (# $&( ,!$ '/ • $&#*-#)+(%) (-'!"&!(& '"&!") " )" +#& '('. '('"#&!'(#)'+(-#)& "('/ "! ) • ("%)'& )'(&((&- *#&*# "!&'%'"!& !#"'(&(#"'/ • ('$&('("%)'"&#)$"$&,&''/

( %!' . "!&( '!' ! &," "&'. %' %#&'. & ' !'%"('"%, "(%& '/

1&(''-# # #(-2 1 '#( 2 1 "'(&2 50 6 5348 570 58 5348 450 46 5349

""'/***0& &) "# !'0"0(20&' /498467586:7 Supporting your steps towards effective DBT ( Since 1997! ) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is the most innovative and unique behavioural approach towards treating personality disorders to have emerged in a generation. It was the first mainstream psychotherapy to incorporate mindfulness practice at its core. Originally developed by Professor Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington in Seattle as an eclectic approach to treating Borderline Personality Disorder, its evidence base is now second to none. Multi-modal DBT programmes have been implemented by trained clinicians in many countries with diverse health systems, working relentlessly across a range of clinical and forensic settings to create lives worth living for people facing complex, severe and enduring psychological challenges. British Isles DBT Training is the sole licensed UK provider of training, consultation and supervision in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, officially recommended for consideration in the Borderline Personality Disorder Guideline for treating repeated self-harming behaviours (NICE, 2009). In partnership with the Linehan Institute*, our team has contributed to establishing international accreditation criteria for DBT therapists, based on rating tapes using the adherence scale developed by Marsha Linehans research lab in Seattle. The Society for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy now forms the only demonstrably independent Board Of Accreditation in the UK which is accepting applications for accreditation in the UK and Ireland based on these international criteria. OUR TRAINERS All our trainers have been supervised either by Marsha Linehan or one of her original DBT Consultation team All our trainers are experienced clinicians who have had their sessions assessed to ensure they are adherent to Linehans model before attempting to train others the only UK training team with *International Affiliate status British Isles DBT Training operates an apprenticeship program for new trainers-in-training under the supervision of Dr Michaela Swales in which their technical expertise is honed by more experienced DBT Consultants. Constant assessment and feedback ensures that quality is maintained at the highest standard OUR EXPERTISE AND OUR ACADEMIC LINKS We have been training DBT teams in the UK and Ireland since 1997, over 400 at the last count and are fully equipped to advise on programme implementation in every type of clinical setting where severe and enduring behavioural issues arise. Our DBT Intensive Training format is the basis for your academic journey in DBT: the Postgraduate Certificate in DBT validated by the University of Bangor another worldwide first !

UPCOMINGUPCOMING DBT DBT TRAINING TRAINING FOR FOR 2015 / /2016 2016 DBTDBT Foundation Foundation Course Course ( 5day) ( 5day) 21 25 September 21 - 25 September READING READING DBT®DBT® Skills Skills Essentials Essentials 24 25 September 24 - 25 September SHEFFIELD SHEFFIELD DBT®DBT® for Substancefor Substance Misuse Misuse 1 15 16 October 22 - 23 October EDINBURGH EDINBURGH DBT®DBT® Intensive Intensive Training Training (10(10 day) day) 9 3 9November - 3 November CHESTER CHESTER AdaptingAdapting DBT DBT for Suicidalfor Suicidal Teens Teens 3 4 3December - 4 December OXFORD OXFORD UsingUsing DBT DBT on theon Frontthe Front Lines Lines 18 19 18February - 19 February COVENTRY COVENTRY

For Information about attaining a Post Graduate Certificate or DBT Training onsite please call one of the DBT team on 08000 056 8328 or visit our website www.dbt-training.co.uk .