the psychologist vol 28 no 8 august 2015 www.thepsychologist.org.uk

Making holidays work Jessica de Bloom takes a tour

letters 606 qualitative special feature 638 news 616 interview: ‘we’re all either Jedi or Sith’ 660 digest 626 big picture centre reviews 682 careers 674 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 Making holidays work www.thepsychologist.org.uk work and organisational psychologist 632 www.psychapp.co.uk Jessica de Bloom takes a tour of the world [email protected] of vacation research tinyurl.com/thepsychomag Breaking out of the silo mentality 638 @psychmag Rachel Shaw and Nollaig Frost argue for Advertising pluralism and mixed methods, to open Reach 50,000 psychologists a special feature on qualitative psychology at very reasonable rates. Display Aaron Hinchcliffe Learning from the ‘lifeworld’ 642 020 7880 7661 632 Joanna Brooks introduces a range of [email protected] approaches to phenomenology in qualitative Recruitment (in print and online psychology at www.psychapp.co.uk) Giorgio Romano 020 7880 7556 Rhetoric and resistance 648 [email protected] Stephen Gibson uses qualitative analysis to understand Milgram’s studies – are they July 2015 issue 48,896 dispatched really ‘obedience’ experiments?

Printed by Crossing into the digital realm 652 Warners Midlands plc Sarah Riley, Adrienne Evans, Christine Griffin, on 100 per cent recycled Yvette Morey and Helen Murphy look at the paper. Please re-use or recycle. issues for researchers in online and digital research ISSN 0952-8229 638 ...looks back Cover Kate Thornton Let a thousand flowers bloom 656 http://katethorntondesign. Anna Madill rounds off the special feature with blogspot.co.uk a look at how such methods, and the Society’s © Copyright for all published material is Section, have blossomed over the years held by the British Psychological Society 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 Matt Connolly 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 8 august 2015

the issue ...reports Break out your tiny violins: The Psychologist and Research Digest do news 616 not get holidays. We have considered is unemployment being rebranded a psychological disorder?; APA torture a combined July/August issue, to investigation; harrowing stories in the Harris Review on self-inflicted deaths ease the pressure on our small in custody; perspectives on psychosis and schizophrenia; and more team during the summer and to allow us to do more outreach events society 664 (such as last month’s Latitude President’s column; a psychological perspective on hoarding; the Society’s Festival appearance). We would Research Assistantship scheme; and more welcome your views on that, but in the meantime we plough on with ...debates our usual monthly issue and daily web updates. No doubt many of letters 606 you find juggling holidays, work learning to teach more reflectively; psychology and religion; Society investments and and other responsibilities a the presidential term; the not-so-new statistics; Professor Edgar Miller; and more challenge too: Jessica de Bloom’s piece (p.632) has some evidence- based tips for you. ...digests Elsewhere, colour coded on this Phineas Gage, giggling toddlers, the monster in the mirror, and much more – contents spread, we have a special feature on qualitative psychology. including news of a live event – from www.bps.org.uk/digest 626 I am particularly pleased that we are trying new ways of pulling together ...meets contributions: see Sarah Riley and colleagues (p.652) and the news 620 associated video discussion. All part five minutes with Helen Cassaday on the use of non-human primates in research of our print/online integration, along with forays into live events such as interview: ‘we’re all either Jedi or Sith’ 660 the Digest ‘heaven and hell’ do Miles Thomas meets John Amaechi OBE – psychologist, organisational (www.bps.org.uk/digest/10): no rest consultant, high-performance executive coach and former NBA basketball player for the wicked! careers 674 Dr Jon Sutton we hear about partnership working from Jackie Sykes and Chris Welford, Managing Editor @psychmag and Fiona Sweeney describes her work in mental health street triage one on one 688 with Victoria Clarke, Associate Professor in Sexuality Studies at the University of the West of England ...reviews The emotion of Inside Out; The Elephant Man; Dementiaville; Scientology and the Prison of Belief; ‘Decision’ exhibition; and more 682

3 years ago The Psychologist and Digest Go to www.thepsychologist.org.uk Editorial Advisory Committee for our archive, Big picture centre-page pull-out Catherine Loveday (Chair), Phil Banyard, including a special left-handedness: mysteries and Olivia Craig, Helen Galliard, Harriet Gross, issue on time myths, with Carolyn J. Choudhary Rowena Hill, Stephen McGlynn, Peter Olusoga, Tony Wainwright, Peter Wright

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk Learning to teach more reflectively LETTERS

We are delighted to read Professor more reflective and informed teaching Knapper’s letter ‘Who teaches the practitioner encouraged to embed their teachers?’ (July 2015), which highlights own learning and teaching research into the current state of teaching practice in a more complete reflective account of their the higher education sector. While the individual teaching practice. Indeed, we letter implies a paucity of teaching have previously stated that the field of professionalism, which we do not agree psychology is pre-eminently positioned to with, we would like to add that a benefit from such a reflective approach national focus is needed to ensure that (Senior et al., 2015). Yet, more could still research into teaching practice forms be done. a solid foundation for effective delivery Ultimately, the modern-day university is in the lecture hall. a large organisation and like all other large There are many established drives organisations it is sensitive to various market to increase teaching quality throughout forces. Such forces drive managerial strategy to the UK HEIs. These schemes go beyond the ‘induction courses’ divert resources towards high-impact research activities that are highlighted in the correspondence and allow teachers to reflect likely to be successful in subsequent funding exercises. Policy on how best they can develop their own practice to ensure that recognises the importance of learning and teaching research innovation in delivery and assessment is both integral and and the role that it plays in the delivery of evidence-informed continuous. teaching practice in the classroom is needed before teaching Initiatives such as the Higher Education Academy (HEA) excellence in the HE sector achieves the recognition that is Fellowship accreditation schemes have seen a significant rise in deserves. HEA Fellows throughout the sector. Here, excellence in teaching Rowena Senior FHEA practice is regularly celebrated with Fellows, Senior Fellows and Carl Senior PFHEA, FBPsS Principal Fellows finding themselves in positions where they can Aston University direct, drive and even determine teaching excellence in their own institutions. References The celebration of such teaching excellence is not an Halffman, W. & Radder, H. (2015). The academic manifesto: From an occupied to a example of the facile ‘adoration of excellence’ – an inexorable public university. Minerva, 53, 165–187. movement that has been identified in the modern-day university Senior, C, Reddy, P.A. & Senior, R. (2014). The relationship between student borne out of the drive to marketise the HE sector (Halffman & employability and student engagement: Working toward a more unified theory. Radder, 2015). Rather, such schemes see the rise of an altogether Frontiers in Educational Psychology, 5, 238–240.

CBT losing efficacy? – Not proven

In the July issue ‘Digest’ you ‘CBT doesn’t seem to be this conclusion may be the millennium 85 per cent report a meta-analysis of 70 helping reduce depression premature, inspection of of studies were randomised CBT studies for depression symptoms as much today as Table 1 of Johnsen and controlled trials (RCTs) but conducted by Johnsen and it used to when it was first Friborg’s study shows that from 2001 to 2014 the Friborg (2015) and opined developed in the 1970s’. But from 1977 up to and including comparable figure was 65 per

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. , 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

606 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 letters

Psychology and religion I was interested to read Ann consultation with a Wood’s description of her psychologist would be Christopher Knapper in July issue is unfortunately right to experience as a member of advisable? Even more bemoan the amateurism of much university teaching. However, a spirituality group at a interesting are the questions he does us no service by picking out the lecture as a principal rehabilitation unit (‘People ‘Can both these roles be offender. There are good and bad lectures, just as there are good first, science second’, June fulfilled by the same person?’ and bad seminars, workshops and supervisions. The lecture’s 2015), not the least because and ‘Would it then be great advantage is that it is highly economical of expensive staff articles in The Psychologist that professionally acceptable for time. Sadly, despite the efforts of all our staff development units deal with religion are almost as one person to operate in this there is a persistent culture that perpetuates the myth that no rare as the proverbial hens’ way?’ No doubt the current training is needed to give an adequate lecture. And it is often teeth [although see climate of political correctness, the brightest academics who see the least need to improve. tinyurl.com/psychreli]. Whilst human rights and fear of A good lecture is properly organised and signposted, there are academic journals in litigation would act as relevant to the course studied, interactive and inclusive. It also our field that specialise in discouragements. requires very little extra effort on a trained lecturer’s part. The religion, this dearth of articles Likewise, there can be other side of the coin is that students receive no help in suggests that psychologists resistance from both to engaging with and interpreting lectures. Many of them take prefer to keep religion very investigating spiritual and extensive notes, which some of them even write up into fair much in the background. religious topics using the copies afterwards. In fact, such note-writing actually distracts However, Ann Wood’s tools of the scientific method. from following the live lecture. Any lecturer who doubts this informative contribution Those with strong religious should glance through the notes of one or two of their students; illustrates how rewarding it convictions may say that they would be horrified to see the unintelligible gibberish! can be to participate in the everything contained in holy Of course, breaking the culture is difficult. Perhaps the best sort of group that she books should be accepted as suggestion is for those of us who do deliver effective lectures to describes, even after her initial inerrant. In the other camp, take every opportunity to demonstrate their skills to colleagues. reservations. the secularists will say that all But as Knapper says, the evidence-based practice they regularly One of the vocational can be explained rationally preach is slow to reach our academics’ own practice. guidance tests I used to and nothing is supernatural. Asher Cashdan administer to young people In my first book The Gospel Iain Garner had the profiles of Miracles: What Really Sheffield Hallam University psychologists and the clergy Happened? (Resource next to each other in rank Publications, 2014) I order. Invariably, when I came examined 35 miracles with an to give feedback and reported open mind and without any that the test had shown the pre-suppositions. The findings best matches were with the will no doubt please neither profiles of psychologists and the religious conservatives nor the clergy, the reaction from the secularists, but only those the parents was something who value an honest attempt like: ‘Our little Johnny a to arrive at the truth. I am cent. One of the hallmarks of diagnostic status to determine clergyman – with the way he continuing this unbiased an RCT is blind assessment, whether this has changed behaves, you must be joking!’ inquiry in my second book using a standardised since the 1970s – from a I then had to try and explain Suicide, Euthanasia, and diagnostic interview. Thus public health point of view that both these professions Despair: Can the Bible Help?, there can be no certainty that changes on continuous were concerned with helping and my next will be on populations treated post the measures, though important, people, enhancing their whether a religious faith can millennium are comparable to are essentially surrogate wellbeing, and life satisfaction. enhance mental and physical those before. The results of measures. It would also be The only real difference is that wellness in the third age. Johnsen and Friborg’s (2015) interesting to see a re-analysis the clergy base their approach Whatever our inner meta-analysis could more of the included studies on spiritual beliefs, and convictions may be, the fact parsimoniously be interpreted comparing outcomes in psychologists on evidence- that the lives of many people as indicating that CBT does studies using blind based theory and practice. are influenced by their not work well when the standardised diagnostic Is it possible to have spiritual beliefs and religious population being addressed assessments with those not a foot in both camps? Do convictions means that these is poorly defined. Historically, using this ‘gold standard’. psychologists have to have must be taken account of by CBT treatments have largely Michael J. Scott personal a religious faith in all in the helping professions, been diagnosis-specific, Liverpool order to consider that a client’s and not ignored. I look arguably failure to match difficulties might have a forward to seeing more disorder/difficulty with Reference spiritual basis? Likewise, contributions to The protocol will result in sub- Johnsen, T.J. & Friborg, O. (2015). The should clergy involved in Psychologist on matters optimal outcomes. effects of CBT as an anti-depressive pastoral counselling accept of religious faith. The authors of this meta- treatment is falling. Psychological that there are times when the Dr Michael Lowis analysis did not analyse Bulletin [Advance online publication]. help they are able to offer is CPsychol, AFBPsS outcome in terms of loss of doi:10.1037/bul0000015 inadequate, and that a Northampton

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 607 letters Fossil fuel divestment and the BPS

Last year the British Medical Association (BMA), the T IM

representative body of doctors in the UK, voted to end its S ANDERS investments in fossil fuel industries, becoming the first professional health organisation in the world to do so. The move follows mounting evidence that climate change poses a major threat to human health and wellbeing through increased risk of severe weather events (storms, floods, droughts), global food insecurity, the spread of infectious diseases, forced migration and war (Berry et al., 2010; Costello et al., 2009). Among the United Nation’s recent Millennium Development Goals a new goal has been added: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (see tinyurl.com/nasnrsy). Avoiding the worst impacts of climate change will require substantial reductions in fossil fuel consumption. In order to have at least a 50 per cent chance of keeping below a surface temperature increase of 2°C above pre-industrial levels – the generally agreed threshold for dangerous climate change – 80 per cent of currently listed fossil fuel reserves will need to remain unburned (McGlade & Ekins, 2015). This is the goal of universities, cities, counties, businesses and public organisations the divestment campaign. The campaign recognises our current have committed to end their fossil fuel investments. Within the dependence on energy produced from fossil fuels and argues for health sector groups of health professionals and students such as a transition to a low-carbon economy through moving stocks, Medact and Healthy Planet UK are calling on UK health bonds and other assets from industries whose primary business organisations to divest. The BMA’s decision has set a historic relies on fossil fuels, to investments in renewable energy. precedent – but where is the BPS in this debate? The BMA’s decision to divest from fossil fuels is analogous to The BPS has previously demonstrated its eagerness to engage its decision to divest from tobacco industries 30 years ago. Then, with the threat of climate change by publishing relevant articles as now, the move acknowledges that for a health organisation to and letters in The Psychologist and responding to consultations invest in and profit from industries that are directly harmful to about the potential health impacts of climate change (e.g. BPS, health is inherently contradictory. Over the past year hundreds of 2007). Yet the question of whether – or to what extent – the BPS The presidential term of office

When reading Gene Johnson’s Yes, the Society has a CEO, post, although elections are should be the President. article in the March 2015 Professor Ann Colley, who has held every year. I urge the BPS to analyse edition of OP Matters, I been in post since 2008. But I What then is the answer? the evidence concerning the considered my experiences was unaware of this: the Firstly, I hope this letter can effects of long-term stable with the BPS, and Johnson’s Psychologist editor had to kick-start a valuable leadership and short-term discussion of the BPS Strategic point it out to me. A search of conversation on the role and changing leadership on the Plan 2015–2020. As I the BPS site for her name responsibilities of the success of organisations, and reflected, I pondered: if a FTSE produces few results, she President concerning the decide if evidence-based 100 company changed its CEO doesn’t appear on the Society’s leadership of the BPS. practice is what we do every year, you might expect Wikipedia page, and the However, if anyone says, ‘Well, ourselves, or just something limited long-term development Strategic Plan contains not a we (the BPS) are different’, we recommend for others. and success from that single mention of her or her please shoot them. After you Tim Artus organisation. So why does the position. This suggests that the have called an ambulance, A2 AIRCOM BPS change its leader, i.e. the leadership of the BPS resides administered first aid and NATO President, every 12 months? within the role of President. So applied the safety catch to Ramstein The President and President how can an organisation your weapon, try to find BFPO 109 Elect work as a team over a achieve significant and lasting evidence of organisations and two-year period, but this does change, as proposed in the companies operating Reference not change the fact that there Strategic Plan, when its leader successfully when they have a Johnson, G. (2015). The future of the is a new leader every year. As changes so frequently? A quick continual turnover of leaders. Society? Get member-focused. OP Johnson states, ‘we know that comparison of similar We are not different and it’s Matters. Issue 25, pp.38–40. changing the Society culture... organisations shows the Royal time to decide if we want to will take some time’ (2015, College of Psychiatrists elects evolve and deliver on the Reply from Carole Allan, BPS p.38), so why have five their President for three-year Strategic Plan, or any plan for Honorary General Secretary: different people try to lead the terms and a President of the that matter. If so, we need Our President is the figurehead implementation of the Royal College of Physicians long-term leadership from a for the organisation and chairs Strategic Plan? averages about four years in visible leader, who I believe our Board of Trustees, which is

608 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 letters

NETWORK FOR NHS is invested in fossil fuels has, to our knowledge, not been PSYCHOLOGISTS publicly discussed. The NHS network originally to members of the public and Climate change poses an unacceptably high risk to human began in 2013 and regular the NHS organisation. One of health and wellbeing and necessitates urgent action. The BPS meetings were arranged by the issues this network has has an important role in shaping public understanding of these me with qualified and trainee thought about is ‘How do threats and the potential to be a leader in tackling them by counselling psychologists that psychologists look after committing to divest from fossil fuels and encouraging other could attend, but mostly contact themselves within a changing organisations to do so. We ask the BPS to publicly clarify its was via e-mail. From these NHS?’. The NHS network has position on fossil fuel investments, withdraw any existing beginnings I put forward an idea discussed and continues to have investments, and commit to not investing in these industries about opening this group up to conversations about the impact in the future. other counselling psychologists of working in the NHS with its Francis Vergunst and applied psychologists targets and reduced resources, Bergljot Gjelsvik (clinical psychologists, health and about how psychologists University of Oxford psychologists, and forensic can take care of themselves. psychologists) countrywide. Network discussions are rich References With the Division of Counselling in content and we have talked Berry, H.L. et al. (2010). Climate change and mental health: A causal pathways Psychology Executive about commissioning, clustering framework. International Journal of Public Health, 55, 123–132. and the funding of BPS (2007). Response to the Department of Health/Health Protection Agency services. As a consultation: Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK – 2007. Leicester: Author. network we have Costello A. et al. (2009). Managing the health effects of climate change. The Lancet, thought about the 373, 1693–1733 (2009). systems that are McGlade, C. & Ekins, P. (2015). The geographical distribution of fossil fuels unused used to quantify what when limiting global warming to 2°C. Nature, 517, 187–190. psychologists do and whether they are Reply from Ray Miller, BPS Honorary Treasurer: The Society designed to really takes a range of ethical factors into consideration when making capture the way in investment decisions about its funds. Investments are reviewed which psychologists on a regular basis by the Board of Trustees in this context, as use their expertise well as in accordance with charity legislation that requires we to understand and make adequate returns on invested funds for the benefit of the formulate about the organisation and its members. The Society recognises the clients they see. importance of balancing ethical and economic considerations Systems that are and will continue to monitor investments closely with these focused on numbers, and matters to the fore. Committee’s support the NHS on ensuring that psychologists network was launched on 22 are seen to be doing, do not January 2014. fully appreciate the time it takes From this event new to ‘think’ about the client. When the governing body. The with her counterparts in other members joined and the psychologists need to ‘be with’ President has no powers over organisations. membership has grown. Five what the client brings, through and above those of other The issue of the term of meetings are scheduled yearly reflection and other skills that Trustees, who share the office for the presidency has where the NHS network can help to make sense of the work; responsibility for the been raised periodically, and meet at the BPS offices in this is sometimes governance of the Society and the pros (e.g. continuity) London to develop the group misunderstood as ‘not doing’ its strategic leadership. The versus cons (e.g. the danger of further; there are also enough and ‘not meeting presidential position is taken restricting the field due to the telephone conferencing facilities targets’. An interesting figure as part of a three-year term to enhanced load over a available during those of speech was used in the ensure continuity, but also to prolonged period) have been meetings. Attendance levels at discussion I had with some allow a period of gathering debated, but no clear mandate the meetings do vary but I do members of the network to knowledge (the year as for change has emerged. Times believe that this network offers illustrate how this aspect of our President Elect) and overlap have changed, and the Board a space where psychologists work can be experienced as an (the year as Vice President) to of Trustees will again start the feel they belong and they are ‘attack on thinking’. ensure that there is cover for process of reviewing key connected with other I am curious if you have any events or meetings that the positions within our psychologists who also work views on this topic. If you would President is unable to governance structure as part within the NHS. like to join the NHS network accommodate. The Chief of a review of governance Psychologists who work in please contact me via Executive has the delegated that has been initiated. The the NHS are a unique specialist [email protected] responsibility for the conversation therefore has group that contributes high Dr M. McIntosh AFBPsS, administration of the Society’s commenced, evidence will levels of expertise through the CPsychol affairs, leads the Society’s staff be gathered and more delivery of psychology services NHS Network Lead and represents the Society at information will follow later relevant meetings and events this year.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 609 letters Why the ‘new statistics’ isn’t new Smith and Morris (‘Building confidence or very practical. Contrary to popular they might, exotic procedures such as in confidence intervals’, June 2015) and opinion, the values contained within ‘bootstrapping’ or ‘jack-knifing’ do not Cumming (2014) encourage psychologists the CI aren’t necessarily that interesting. substantively change the interpretation to move away from null hypothesis Why? Because they don’t mean what of the CI. significance testing and to report effect most psychologists think they mean. Third, the real new statistics: beyond sizes and confidence intervals instead For example, the 95 per cent CI does not the confidence interval. We are not without invoking significance (i.e. the mean that ’95 per cent of the sample data suggesting that reporting effect sizes and ‘new’ statistics). We offer three points of lie within the interval’ (a CI is not a range confidence intervals is bad practice. On contention. of plausible values for the sample mean). the contrary, confidence intervals and First, confidence intervals (CIs) are A CI also does not mean that ‘there is a 95 effect sizes often contain more detailed based on null hypothesis significance per cent probability that the true and useful information than p values testing (NHST). Calculating a CI as population parameter lies within the alone. However, there are other ways to suggested by Smith and Morris in The interval’. In fact, the 95 per cent construct confidence intervals that do not Psychologist and by Cumming (2014) does probability does not refer to the interval rely on NHST. One example is the not in any way differ from NHST. Indeed, itself but rather to the ‘credibility interval’, which is based on the CI is obtained using the same reliability/confidence in the method that Bayesian procedures and allows a underlying statistical method as the p is used to obtain the interval. In other researcher to actually express the obtained value. For example, consider that the words, the CI does not refer to a specific interval in terms of a real probability. The lower and upper bounds of the 95 per sample but rather to the notion of larger point is that if we honestly want cent confidence interval are simply a repeated sampling (method). psychologists to adopt a ‘new statistics’, function of the standard error of the A correct definition: If this procedure we need to build confidence (not in) but estimate multiplied by the Z-score (i.e. the were repeated on many samples (e.g. outside the confidence interval. critical value for significance or ‘alpha’). conduct an experiment over and over again), Sander van der Linden Changing the alpha level (e.g. from 5% to and a hypothetical confidence interval would Department of Psychology, Princeton 1%) will change the Z-score (from 1.96 to be calculated for each individual sample, University 2.575) and hence the value range of the then 95 per cent of the time, the CI would Breanne Chryst CI. Thus, the CI is directly based on a null contain the true population parameter. Department of Statistics, hypothesis significance test. Using the CI Note: this means that we have no idea will not help psychologists move away if the CI calculated for a specific sample References from this practice. In fact, researchers actually contains the true population Cumming, G. (2014). The new statistics: Why and how. often treat the CI as a p value simply by value! The hypothetical nature of the Psychological Science, 25, 7–29. judging whether or not the interval interpretation of the CI makes it not very Hoekstra, R., Morey, R.D., Rouder, J.N. & includes a ‘0’ (Hoekstra et al., 2014). intuitive to meaningfully use or apply Wagenmakers, E.J. (2014). Robust Second, the true definition of a (hence the widespread misinterpretation). misinterpretation of confidence intervals. confidence interval is not very intuitive Also note that although it sounds like Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 21(5), 1157–1164.

DID THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY BENEFIT FROM INGROUP BIAS?

Following recent articles (May more salient all them to vote SNP. to the SNP have occurred without 2015) and letters (June and July things Scottish, A second group engaging a strong psychological 2015) in The Psychologist on the elevated feelings of had voted for tendency like ingroup favouritism, election and referendums, might Scottish identity in independence in and could this have happened psychological principles also help Scottish minds and the referendum, without the strong stimulus of the to explain the most striking stimulated or had become recent referendum for Scottish outcomes of the general election: engagement with independence- independence? the extraordinary and surprising Scottish issues. This minded as a The Liberal Democrat case success of the Scottish National had repercussions result of the is more complex but might their Party (a gain of 50 seats) and the for a powerful social ingroup effect. collapse also be explained in part equally extraordinary, but phenomenon: they The third group by a very general and simple perhaps less surprising, failure enhanced positive were uncertain psychological process? Being a of the Liberal Democrats (a loss ingroup (i.e. Scottish) about independence minority in a coalition of 49 seats)? Could such large feelings, and perhaps also but wanted to see the SNP in government made their changes in voting behaviour be feelings of derogation towards action in Parliament, so as to turn distinctive policies more difficult due to political factors alone or an outgroup (the English). their uncertainty into something to detect, until the last few weeks might something of a more For some, the pros and cons more decided. But all were before the election when the general psychological nature of Scottish independence played pushed in the direction of voting gloves were off. have been going on? little or no part in their voting SNP as a result of an ingroup Dr John Lazarus In spite of its result the decision and an increase in bias. Centre for Behaviour and Evolution Scottish referendum, by making ingroup feeling was sufficient for Could such a powerful swing Newcastle University

610 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 letters

Helping our armed services veterans NOTICEBOARD

We thank Professor Hacker Hughes for his interview (‘From pathways; for example the We would like to hear about your civvy street to theatre of war’, May 2015) raising awareness of London Veterans’ Service has feelings and emotions in your psychology in the armed forces and mental health risks faced working partnerships with workplace and how these impact with courage by members of the armed forces. Combat Stress, the Sir Oswald your ability to ‘switch-off’ after Regarding veteran mental health provision, we agree with Stoll Foundation, the Ripple work. Professor Hacker Pond (for families) and many At the University of Surrey Hughes that there other organisations. There is we are currently conducting a is a lot of room to also plenty of innovation, such study exploring the relationship improve. Veterans as our recently launched between perceptions of coming through our prison in-reach service to organisational justice, feelings service often do HMP Wandsworth. Looked at at work and how individuals describe negative past from one perspective, there is ‘switch-off’ after work. experiences of mental a substantial range of decent You can take part in the study health treatment across provision, many veterans by just completing a 10–15 the sectors, but they recovering and an improving minutes online survey are equally often trend in available help and de- (http://surveys.fahs.surrey.ac.uk/ strong in highlighting stigmatisation. Many problems Switching_Off) or by emailing the contacts that have are not specific to veterans – me. helped and like form-filling and waiting Evie Michailidis encouraging other ex- lists. The main challenge – [email protected] service personnel to again not specific to veterans, make contact, although arguably greater a acknowledge their problem for males – is people not being seen at all, which is why needs and get help. I think we should be realistic but also offer a bit more hope for Nobody is going to people considering seeking help. argue for complacency, Dr Nick Hawkes and there are debates Clinical Psychologist and Co-ordinator to be had about how far we have come and what most needs to London Veterans’ Assessment and Treatment Service change, but if the narrative remains relentlessly negative there is Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust a danger of reinforcing perceptions that put veterans off even further when we need to build bridges. Given the historical connection between clinical psychology and the NHS it is also a pity that the NHS veteran services were not mentioned. Ex-serving personnel can access the NHS via a Psychology A-level the network of regional veteran mental health services. Each operates to a different model according to their area’s needs. In source of gender London, for example, we have an open referral service to make it as easy as possible to find a way in. For most people we offer assessment and assertive treatment advocacy to try steer to the imbalance? right services and to improve engagement. Our follow-up audit data suggests that the approach works, as more are in treatment Over the years there has been purposes, which I purchased at follow-up when we refer compared to GP referrals. We also frequent discussion in these from the BPS! support the capacity across the sectors to meet veterans’ needs pages about gender imbalance I suggest that a ‘soft’ topic with training and consultation. For instance, this year we have in psychology. In my own such as this is unlikely to co-produced with veterans and expert speakers training for experience of psychology appeal to boys of 16 or 17. IAPT workers in offering evidence-based therapies in a veteran- courses and clinical Steering clear of psychology oriented way. We offer specialist therapy for complex service- psychology departments from at A-level, it is unlikely they related trauma if that is not available in the local area. Most the 1950s to the late 1980s would then opt to study it at regional services offer, like us, a mixture of assessments, referral there were always roughly university. pathways, treatment and training. equal numbers of males and Perhaps the syllabus needs Commonly, veterans are seen in mainstream NHS services, females. I suspect the change to be scrutinised and some which will be fine when there is good practice and attention is occurred gradually after A- adjustments made. paid to veteran status as a ‘difference that makes a difference’. level Psychology was Incidentally it would be It helps to educate oneself, avoid assumptions, acknowledge introduced. As a school interesting to know the differences in language and culture, appreciate the strong values governor I became aware of proportion of male A-level system in the armed forces and how training, deployment, the syllabus, probably around teachers of psychology; are combat and transition can shape a person’s experience. We find 1992/3 I would think. One there sufficient male role a lot of openness and enthusiasm from NHS professionals when topic must have been Infant models to attract the next offering veteran mental health training. Speech Development because generation? Veteran charities bolster the field with a wide range of further I recall giving the sixth-form Pat Kingerlee choices. A strength of the field is that NHS and charities work teacher a tape of infant speech, Wymondham together to provide services and maintain networks and referral possibly prepared for teaching Norfolk

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 611 letters In defence of the MBTI Abandon autism as In her critique of the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (‘New voices: Helpful categorisation or limiting label?’, July 2015), Caitlin Cherry describes herself as an INFP (she also questions Dougal Hare and Rita Jordan more clearly the need for the value of this description) who, despite preferring Feeling, (Letters, July 2015) have diagnosis together with a ‘sometimes’ likes ‘conflict and debate’. Well, I too am an INFP helpfully attempted to allay thorough assessment of the who sometimes enjoys a debate and I’d like to offer some brief my confusion about autism individual’s abilities and counter-arguments and elaborations. diagnoses (Letters, May 2015). difficulties. One might think First, I think Cherry misunderstands the central concept in However, I feel neither has such an assessment would be MBTI theory of preference. Preference can be defined as ‘feeling entirely succeeded. Dougal sufficient for determining most natural and comfortable with a particular way of behaving Hare offers an interesting support services, at least if and experiencing’. For example, although people who prefer picture of autism suggesting adequate individualised Feeling tend to enjoy debates less than those who prefer something akin to a support were actually available Thinking and may therefore generally debate less often and personality type with two for all who need it. with less comfort and sense of fulfilment when they do, we psychological trait- Interestingly, however, she nevertheless, according to MBTI theory, can do it – hence my components, representing argues that, in the absence of a emphasis in the first paragraph on the word ‘sometimes’. In social communication clear diagnosis, support should other words, we each develop our non-preferences too but difficulties and still be offered to children with they are not, in normal development, as well-developed as repetitive/restricted similar needs ‘as if they had our preferences nor, in MBTI theory, would this be desirable. behaviours, thus broadly autism’. This might imply that A possibility here is to help someone rank order both their reflecting the DSM-5 a correct diagnosis is not so preferences and their non-preferences in terms of development. definition. Nevertheless, if important after all – if indeed An INFP for example, again given normal development, could I read him correctly, he still we can ever definitely know be an NPIFSTJE or numerous other permutations. This level of seems to think of ‘autism’ as when a diagnosis is ‘correct’. description would be helpful for some people and the crisper, naming some identifiable And might this also encourage more manageable INFP level for others. A strength of the longer mental entity combining these false positive diagnoses? So variation is that it explicitly recognises that the non-preferences components. Finally he says, I continue to wonder what the are part of each personality too, as illustrated well in Cherry’s rather puzzlingly, that issues of difference really is between analyses. It would also mean creating many more descriptions, diagnosis are ‘redundant’ and having autism and having an and of course more still if further pairs of preferences were added that diagnosis provides a basis autism diagnosis, with no to the standard four pairs. Anxiety, reframed as preference for for determining service need. biomarkers for validating Worried versus Calm, is a main contender (Bayne, 2013). Rita Jordan emphasises diagnoses. Second, Cherry states that the MBTI has a ‘questionable scientific base’, which in context I take to mean that the evidence for its validity is ‘weak’ or ‘fundamentally flawed’. Many psychologists and textbooks make the same misjudgement. The simplest counter-argument is that the main measure associated Recognising ADHD in school with a rival theory of personality (Big Five theory) correlates highly with the MBTI, that the evidence for the validity of one Underperformance at school is an increasingly prevalent issue of these theories therefore generally supports both, and that Big for young people with ADHD. Why? I believe teachers are not Five theory is currently the best researched and most widely equipped to distinguish ADHD from mere ‘laziness’ or ‘bad accepted theory of the traits/preferences level of personality. behaviour’. Third, I found Cherry Caitlin’s vivid illustrations of the I was diagnosed at the age of 17. I always thought that effects, both positive and harmful, of MBTI and MBTI-like concentration, retention and politeness were everyday challenges personality test results, and of the related inaccurate descriptions for everyone – not just me. As a child with undiagnosed ADHD, of some of them, particularly powerful. I imagine that we’d agree you are either put in the bottom classes at school, led to believe that competent feedback is vital to enhance the positive effects that you are ‘educationally challenged’, or you are put in the top and reduce the harmful ones and that competence includes the classes and feel just as bad because you cannot keep up with following: stating and meaning that it is the person whose results your peers. As the unpleasant comments become common, you they are who decides on their accuracy; emphasising that the begin to think that maybe you are stupid, maybe it is your fault results are a step towards understanding part of their or maybe you are lazy. No matter how hard I thought I was individuality; and suggesting other approaches to increasing self- trying, I was never good enough. awareness and self-respect, such as strengths, projects, values My diagnosis of ADHD was a huge relief. The ‘fog’ was lifted and life stories, which may complement the results or for the and things made more sense. I started medication, and the particular person be more helpful than them. I also think test difference in my behavioural stability was incredible. Yet I would results can be treated as too authoritative and that exercises and have to ‘defend’ my condition to people such as the ‘matron’ who discussion can work well without them (Bayne, 2013). handled all of my medical matters at boarding school. Rowan Bayne Schools must take the appropriate measures to help and Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Counselling recognise ADHD, because it is not rare, and a worrying number University of East London of children are left to feel alone and misunderstood. Numerous e-mails from school were sent to my parents, complaining that Reference I could not retain information or focus, and that I was Bayne, R. (2013). The counsellor’s guide to personality. Basingstoke: Palgrave disorganised, rude and outspoken. Everything pointed towards Macmillan. a child struggling with ADHD: my school just never made the

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obituary discrete disorder Edgar Miller (1939–2015) Indeed, whether a child’s label for people with social pattern of behaviour meets the cognitive difficulties, and Ed Miller, who died on 22 criteria for autism obviously (2) whether diagnosis simply May, was a distinguished depends on how we conceive functions as a conventional academic and clinical this. As Verhoeff (2013) has stipulation about what kinds psychologist, who was shown in an illuminating of people might qualify for a past President of the review, conceptualisations dedicated (and limited) British Psychological of autism have changed support services. Perhaps the Society (1992/93) and the substantially since Kanner’s best approach is simply to first clinical psychologist time, such that there is no focus on atypical social to be directly employed good reason to suppose that cognition generally, as could within the Department of there is one distinct condition be suggested by Happé and Health. underlying all its various Frith’s (2014) review, and He served as an definitions in successive abandon the idea of autism as officer in the Royal diagnostic manuals. I can some kind of discrete disorder. Signals before studying at agree with Rita Jordan that its Dr Richard Hassall CPsychol the University of Hull, current incarnation in DSM-5 Department of Philosophy and after training as a appears unsatisfactory, University of Sheffield clinical psychologist at particularly the key criterion the Institute of Psychiatry reflected his long-standing of restricted behaviours and References returned to Hull as a Lecturer historical interests in the interests, but will any Happé, F. & Frith, U. (2014). Towards a when Alan Clarke was history of both mental health satisfactory and stable developmental neuroscience of professor. He moved to services and the Poor Law, definition of autism ever be atypical social cognition. Journal of Southampton in 1971 to and after his retirement he attainable? Given all the Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55, become Senior Lecturer at completed a master’s degree evidence of heterogeneity and 553–577. the new Medical School, and in local history at Leicester. the changing criteria for Verhoeff, B. (2013). Autism in flux: A then moved to Cambridge as Ed was warm and friendly, diagnosis, one can surely ask conceptual history from Leo Kanner District Psychologist and as with a sharp mind and an (1) whether ‘autism’ represents to DSM-5. History of Psychiatry, 24, Honorary Lecturer in the ingrained distaste for the much more than a general 442–458. University. In 1990 he was pompous and pretentious, seconded to a senior position combined with a dry wit. He at the Department of Health, had a strong and ever-present having previously been sense of humour with a rich Consultant Adviser in Clinical store of anecdotes, repeatable Psychology to the Chief and unrepeatable! Ed and his Medical Officer. There he wife Sally had enjoyed link because no-one had ever taught worked under both Virginia holidays on the Isle of Skye for them how to help/recognise a child Bottomley and Stephen many years, and after he with ADHD. Dorrell, influencing policies retired they went to live there, Once at senior school, teachers on both clinical psychology but sadly had to return to live place even more importance on a and broader mental health in Rutland because of his long- child being more mature, self- issues. Meanwhile in 1992 he standing heart problems. Our motivated, respectful; all the things moved to the Chair of Clinical sympathy goes to Sally and that I (and many other undiagnosed Psychology at the University their three children, Andrew, teenagers) had not yet developed, due of Leicester, where he led the Johanna and James. He was to being on average three to five years clinical psychology training an outstanding example of behind my peers in most things. I have course, and introduced a a psychologist who combined been told that if I had been diagnosed at number of innovative both leadership of the Society the age of seven, when my problems started, I could have gone postgraduate courses. and one of its professional to Oxford University. My reality now is struggling to meet grades Ed had a broad and deep branches, and will be that are much lower than those I would have needed to attend knowledge of psychology, with remembered as a very Oxford. That feels painful. Recognition of ADHD at an early age an ability to apply its findings significant figure in the history is of the utmost importance for children like me, and awareness to matters of public concern. of clinical psychology in must be raised. His clinical interests were in Britain. If you are an ADHD expert in psychology, do you feel that the fields of clinical John Hall you are doing enough to raise awareness for the condition? Do neuropsychology and work Oxford you believe that teachers are able enough to recognise struggling with older people, and he David Griffiths children in the school environment, or do they need to hear from published widely in both Cardiff you? Change will only come if experts bring attention to the areas. The title of his Geoff Shepherd issue. No one is going to listen to a teenager! Presidential Address: Cambridge Ellie van Staden ‘Psychological treatment: Mike Wang agirlwithadhd.wordpress.com Nineteenth century style’ Leicester

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 613 letters

obituary Emeritus Professor Maurice Chazan (1922–2015) Maurice Chazan died on 29 May, aged 92 after a long illness. He At Swansea he was involved, together with Professor gained an international reputation in educational psychology and Philip Williams, in the establishment of the diploma course special education, particularly in the area of children’s emotional in educational psychology by the British Psychological Society, and social development and behaviour difficulties, compensatory from which many trainee educational psychologists in Swansea education and special educational needs in early years. benefited. He and Professor Williams were also co-directors of He was a member of the Council of Europe working party on the School Council research and development project in the evaluation of pre-school education, served on the board of compensatory education, which was set up in response to the directors of the International Council of Psychologists, and was Plowden Report. a member of the International Study Group on Special He published extensively on deprivation, social and Education. In the UK he served on the National Commission emotional development and maladjustment. While some of for the UNESCO Advisory Committee and on the Educational his articles, books or contributions to books were theoretically Research Board of the Social Science Research Council. He was oriented, others, such as his contribution to the book entitled appointed to the All Wales Advisory Panel on the Development Helping Children with Behaviour Difficulties, provided more of Services for People with Mental Handicaps and was a staunch practical guidance to teachers and other professionals. In his supporter of the National Council for Special Education, having teaching and lecturing work he bought the same degree of led its research committee for several years. He also served on commitment and meticulous planning as in his research. He the Fellowships Committee of the British Psychological Society. was supportive, approachable, humane and trustworthy, and Unusually, with a double first honours degree in classics he a fine public speaker with a rich resonant voice. undertook a full-time training course in educational psychology, Combining formidable intellectual and communicative and then, within the context of working as an educational skills with a generous and supportive personality, he was widely psychologist in Liverpool, he studied for a BA honours degree respected and richly merited the award of Fellowship of the in psychology at the University of London. Afterwards he was British Psychological Society. He leaves behind his devoted wife appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Education at the Hensha, a daughter (a second having pre-deceased him), and University College Swansea, becoming a senior lecturer in 1964, numerous loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. and was awarded a Chair in Education in 1976, finally retiring in Dr Theodore Cox FBPsS and Dr A.F. Laing FBPsS 1985, although continuing his activities long afterwards. Swansea Post-Qualification Doctoral Programmes  -RLQW3URJUDPPHVZLWK0LGGOHVH[8QLYHUVLW\

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read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 615 NEWS

Is unemployment being rebranded a psychological disorder?

Issues around psychology and employment came to the fore personal failure and psychological deficit. during June, with a report on ‘coercive strategy’ in UK Both authors of the paper, Lynne Friedli and Robert Stearn, government workfare programmes, a demonstration against are members of campaign group Boycott Workfare. This group the placement of psychologists in job centres, and statements works to stop ‘work-for-your-benefits’ schemes where people are on the topic from the British Psychological Society. made to work for free with potential sanctions on receipt of their First, an article published in Medical Humanities (see benefits if they do not comply. Friedli and Stearn suggest tinyurl.com/ostsfke) suggested that people claiming psychology is being used by the government to explain unemployment benefits are being coerced into undertaking unemployment (that people have the wrong attitude for work) psychological interventions. The research, which drew largely and as a means to achieve the ‘right’ attitude for job readiness. on personal testimonies, suggests unemployment is seen as a The report describes the role of ‘psycho-compulsion’, which it defines as the imposition of psychological explanations of unemployment and Dr David Harper (Reader in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London) is a member mandatory activities that are aimed at of Psychologists Against Austerity (see https://psychagainstausterity.wordpress.com): changing beliefs, attitudes and disposition. ‘Professionals and service users concerned about the involvement of psychological therapists Friedli and Stearn write that some in jobcentres are not trying to simply deny people psychological help, rather, they are workfare contractors that run training concerned about the way therapy is being introduced. The Conservative manifesto included programmes, such as A4e, focus on a commitment to introduce de facto mandatory therapy: “People who might benefit from psychological or ‘soft outcomes’ that treat treatment should get the medical help they need so they can return to work. If they refuse gaining a job as something that can be a recommended treatment, we will review whether their benefits should be reduced” achieved by having the right attitude. The (tinyurl.com/m3m3e2c, p.28). authors write: ‘Izzy Koksal, in her blog on ‘Compulsory healthcare is reserved within society only for extremely serious situations the experience of A4e training, describes (e.g. managing epidemics or where someone poses a serious risk to themselves or others or the impact of being surrounded by where someone has committed a serious violent criminal offence) and where there is legal motivational quotes, with their persistent oversight. Reviewing someone’s benefits for failing to take up therapy in relation to job- emphasis on individual responsibility for seeking seems an entirely disproportionate and probably counter-productive move. unemployment and the perils of negative ‘It is worth noting there has been little coverage of the evidence base for the government’s thinking.’ policies. An evaluation has been published of the pilot sites (tinyurl.com/nrkawyg). Even They also refer to a recently within its own assumptions the outcomes were poor and had a very high drop-out rate: of 413 announced scheme in which claimants referred to the four pilot sites, 173 dropped out. The high drop-out rate may be one of the will undergo interviews that will assess reasons the manifesto suggested that benefits should be refused if people didn’t take up whether they have a ‘psychological opportunities for help, but there is relatively little insight into why drop-out rates were high resistance’ to work, as well as profiling to (see bottom of p.6) and there was no systematic research into the experiences of those test if they are ‘ bewildered, despondent or receiving or declining therapy. determined’. The people it deems to be ‘Of the 240 left in the pilot, only 15 got jobs (a success rate of 6.25 per cent). Forcing less mentally fit, the authors write, will be therapy with such a low success rate is disproportionate. Placing the onus for unemployment given more intensive coaching than those on individual unemployed people seems to be a case of blaming the victim. Levels of viewed as optimistic – such as graduates unemployment are partly due to the government’s own austerity policies and many or those recently made redundant. economists have criticised the government for not adopting policies focused on economic The Department of Work and Pensions growth (as they have in the USA, Iceland, Germany and elsewhere).’ (DWP) told the BBC (tinyurl.com/q33yc7a) that Friedli and

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Stearns’ report was not based on fact but rather anecdotal evidence from blogs and social media. ‘We know that being unemployed can be a difficult time, which is why our Jobcentre staff put so much OUTSTANDING IMPACT IN time and effort into supporting people back into work as quickly as possible. We offer support through a range of schemes so that SOCIETY FOR KITZINGERS jobseekers have the skills and experience that today’s employers need,’ they said. Psychologist Professor Celia Kitzinger (University of York) has, The report also criticised the British Psychological Society, with alongside her sister Professor Jenny Kitzinger (University of the authors writing: ‘BPS has confined itself to saying that such tests Cardiff), been awarded an ESRC prize for ‘Outstanding Impact must be administered by experienced users of psychometrics under in Society’. The pair were recognised for their online resource supervision of a chartered psychologist.’ supporting relatives of patients in long-term coma-like states. However, Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes, BPS President, In 2009 the researchers’ sister Polly Kitzinger was severely responded with concern over the issues raised (tinyurl.com/nme2fb7). brain-injured in a car accident. ‘It was this personal experience He said in a statement: ‘We are concerned at what the paper has combined with talking to other families on the hospital ward revealed, particularly the issue of coercion to undertake and discovering the shortage of reliable information that led us psychological interventions. Friedli and Stearn suggest that to research this area,’ Professor Jenny Kitzinger explains. unemployment is being rebranded as a psychological disorder, Working in partnership with Sue Ziebland from the Health with an increasing range of interventions being introduced to Experience Research Group, Oxford University and the DIPEx promote a “positive” psychological outlook or leave claimants to charity, the pair set up a steering group composed of face sanctions.’ A later statement called for ‘a dialogue with the representatives from the brain injury charity Headway, family government about applying psychological methods to public policy members, and health professionals from intensive care and that emphasise best practice, trust, efficacy and appropriateness. neurorehabilitation. They interviewed 65 people with a family There must be public confidence in psychology as a person-centred member in either a prolonged vegetative or minimally science. It should not be used for financial, political or ideological ends. … Individual wellbeing, not resource rationing, must be conscious state, discovering that family members were central to policy decisions about the use of psychology in the struggling with feelings of isolation, guilt and confusion as well benefits system. We have yet to be assured this is the case.’ as incorrect legal guidance, poor information and inadequate This report follows news in the 2015 budget that online CBT support. would be available to 40,000 claimants of Jobseekers’ Allowance The team put together an online resource of more than and Employment and Support Allowance, and that IAPT therapists 250 film clips of family members talking about what it is like would be located in at least 350 jobcentres by the end of the to have a relative in a vegetative or minimally conscious state summer. At the end of June, psychologists and clients marched on (there are up to an estimated 64,000 people in the UK in long- Streatham Jobcentre in protest over the plans. Back in March, the term ‘comas’). ‘It explores the issues they find most DWP had announced that Streatham would be the first centre giving challenging,’ says Professor Celia Kitzinger. The healthtalk.org mental health support to help unemployed people back into work. online resource has provided information and support to Several groups, including Psychologists Against Austerity, attended thousands, and led to training sessions in hospitals, the demonstration. One of their members, Dr David Harper, a rehabilitation centres and care homes. The research directly Reader in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London, informed the Royal College of Physicians’ National Clinical spoke to us about his long-standing concerns over what he sees Guidelines on Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness and led as the ‘anti-therapeutic’ approach of the UK government (see box, to the inclusion of specific guidelines on the family's role in and search ‘austerity’ at http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk). decision making and guidance for clinicians and families about The Society has also released a briefing paper calling for the law. The findings were cited in recommendations by the thorough reform to Work Capability Assessments (see House of Lords Select Committee on the Mental Capacity Act tinyurl.com/qguswec). This call to action highlighted a growing 2005, and transformed thinking on ‘coma’ by offering more body of evidence that seriously ill people were being inappropriately nuanced representations of the vegetative/minimally conscious subjected to these assessments, and said these do not effectively state through, for example, the Radio 3 programme Coma measure fitness for work and can produce inappropriate outcomes Songs (co-produced by Jenny Kitzinger), which reached 59,000 for claimants. It quoted the conclusion of the 2014 review by the listeners. House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee: ‘Simply ‘We are concerned to ensure the highest-quality support rebranding the WCA by taking on a new provider will not solve the for family members of people in long-term vegetative and problems… This will be time consuming and complex, but the re- minimally conscious states,’ Professor Celia Kitzinger told us. designed ESA assessment processes needs to be in place by the time ‘Family members often feel tremendous grief and despair a completely new contract, involving multiple providers is tendered about their relative’s situation and some are also very angry at in 2018.’ the healthcare system that has created it. Expression of these The briefing paper called for the introduction of: a reliable, valid feelings tends to be viewed as evidence of pathology – and fully researched method of assessment to replace the Limited “prolonged grief disorder”, “traumatic stress disorder”, et Capacity for Work Questionnaire and the face-to-face Work cetera – to be “treated” by psychologists or counsellors, who Capability Assessment; appropriate training in assessment, scoring can unwittingly become involved in “managing difficult and interpretation for assessors; specialist assessors to assess people families” rather than helping families to address the medical, with mental, cognitive and intellectual functioning difficulties; legal and social contexts which create many of the problems in supervision for assessors from qualified clinicians with expertise in the first place.’ The sisters have run many training sessions rehabilitation, assessment and interpretation; appropriate referral with healthcare professionals to help them to understand and routes for those with mental, cognitive and intellectual functioning difficulties, with specialist assessment and support; and appropriate engage productively with family members in counselling periods of reassessment for people with long-term conditions based settings, best interests meetings, and at the bedside. JS on specialist advice to accurately reflect the prognosis. ER

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 617 news ‘Deeply disturbing findings’ – APA and

An independent report has accused the diminish quickly’. psychologists, worked against him. This American Psychological Association This is perhaps the saddest element process is repeated elsewhere: when Board (APA) of ‘hiding its head in the sand’ of the report, and one that is attracting member Diane Halpern makes the ‘very over so-called ‘enhanced interrogation considerable comment on social media – strong recommendation’ that ‘somewhere techniques’ – commonly known as that the APA’s priorities were found to be we add data showing that torture is torture. The report to the special ‘PR strategy and growing the profession ineffective in obtaining good information’, committee of the Board of Directors of of psychology’, rather than the welfare of an internal staff e-mail exchange quickly the APA (tinyurl.com/q727rl7) concludes the people being interrogated. The report concludes: ‘Hopefully, Diane’s suggestion that key APA officials colluded with the notes ‘many emails and discussions is dead in the water.’ US Department of Defense to implement regarding how best to position APA to Although the task force report ‘loose, high-level ethical guidelines’, and maximize its influence with and build prohibited the involvement of that ‘the handling of ethics complaints its positive relationship with the Defense psychologists in torture, the independent against prominent national security Department, and many emails and review agrees with critics of the APA that psychologists was handled in an improper discussions regarding what APA’s it knew ‘the artificially narrow Justice fashion’. messaging should be in a media Department definition of “torture” We reported on journalist James environment it perceived as hostile’, but …[and] did not necessarily prohibit acts Risen’s expose of the report in June ‘little evidence of analyses or discussions that would properly be considered torture (tinyurl.com/phrqhuj), but the full about the best or right ethical position at most other times’. document – based on review of ‘over to take in light of the nature of the The report accepts that some of the 50,000 documents’, and well over 200 profession and the special skill that detainees in question were hardened interviews of 148 people – is psychologists possess regarding how our members of sophisticated terrorist uncomfortable reading that vindicates minds and emotions work – a special skill organisations, were well trained to resist long-standing critics of the APA on this that presumably allows psychologists to interrogations, and had knowledge that issue. The authors, led by former federal be especially good at both healing and would have been relevant to efforts to prosecutor David Hoffman, say their harming’. prevent future terrorist attacks. But it investigation ‘will help define the meaning Interestingly, the report does include notes that ‘this is not the first time in the of psychology’, warning that when a examples of resistance, notably from history of warfare that this dynamic has profession that ‘can salve our emotional Columbia University professor Michael occurred’ and goes on to quote an traumas… allows for the potential that Wessells (p.22), speaking of the unknown military officer, e-mailed in psychologists will intentionally inflict pain importance of the APA taking a ‘high August 2003 for recommendations about on an individual with no ability to resist, standard’ at a ‘moment of national panic’. interrogation techniques because ‘the regardless of the individual’s background Unfortunately the make up of the APA gloves are coming off regarding these or motives, faith in the profession can task force, weighted in favour of military detainees’. The unknown officer wrote:

Wired for communication

A psychologist whose research website offering news and provide a research-based WIRED2015 in October in resulted in a new approach to reviews in future science, alternative to more traditional London. communication training has culture and technology, as part methods for communication ‘CARM has attracted been awarded a WIRED of its celebration of forward- training. CARM uses audio numerous accolades and Innovation Fellowship for thinking innovators who have and video recordings of real- substantial public interest… 2015. the ‘potential to make a time, actual encounters to it presents a challenge to Elizabeth significant impact on the identify conversational traditional forms of Stokoe, Professor world’. problems and roadblocks as communication training, as of Social Professor Stokoe’s research well as effective practices for a process of turning our Interaction in the uses conversation analysis to avoiding and resolving them. ordinary life conversations Department of understand the organisation of Professor Stokoe said: ‘It’s into something different to Social Sciences, communication in different amazing to find out that I’m look at and learn from.’ JS Loughborough interactional settings, one of the lucky recipients of I Read more about Professor University, is one including mediation, medicine this year’s WIRED Innovation Stokoe and her work in our of 14 Fellows to and police interviewing. She Fellowship, and I’m really March 2013 interview be selected by has developed the excited to speak about the http://thepsychologist.bps.org WIRED, a Conversation Analytic Role- science behind effective .uk/volume-26/edition- magazine and play Method (CARM) to communication at 3/careers

618 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 news torture

intentionally inflict pursue an ethics programme that was psychological or more ‘educative’, and the report notes physical harm on that during his tenure the ‘focus shifted individuals, to “supporting” psychologists, not getting concluding that them in trouble – a strategy consistent ‘APA officials made with the ultimate mission of growing such a decision in psychology’. 2005. Their Chair of the Independent Review’s decision was to Special Committee and former APA keep the limits on President Nadine Kaslow told The this behavior loose Guardian (tinyurl.com/ohzykmr) that and high-level.’ she personally thought ‘the council needs The report to adopt a policy to prohibit psychologists notes (p.299) from being involved in interrogation, that the British people being held in military custody at Psychological Gitmo [Guantánamo] and other sites’. Society came out (Psychologists still operate at with a statement in Guantánamo, as part of the detention ‘We need to take a deep breath and February 2005 that condemned the use of facility’s behavioral-health unit.) remember who we are. Those “gloves” torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading In an APA statement are…based on clearly established treatment in interrogations, combining [http://www.apa.org/independent- standards of international law to which we more general terms with examples of review/independent-review-release.aspx] are signatories and in part the originators. specific techniques. apologising for the ‘deeply disturbing’ … It comes down to standards of right The APA has disclosed that it parted findings and organizational failures, and wrong – something we cannot just ways with Stephen Behnke, its Ethics Kaslow added: ‘This bleak chapter in our put aside when we find it inconvenient … Director for 15 years, on 8 July. Behnke history occurred over a period of years We are American soldiers, heirs of a long was heavily criticised in the report for his and will not be resolved in a matter of tradition of staying on the high ground. ‘remarkably expansive role, well beyond months. But there should be no mistaking We need to stay there.’ the expected duties of APA Ethics our commitment to learn from these The report notes that the profession Director, the result was a highly terrible mistakes and do everything we of psychology must also define for itself permissive APA ethics policy based on can to strengthen our organization for the whether it is ethical and legitimate for strategy and PR, not ethics analysis’. future and demonstrate our commitment psychologists to use their special skill to Behnke had been hired specifically to to ethics and human rights.’ JS N ICK R

Workplace prize AWLE

A Chartered Psychologist a presence in over 15 of the importance of has been recognised by the countries. Willis told collaboration and Australian Psychological The Psychologist: developed a culture Society’s College of ‘Collaboration is of collective or shared Organisational Psychologists widely recognised as leadership.’ for an innovative programme being critical to The Workplace to promote effectiveness in a business success, in Excellence Awards telecommunications company. the global economic celebrate exceptional The programme was environment where achievement and designed and implemented by the digital economy is innovation in the Pauline Willis, a UK-based creating new application of occupational psychologist, and challenges. Feedback psychological principles Dr Josephine Palermo from both Telstra staff in the workplace and (General Manager, Customer and customers recognise best practice in and Collaboration, Telstra identified the potential employee engagement. By organisational psychology. JS Corporation). Telstra is the detrimental consequences harnessing organisational I See www.workplaceexcellenc largest telecommunications of working in silos to both psychology, we designed a eawards.com.au/about-the- company in Australia and has customer experience and program that raised awareness awards

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 619 news 5 minutes with… Dr Helen Cassaday, University of Nottingham

Nikos Logothetis, a director that those working on these potentially medical and some at the Max Planck Institute research questions using is non-invasive and conducted for Biological Cybernetics in monkeys are working outside for the purpose of better Tübingen, Germany, has said of Europe (i.e. Asia) because laboratory-based studies when understanding the animals. he will give up his research they feel they could not there is no alternative, the To the animals’ advantage, on primates ‘as quickly as pursue their research in potential benefit of the the more we know about possible’, citing a lack of Europe. research is clear and the the cognitive and emotional support from colleagues and highest standards of animal capacities of non-human the scientific community as Do you think the public have welfare are applied. Personally, primates, the stronger the key factors in this decision. a good understanding of the as a beneficiary of medical justification for increased In particular, he calls on issues around the use of research, I’d endorse this view. protection, also in the natural organisations worldwide to animals in research? However, I think the use of environment where poaching file criminal charges against The Openness Concordat, alternative species raises is a serious threat to survival. radical activists. You’re the published early in 2014, has similar concerns in that, for We can meanwhile be lead on animal welfare for the the objective to promote example, the use of pigs in confident that laboratory work British Psychological Society’s public understanding of neuroscientific research is on judged to require the use of Research Board – do you feel animal work based on the the increase as an alternative non-human primates will be psychologists who work with increased availability of to the use of non-human done to the highest possible animals receive enough information and potential primates, not so much in the standards in the UK and the protection? public access to animal labs. UK at present but in parts of rest of Europe, such work is I think it’s most important In particular many animal Europe. Pigs too are widely not so highly regulated in to emphasise how highly protection organisations would viewed as intelligent emotional some other countries. JS protected primates are by like greater availability of animals. I For more, including comment UK and European legislation. images, including CCTV. Not all ‘psychology’ from a research Under UK Home Office However, Logothetis’ work research can or should be neuroscientist, see the online legislation (www.gov.uk/ was the subject of a broadcast considered medical or version tinyurl.com/pqdg5qz research-and-testing-using- on German national television animals), special protection in September that showed begins with the octopus and footage filmed by an non-human primates are most undercover activist working QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS highly protected. Research on at the institute. Logothetis has chimpanzees and gorillas said the footage is inaccurate, would be illegal and the use presenting a rare emergency A psychology professor who has spent her career researching of new world monkeys such situation following surgery human face perception, person memory and social cognition as marmosets is highly as typical and showing stress has been made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Vicki restricted – the number of behaviours deliberately Bruce (Newcastle University), who is also a former BPS non-human primates used prompted by the undercover President and carried out research for the Royal Mint in in research is kept as low as caregiver. So it’s possible that designing the £1 coin, said she was overwhelmed by the award. possible, and rats and mice are video footage can be Professor Bruce, who previously received an OBE, was often used as alternatives. So misinterpreted. Data on the awarded her DBE for services to the legislation is ‘speciesist’ numbers of animals entering higher education and psychology. based on current regulated procedures can also She told The Psychologist: ‘When the understanding of neurological be interpreted in different letter arrives you are simultaneously complexity and sentience, but ways and the purpose of the shocked and delighted, but not no rat or mouse is used either research may not be accurately allowed to tell anyone until the list if the scientific objective could described in press releases appears weeks later, and sad, be addressed by the study of issued by animal protection because Mum and Dad are no longer humans or the use of a organisations. FOI requests with us. computer simulation. for example have been causing ‘Then there’s a large dose of The remit of my BPS role some problems – especially in impostor syndrome, which I hadn’t felt doesn’t extend beyond the US, not just for animal for a while, but will probably stay with me welfare of non-human researchers. until my own grave. And then when the list appears… amazing! primates but as a Home Office It's been really touching hearing from people from way back, licence holder I’m not feeling Do you think primate and I hope it’s good for psychology. I’m proud for our particularly protected at research still has a place in discipline.’ present. I have spoken to UK psychology? researchers who say that The UK Home Office position An OBE was also awarded to MOD psychologist Dr Susanne animal models are of great on this is that primates should McGowan for services to armed forces personnel. She said: importance in their field but only be used for invasive

620 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 news US jail appointment

A clinical psychologist has been appointed head of one of the USA’s largest prisons, where around a third of inmates are mentally ill. Nneka Jones Tapia has been supervising mental health strategy at the Cook County Jail in Chicago for several years. Reuters reported the prison holds around 9000 inmates with around 25 to 35 per cent of those with a mental illness, a number that has grown in recent years (apparently due to a fall in the number of mental health services). Tapia, now the jail’s Executive Director, will be the first head of a large jail who is also a mental health professional. She said, in an interview reported by Reuters, that most of the mentally ill inmates in Cook County are there charged with low-level and non-violent offences and that some get into jail as a means to receive treatment. She added: ‘I think I can bring a wealth of knowledge to the staff in understanding the inmates.’ Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart also told Reuters that since the 1960s, the number of beds in Illinois’ state-run psychiatric hospitals has fallen to fewer than 1500 from 35,000, which is why there are so many mentally ill people incarcerated. He Prisons have much in common with hospitals as institutions. added: ‘When a third of your population is mentally ill, you sure Both have vulnerable recipients of services, patients and as heck better have someone who understands that at the top.’ prisoners respectively. The UK public sector has, in recent years, We spoke to forensic psychologist, Professor Graham Towl become characterised by more marketisation and the increased (University of Durham) and former Chief Psychologist at the UK segmentation of services. Health professionals including Ministry of Justice for his opinion on the move. He said there psychologists have some potentially useful skills sets for were a number of psychologists in the UK who managed prisons, undertaking such challenging roles.’ ER and added: ‘Health and care professionals who are also effective I To read the Reuters article on this story see tinyurl.com/ngalecu, leaders are very well placed to take on prison manager roles. and for an interview with Nneka Tapia see tinyurl.com/laqckxl

‘I am surprised, stunned, delighted and very pleased to receive this article pointed out this research started at a time the ‘intellectually amazing honour. This came completely out of the blue and I still handicapped’, as people with Down’s syndrome were then known, haven’t got used to the whole thing.’ were ‘regarded as non-persons to be consigned to institutions’. Carr remained close to the families and her 1995 book, Down’s Syndrome: Emma Cravitz has been awarded an MBE for services to children and Children Growing Up, was dedicated to ‘all the young people, and their families particularly in London. Cravitz has worked as an educational families, who have been my friends since 1963 and taught me so psychologist for 20 years and has founded a nursery and three much’. schools, all of which have a focus on inclusivity and support children with special educational needs. She said: ‘When the letter arrived Professor Emeritus Roy McConkey (Ulster I was completely shocked and needed to read it several times before University) has received an OBE for services I could take it in. I feel really honoured to have been given this award to people with intellectual and developmental and still can’t quite believe it has happened.’ disabilities. His career has been devoted to Most recently she co-founded Eden Primary in Muswell Hill, applied research aimed at providing a better a faith-based free school. Cravitz said her particular aim was to life for children and adults with intellectual ensure that all children regardless of their needs would feel disabilities and for their carers. completely included in the school community. In the future, Cravitz He told The Psychologist he was surprised said, she would be keen to set up summer holiday residential camps to receive the award but pleased that his work for young people who have conditions on the milder end of the with a small section of society was worthy of autistic spectrum. She explained: ‘It seems to be a real gap in national recognition. ‘I have had more than my fair share of [career] provision as these young people do not meet the criteria for special highlights. Perhaps my work in developing countries has brought the needs camps yet do not have the social skills to cope with a most rewards both personally and in terms of making an impact in mainstream camp.’ the lives of families. I have been privileged to work alongside some real pioneers and entrepreneurs who have taught me how big Dr Janet Carr has been honoured with an OBE for her work with differences can come from sparse resources,’ he added. people with Down’s syndrome and their families, which has spanned more than 50 years. Last year The Guardian reported that, at the age Also awarded CBEs were Professor Jonathan Paul Nicholl for of 87, she had just completed the longest-running research project services to health research, who was Chair of the Sub-Panel 2 in REF looking at people with the condition. The study began with 54 babies 2014; and Professor Judith Helen Cross, a neuroscientist at UCL and was initially only meant to last for 10 months – as The Guardian Institute of Child Health, for services to children with epilepsy. ER

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 621 news Light and heat in psychosis debate

Ella Rhodes reports on a day of discussion at the University of Bath

Opening this event, organised in response to the Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia report from the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology, Professor Paul Salkovskis expressed a hope that the event would ‘generate light rather than heat during the discussion’. However, he admitted to being ‘perturbed’ by the report because he and others had not been consulted about it. The debate was needed, he urged, to consider other professions’ views and to explore recent science and theory in the area. Professor David Clark, from the University of Oxford and the Clinical Lead behind the government’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (which he developed along with Lord Layard), gave an overview of its successes in treating anxiety and depression. He also gave suggestions to the gathered psychologists and psychiatrists about ways a similar model may be used in helping people with psychosis and schizophrenia, outlining key principles such as a national outcome monitoring system, a national training programme in NICE-recommended CBT treatments, and ambitious and clear access targets. ‘I hope that the principles of IAPT will now be extended to people with bipolar schizophrenia and personality fortnightly one-hour sessions. People work, Freeman worked with a clinical disorders,’ he concluded. ‘To some extent using the service showed improvement in group of 150, all of whom had persistent it’s up to you to ensure it happens.’ wellbeing, distress and social functioning. persecutory delusions, to target these Clinicians need to ‘step up to the plate’, Although not everyone presented at the feelings of worry. All of them had at least embrace outcome monitoring and be clinic with a current hallucination or 50 per cent conviction in their delusions transparent about their data so patients delusion, those who did showed a and had worry levels similar to those in could see if a certain service was likely to reduction in such symptoms. general anxiety disorder. Some were given help. It was critically important, he said, Finally Garety pointed to preliminary a six-week worry-intervention CBT using to have a well-argued economic case; in data from an economic analysis by Paul six booklets of exercises, while others IAPT they could tell the government it McCrone that looked into the costs to the continued their normal treatment. Worry would save more money than it cost. NHS. He compared costs before and after was reduced by eight weeks and remained The results of a trial of an IAPT-type therapy and found crisis team usage and at the same level at the 42-week follow- approach in helping those with psychosis bed costs were reduced. She concluded up. The intervention also caused a and schizophrenia was outlined next by there was clear evidence of demand for reduction in delusions, which also Philippa Garety (King’s College London). CBT in psychosis, good completion rates persisted after 24 weeks. Professor Garety spoke of two sites in and evidence of improvement on a The debate over the potential genetic South London and Maudsley Trust that number of measures. basis for schizophrenia and psychosis has have been the centre of data collection for Daniel Freeman (University of raged for many decades, and Robin a new approach for treating psychosis and Oxford) spoke next, about some new Murray, Professor of Psychiatric Research schizophrenia. The project, which started work targeting the severe paranoid (King’s College London) spoke about the in 2012 and collected data until December thoughts often seen in people who interaction between genes, the last year, included a trust that covers four experience psychosis. He said among the environment, cannabis and social London boroughs with ‘exceptionally psychological factors that maintain such adversity. He began by explaining that high’ levels of psychosis. In this new thoughts is worry – rates of worry people who experience psychosis have an treatment people were offered CBT to between people with schizophrenia and overreactive dopamine system, which can NICE recommendations, a course that those with anxiety disorders are near- be triggered by stress, and social factors lasts six to nine months with weekly or identical. As a result of this and other can make it worse: ‘It’s dopamine that

622 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 news grabs your attention, and it’s dopamine leave us in psychiatry, mental health, providers, the patient’s circumstances that leads to you thinking all sorts of nursing? I think it leaves us in trouble. and wishes, as well as the value of public things around you are significant when Ever so polite but sniping at each other, education about psychosis. Reducing they’re not,’ he said. Other risk factors for and that’s wholly unedifying, privately stigma would make people better psychosis and schizophrenia include drug or publicly. The hopes of people with understand psychosis as well as making abuse, being a migrant, being abused as schizophrenia are raised and dashed at the experience of psychosis in the first a child, and being in an ethnic minority. the same time, how dare we do that? instance easier to speak about. Murray ran through some evidence Clinicians don’t know which way to turn James Coyne (University of showing that those who had experienced and the researchers research. Careers Pennsylvania), who has voiced criticisms childhood abuse or had a disrupted blossom and fade and Rome burns while of the Understanding Psychosis and childhood, but had not suffered the services degrade – something’s wrong Schizophrenia report, put these in some psychosis, also had dopamine here.’ context. He said in the 1980s while dysregulation problems in times of stress. Finally, in a round table discussion working as Director of Research at the Is the answer in the genes? Murray Peter Kinderman (University of Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto concluded with a new study that looked Liverpool), co-author of the DCP report, he witnessed what he described as the into 37,000 cases of schizophrenia and began by promising to involve input from ‘horrible’ Soteria project. He explained found there were at least 108 regions of more people in future, apologising to that participants in the project had acute the genome where there are genes those who did not get advance notice. psychosis and were given just low doses associated with schizophrenia. ‘Individual However, he added that he did not expect of medication. ‘It’s important because it risk genes are neither necessary nor to be consulted on every report in a informs my perspective a lot of what sufficient to cause schizophrenia… rather, relevant field. Professor Kinderman we’re hearing about dealing with people they increase the risk.’ moved on to criticisms of the report’s with severe mental disorder, we’ve been A new video that aims to normalise content, saying that much of it had been there, tried it and it didn’t work… Some opinions of psychosis among the general from those who did not share the views of horrible chaos ensued, horrible public, and to inform them about the authors, but that a report should not exploitation of some patients by other compassionate relating treatment, was be criticised through misrepresenting its patients, and when it finally collapsed, we shown by Dr Charles Heriot-Maitland content. He added that although he tried to revive the project not to continue (King’s College London). The video expected to find the conference at with this way of dealing with patients but (compassionforvoices.com) tells the variance with his world view, he had to make sense of what had happened. We fictional story of Stuart who experiences actually agreed with all that was applied for NIMH funding to do follow- voices and seeks help from a therapist. presented and felt that it was compatible ups. It was soundly rejected, the reason Developed with Dr Eleanor Longden and with the content of the report. being all the clinical data on these Dr Rufus May, psychologists who have Next, psychiatrist and epidemiologist patients was very experiential not both had personal experience of Dr James McCabe (King’s College categorical.’ psychosis, it outlines three emotional London) shared his views on whether Coyne said this experience told him systems – threat, drive and soothing – we should view psychosis as being on there was a necessity for precision of and how these can be regulated with a continuum or in categories – a topic observation as well as categorisation. compassion training. also included in the DCP report. Viewing He also raised concerns that quotes in Next to speak was Coordinating psychosis on a continuum captures more the DCP report were not from psychotic Editor of the Cochrane Schizophrenia information and can sometimes be patients, adding: ‘I think studies that Group, Clive Adams (University of helpful for those experiencing a first simply involve checklist assessments of Nottingham). The group aims to identify episode of psychosis, to know a large anomalous experience really don’t add all trials worldwide into schizophrenia, proportion of the normal population to our understanding.’ He concluded: and reviews evidence from around the occasionally have psychotic symptoms. ‘I think the UK is committed to studies world on the prevention, treatment and But when scientists are confronted by that are next to worthless in looking at rehabilitation of people with psychotic masses of confusing data, categorising it the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural illnesses. Adams spoke about managing can be useful. McCabe concluded with therapy. They’re committed to studies that bias when reviewing studies, the history some of his current work looking to make comparisons of routine care that’s and future of investigations, and the develop new ways of describing groups not adequately quantified or standardised. importance of using real-world measures of people that are likely to respond to And I think, deliberately, the people who in trials. particular treatments, rather than just are doing CBT research avoid Moving on to the controversial their symptoms. comparisons with minimal active evidence around the use of CBT in Dr Rachel Churchill, a psychiatric treatment conditions like befriending.’ treating psychosis, Adams outlined a epidemiologist from the University of The final discussion involved several review by Chris Jones in Birmingham, Bristol, gave a professional and personal people with personal experience of who had written: ‘Trial-based evidence perspective on how systematic reviews psychosis/schizophrenia, and Professor shows no clear, convincing advantages and high-quality evidence synthesis can Salkovskis told The Psychologist later that over sometimes much less sophisticated be of immense value. She added that what he took from it, and from the day therapies on average.’ On NICE groups who make decisions that result as a whole, was that there was ‘more guidelines, Adams quoted Udayanga in change to health care use evidence agreement than disagreement, and a Perera and Mark Taylor, who wrote that synthesis: ‘We need to produce evidence consensus to do better’. So in sum, the guidelines for using CBT seem to syntheses directed at these groups to a day with plenty of light and perhaps promote psychosocial interventions make a difference for people who a thawing of relations between various beyond the evidence and to make experience psychosis.’ Churchill said parties in the debate, but heat is likely recommendations based on no evidence it was also crucial to consider the to remain around this important and at all. Adams concluded: ‘Where does this organisation of care between different controversial topic.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 623 news Harrowing stories

‘No-one should be under any illusions, hugely expensive prisons and young offender institutions intervention with are grim environments: bleak and questionable benefits, demoralising to the spirit.’ So warns a concluding that the hard-hitting and affecting new report, experience of living in Changing Prisons, Saving Lives: Report of a prison or a Young the Independent Review into Self-inflicted Offenders Institution Deaths in Custody of 18-24 Year Olds is not conducive to (http://iapdeathsincustody.independent.go rehabilitation. ‘Young v.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Harris- adults do not have Review-Report2.pdf), which concludes ‘an enough activities, such intense one year period’ for the Harris as education or work, Review. which will enable them The Review panel, led by Lord Toby to live purposeful lives. Harris and including forensic psychologist Additionally, we heard Professor Graham Towl, was set up by the frequent examples of Justice Secretary to consider self-inflicted medical and mental deaths in custody amongst 18- 24-year- health appointments olds. ‘All self-inflicted deaths are a being missed because tragedy’, the Review website notes, ‘and there are not sufficient we want to ensure those that occur whilst staff available to escort ‘Whatever the events that led to them ending up in custody, individuals are under the protection of the the patient.’ It calls for those young people were also someone’s son or daughter, state are subject to the most thorough ‘an inherent shift in the sister or brother, partner or even parent.’ scrutiny.’ philosophy of prison in The report makes powerful reading, this country’ recommending that the in the first place.’ and Lord Harris writes evocatively and Ministry of Justice publishes a new Professor Graham Towl is Pro Vice with obvious gratitude towards the statement on the purposes of prison, Chancellor and Deputy Warden at families of the 87 young people whose where the primary purpose is Durham University. He is a Professor of cases were considered in detail. ‘Listening rehabilitation, and which acknowledges Forensic Psychology and was formerly to the harrowing stories of families who that all persons deprived of their liberty Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of have lost their loved one through a self- shall be treated with respect for their Justice. He told us: ‘In public health terms inflicted death in custody has been a human rights. prisoners are a vulnerable group on a humbling experience, and one that the Individual cases do not make easy range of measures with high needs for panel and I will remember for a long reading for anyone involved in the justice psychological support. I would encourage time,’ Lord Harris said. ‘Whatever the system. The inquest into the death of 16- the National Offender Management events that led to them ending up in year-old Joseph Scholes in Stoke Health Service to build on previous and existing custody, those young people were also Young Offenders Institution in 2002 work and employ a broader range of someone’s son or daughter, sister or concluded that ‘risk was not properly applied psychologists to deliver services brother, partner or even parent.’ Sir recognised and appropriate precautions reflecting the full range of the needs of Winston Churchill’s sentiment of 1910 is were not taken to prevent it’. Or, as members of the public who happen to be pushed to the fore: ‘there is a treasure, if Joseph’s note to his parents put it: ‘I tried prisoner.’ you can only find it, in the heart of every telling them and they just don’t fucking We asked Lord Harris what his main man’. listen.’. message for psychologists was. He said: As of 31 December 2014, 101 people The report makes a number of ‘The need for proper mental health under 24 had died in prisons since April concrete recommendations, including support for prisoners came across loud 2007, another 14 since the cohort whose around safer cells, the importance of and clear in the evidence we considered. case studies were considered in detail for family contact and liaison, and the It is important that when prisoners the report. ‘Each of those deaths creation of a new specialist role focused encounter psychologists in prison that represents a failure by the State to protect on rehabilitation. ‘Delaying action until they can feel confident that the the young people concerned,’ chides the the resource position is easier is not an psychologist is there to help them and will report. ‘That failure is all the greater option,’ the report warns. ‘Unless progress prioritise their well-being and safety. A because the same criticisms have occurred is made on the proposals that we have kind and compassionate ear may well do time and time again. Our findings echo made, young people will continue to die much to save the lives of some of our the criticisms and recommendations made unnecessarily in our prisons and we will most vulnerable citizens.’ JS consistently and repeatedly throughout continue to waste countless millions of I Read an advance publication of Graham the last fifteen years and more. Lessons pounds in failing to rehabilitate those who Towl and Tammi Walker’s article on have not been learned and not enough could be rehabilitated, in locking up those suicide in prisons (www.thepsychologist. has been done to bring about substantive for whom a non-prison option would be bps.org.uk/prisoner-suicide). The Society change. This time, following this Review, more appropriate, and in failing to will be publishing a Call to Action and it must be different.’ intervene early enough to prevent people Briefing Paper on suicide, led by the The report argues that prison is a from entering the criminal justice system Research Board, later in the year.

624 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 news

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT It’s in the eyes SURVEY A project to investigate the diagnostic disorders than any current blood, The Wellcome Trust, Royal Society and 13 power of eye-movement abnormalities in radiology or gene-based tests of which other financial supporters of publicly funded psychiatric disorders has been given £1.4 they are aware. research have come together in a consortium million of funding by the Department of The new funding will allow the team to review public engagement with research in Health and Wellcome Trust. Saccade to potentially replicate their findings on higher education, research institutes and Diagnostics Ltd, a spin-out company of larger sets of patients with schizophrenia, clinical settings across the UK. the University of Aberdeen, will carry out bipolar disorder and recurrent depression. Research company TNS-BMRB has been their research along with teams from They will also test patients with a range commissioned by the consortium to carry out Aberdeen and the University of of other psychiatric disorders, such as an attitudinal survey of researchers and Edinburgh. borderline personality and obsessive those working in a public engagement role. Recent research from psychologist and compulsive disorders, as well as large The work aims to create an evidence base eye-movement expert Dr Philip Benson, numbers of diagnostically challenging around the understanding of, and and Professor David St Clair, a clinical cases and normal controls. participation in, public engagement with academic psychiatrist (both from the The company will be involved in research. University of Aberdeen), has shown taking the technology through product The survey will build on the 2006 Royal promising results. A range of tests based development, regulatory approval and Society Survey of factors affecting science on simple eye-movement recordings taken field trials before it can be made available communication, to ascertain changes in the by a fast camera as a person watches commercially. sector since then and to provide a pictures was effective at diagnosing a Dr Benson commented: ‘Many benchmark for future research and will range of major psychiatric disorders challenges lie ahead translating our include all academic disciplines. The (see the paper in Biological Psychiatry: research findings into a technology that consortium also includes organisations such tinyurl.com/oatq8ze). Ultra-rapid can be used clinically. I am thrilled to be as the British Academy and Research ‘saccades’ were analysed by computer playing such a key role in its Councils UK. The results are due to be algorithms to generate different patterns. development. It is rare in medicine for an announced in the autumn. ER The researchers say their eye-movement individual to have the opportunity to take technology performs better at a discovery all the way through from PSYCHOLOGIST APPOINTED distinguishing different psychiatric bench to clinic.’ ER EXPERT The Health and Safety Executive has appointed a psychologist in its new committee of experts who will aim to give independent advice on workplace health. The Practitioner standards Workplace Health Expert Committee is made up of nine members, including Chartered Psychologist Emma Donaldson-Feilder, who The Health and Care Professions Council Society who have made recommendations will give opinions on emerging issues and (HCPC) has published revised standards and worked closely with us to review the trends, new evidence relating to existing of proficiency for practitioner standards. The changes made to the issues and, on the quality and relevance of psychologists. profession-specific standards for the evidence base on workplace health The standards of proficiency are the practitioner psychologists will ensure that issues. professional standards that every they reflect current practice. Responding The group will provide scientific and registrant must meet in order to become to the consultation, we have particularly medical advice to the HSE’s Chief Scientific registered, and must continue to meet in focused on the language and terminology Advisor and Director of Research Professor order to remain on the HCPC Register. used to ensure that it is both relevant and Andrew Curran and to its board. One of its The standards set out what professionals appropriate.’ main focuses will be on chemical and should know, understand and be able to Mark Forshaw, Chair of the British physical hazards and human behavioural or do to practise safely and effectively. Psychological Society’s Membership organisational factors in the workplace that The standards of proficiency are Standards Board, said: ‘We naturally could lead to physiological and psychosocial divided into generic standards (which welcome updates to the HCPC standards, ill health. apply to all HCPC-regulated professions) which are based upon a process of Ms Donaldson-Feilder said she was and standards specific to each profession. consultation but which also reflect the delighted to have been invited to be part of The revised profession-specific standards independence of the HCPC as a regulator. the committee: ‘I very much hope that this for practitioner psychologists are reflective The Society maintains its own definitions new committee can make a difference in of the seven areas or ‘domains’ of practice of Chartered Psychologist status, which ensuring work enhances, and doesn’t of the psychology profession, with specific we present to the world as a set of damage, workers’ health across the UK. standards relating to each: clinical, additional standards beyond benchmark I am particularly delighted to provide input as counselling, educational, forensic, health, threshold competence.’ JS a psychologist as I believe the psychological occupational, and sport and exercise I The standards are available from and social aspects of work are key,’ she psychologists. www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/ added. Michael Guthrie, Director of Policy standards/standardsofproficiency. The I Read more about Emma in our August and Standards, commented: ‘We are HCPC will work with education providers 2013 issue (at tinyurl.com/edfpsych) grateful to the British Psychological to implement the new standards.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 625 What the textbooks don’t tell DIGEST you about psychology’s most famous case study

It’s a remarkable, mythical tale with once and dealing politely with non- lashings of gore – no wonder it’s a English-speaking passengers. The latest favourite of psychology students the simulations of his injury help explain his world over. I’m talking about Phineas rehabilitation – it’s thought the iron rod Gage, the 19th-century railway worker passed through his left frontal lobe only, who somehow survived the passing of a leaving his right lobe fully intact. three-foot long tamping iron through the Yet, the textbooks mostly tell a Psychology heaven and hell different story. Of the 21 that cover Gage, only four mention the years he Wednesday 9 December worked in Chile. Only three detail his 7-10pm mental recovery. Fourteen of the books tell you about the first research that Senate House, London attempted to identify the extent of his brain injuries, but just four of the books #digestblog10 give you the results from the most technically advanced effort, published For further information and booking in 2004, that first suggested his brain www.bps.org.uk/digest/10 damage was limited to the left frontal lobe (see video at tinyurl.com/p5dgvlz). Only nine of the books feature either of the two photos to have emerged of Gage in recent times. So the textbooks mostly won’t tell you about Gage’s rehabilitation, or provide you with the latest evidence on his injuries. Instead, you might hear In Teaching of Psychology how he never worked again and became Toddlers learn better when you a vagrant, or that he became a circus make them giggle freak for the rest of his life, showing off front of his brain and out the top of his the holes in his head. ‘The most In Cognition and Emotion head. What happened to him next? egregious error’, says Griggs, ‘seems to If you turn to many of the leading be that Gage survived for 20 years with There is probably nothing more fun than introductory psychology textbooks the tamping iron embedded in his head!’ making a baby or toddler laugh. And now (American ones, at least), you’ll find the Does any of this matter? Griggs there’s news that it could even help with wrong answer, or a misleading account. argues strongly that it does. There are learning – the toddler’s not the adult’s. Richard Griggs, Emeritus Professor of over one and half million students In the first study to look at the effects Psychology at the University of Florida, enrolled in introductory psychology of humour on learning at such a young age, has just analysed the content of 23 courses in the US alone, and most of Rana Esseily and her colleagues began by contemporary textbooks (either released them are introduced to the subject via showing 53 18-month-olds how to reach a or updated within the last couple of textbooks. We know from past work that toy duck with a cardboard rake (other years), and he finds most of them contain psychology textbook coverage of other toddlers who had spontaneously used the distortions, omissions and inaccuracies. key cases and studies is also often rake as a reaching tool were excluded). It needn’t be so. Thanks to distorted and inaccurate. Now we learn Crucially, half the participating toddlers painstaking historical analysis of primary that psychology’s most famous case were given several non-humorous sources (by Malcolm Macmillan and study is also misrepresented, potentially demonstrations of how to use the rake to Matthew Lena) – much of it published giving a misleading, overly simplistic reach and pull the duck nearer. In these between 2000 and 2010 [for example, see impression about the effects of Gage's straight demonstrations, the experimenter ‘Looking Back’, September 2008] – and brain damage. ‘It is important to the was smiley, but just played with the duck the discovery during the same time psychological teaching community to for a bit after getting hold of it. The other period of new photographic evidence of identify inaccuracies in our textbooks toddlers were given several humorous post-accident Gage, it is now believed so that they can be corrected, and we demonstrations. In this case, after getting that Gage made a remarkable recovery as textbook authors and teachers do hold of the duck, the experimenter suddenly from his terrible injuries. He ultimately not continue to “give away” false threw it on the floor and smiled. Sixteen of emigrated to Chile where he worked as information about our discipline,’ the 37 toddlers in the jokey condition a coach driver, controlling six horses at Griggs concludes. CJ laughed at least once when shown the funny demonstrations.

626 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 digest

Here's a technique that helps self-critical people build confidence from a taste of success In Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Last week Kathleen finally put aside her minutes to prepare and then make a fears about public speaking to give a speech to camera on the topic of transition presentation… and it went pretty well! But to college life, a fairly easy one to tackle. when you caught her at lunch today and Each participant then watched themselves asked if she wanted future opportunities to on video, with the experimenter offering present, you found she was as pessimistic reassuring feedback and implying that they about her ability as ever. did surprisingly well. This story reflects an unfortunate The same participants then engaged in truth: people with low self-belief are liable directed abstraction (or the control ‘how’ to hold on to negative assumptions about query) before being thrown once more into themselves despite concrete evidence of the breach with a second speechmaking the contrary; that is, they fail to ‘generalise experience, this time on a tough topic, with from success’. Thankfully, in a new paper, no coddling feedback afterward – this was Celebrating a decade of the psychologist Peter Zunick and his the real deal. Did the directed abstraction British Psychological Society’s colleagues describe a technique, called Research Digest blog directed abstraction, that can help the self- critical change their mindsets. Direct abstraction means stopping to consider how a specific success may have more general implications – this is the abstraction part – and also ensuring this thinking is directed towards how personal Supported by qualities were key to the success. Let’s see what this means in practice. In a first study, 86 students guessed the number of dots flashed up on screen, www.psypress.com and were given fake but convincing positive feedback on their performance. Half the students were then asked to explain how they completed the task, which kept their thoughts on a very concrete, specific level. Next, the researchers placed the rake The other half were prompted to engage in participants gain confidence from their early near each toddler’s hand, to see if they directed abstraction by completing the success that could survive a rockier second would imitate the action and use the rake to sentence: “I was able to score very high round? They did, reporting more confidence reach the duck for themselves. Among the on the test because I am: ... ” This query is for future public speaking than their peers. laughing toddlers, all but one (93.7 per cent) not about how, but why – a more abstract The technique seems to be appropriate used the rake to reach the duck. In consideration – and also focuses on the for a range of settings, although obviously comparison, just 19 per cent of the non- individual’s own qualities. it’s only useful to use it following an event laughing toddlers in the jokey condition Engaging in directed abstraction that can be reasonably seen as a success, used the rake, and just 25 per cent of the 16 appeared to give a particular boost to those otherwise it could backfire. And it’s simple toddlers who had been given the straight participants who’d earlier reported believing to use to help a friend or yourself, just by (non-jokey) demonstrations. they have low competence day to day: taking the time after a success to think ‘Our results suggest that laughing afterwards, they not only had more through what it owes to your personal might be a stimulant of learning even confidence in their estimation ability (than qualities. Then confidence can follow. AF during the second year of life,’ the similarly self-critical researchers concluded. However, they control participants), conceded that there are other possible they also believed The material in this section is taken from the Society’s interpretations of their findings. For they would do better Research Digest blog at www.bps.org.uk/digest, and is example, perhaps infants who laugh at at similar tasks (like written by its editor Dr Christian Jarrett and jokes are just more cognitively advanced guessing jelly beans contributor Dr Alex Fradera. and that’s why they showed superior in a jar) that they learning (although if that were true, you’d faced in the future. Visit the blog for full coverage including references and also expect a similar range of ability in the In another links, additional current reports, an archive, comment, control group, which wasn’t found). Or experiment, Zunick’s our brand new podcast, news of an exciting live event maybe it‘s not laughter per se that aids research team sifted (see above), and more. toddlers’ learning, but any kind of positive through hundreds of emotion. ‘Further work is clearly now students to find 59 Subscribe to the fortnightly e-mail, friend, follow and required to elucidate the question of the with low faith in their more via www.bps.org.uk/digest mechanisms underlying this effect of public speaking laughter on infants’ learning,’ the skills. Each of them researchers said. CJ was given a few

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 627 digest

Is dyslexia associated with exceptional visual-spatial abilities?

In Current Psychology

Children and adults with dyslexia have reading skills that are weak relative to their overall intelligence. That’s why it is often referred to as ‘specific learning disability’. But what if such a profile also tended to be associated with exceptional strengths in other areas, such as visual skills? That’s certainly what some experts have proposed, for example based on the observation that people with dyslexia are overrepresented in fields that involve visual-spatial abilities, such as art and architecture. Now a team led by Mirela Duranovic has tested 40 children aged 9–11 and diagnosed tests, including the mental rotation of On memory for simple geometric with dyslexia, on a range of tests of imagery shapes; copying a complex, abstract figure shapes there was a tendency for the and visual memory. The children with (the so-called Rey-Osterrieth Figure); and dyslexic children to underperform. And on dyslexia performed similarly to 40 age- following the beginning of a line to the end, one test, the children with dyslexia clearly matched, non-dyslexic controls on most through a tangle of other lines. performed worse than the controls: this was drawing the Rey-Osterrieth Figure from memory. However, on yet another test, the dyslexic children excelled, outperforming LINK FEAST the controls. This was the Paper Folding Test, which requires looking at a depiction How I Overcame the Fear of Public Speaking of how a piece of paper is folded and where Organisational psychologist Adam Grant shares his experience for the Quiet a hole is punched through it, and then Revolution website. judging which one of several illustrations www.quietrev.com/overcome-your-fear-of-public-speaking correctly depicts how the paper will look once unfolded again. The Data or the Hunch? The superior performance of the ‘More and more decisions, from the music business to the sports field, are being dyslexic children on the Paper Folding Test delegated to data,’ writes Ian Leslie in a feature for Intelligent Life. ‘But where does is intriguing – this test is arguably more that leave our intuition?’ challenging and complex than simple http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/features/data-or-hunch mental rotation tasks, and involves a larger sequence of mental steps to complete. Face It, Your Brain Is a Computer This new study adds to a complicated, ‘Airplanes may not fly like birds, but they are subject to the same forces of lift and contradictory literature on visual spatial drag,’ writes Gary Marcus in the New York Times. ‘Likewise, there is no reason to skills in dyslexia, filled with studies that think that brains are exempt from the laws of computation.’ have reported no differences between www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/opinion/sunday/face-it-your-brain-is-a- dyslexic people and controls, deficits in computer.html dyslexic groups, and advantages in dyslexia. More research is now needed to explore I Once Tried to Cheat Sleep, and For a Year I Succeeded why the currently reported dyslexia For one year, Akshat Rathi managed to keep up the Everyman Sleep Schedule: advantage was observed: what is it about 3.5 hours at night and 3 x 20-min naps in the day. the mental processes involved in the Paper http://qz.com/430415/i-once-tried-to-cheat-sleep-and-for-a-year-i-succeeded Folding Task that meant the dyslexic children performed better than controls? Please, Corporations, Experiment on Us Also, will the finding replicate, and will it A psychologist and ethicist argue that it's better to test out what works in our best generalise to other tasks that require the interests, rather than powerful people and corporations relying on their gut instincts. same mental processes? www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/opinion/sunday/please-corporations-experiment- ‘Connecting dyslexia to talent leads on-us.html us in a more optimistic direction than only associating dyslexia with a deficit,’ the The Hard Science of Oxytocin researchers concluded. ‘The revelation It's been dubbed the ‘cuddle hormone’ because of its role in love and bonding, but of talent in individuals with dyslexia opens new findings show this is a gross oversimplification. Helen Shen reports for Nature. a door to more effective educational www.nature.com/news/neuroscience-the-hard-science-of-oxytocin-1.17813 strategies and for choosing professions in which individuals with dyslexia can be successful.’ CJ

628 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 digest

The monster in the mirror In Journal of Health Psychology DIGEST DIGESTED Full reports are available at www.bps.org.uk/digest One of the participants in an upsetting series of new interviews says she once We’re three times more likely to cheat on our last stared into the mirror for 11 hours straight. opportunity to do so, on average, according to a coin-flipping She was looking, searching, trying to find study. Researchers say the motivation is the anticipated a perspective where she felt good enough regret of missing the last opportunity, not because of about herself to be able to go outside. weakened willpower. Journal of Personality and Social The woman in question, Louise, has Psychology body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is defined by psychiatrists as a disabling and Expert philosophers are just as irrational in their thinking as the rest of us. Hundreds of distressing preoccupation with a perceived them were found to be as prone as non-philosophers to so-called framing effects and order physical flaw or flaws. For their study, effects when faced with moral dilemmas. This was true even when they were prompted to Joanna Silver and Jacqui Farrants at City take their time and be extra reflective. Cognition University in London interviewed 11 such people (four men) about their relationships Thinking about the future can make it harder for us to recall autobiographical memories on with mirrors – an important, but previously a similar topic. This interference effect adds to other evidence that has suggested the same unexplored aspect of their condition. The brain mechanisms are involved in remembering the past and imagining the future. Quarterly participants’ reasons for mirror gazing were Journal of Experimental Psychology complex and contradictory. Jane describes mirrors as ‘f*cking bastards’ and mirror A survey of Harry Potter gazing as a ‘form of self-harm’. Others fans has found they tend spoke of the practice as masochistic and to have personalities that addictive and imprisoning. ‘It’s just like match the characters who I need to look,’ said Hannah. ‘I do feel kind belong to their favourite of bereft if there are no mirrors.’ House: Gryffindor fans The participants also described what were the most they perceived as the ugliness of the person extraverted, Hufflepuffs staring back at them. ‘I look like a monster,’ more agreeable, said Hannah. Jenny said she is ‘truly Ravenclaws sought more hideous’ and ‘repulsive’. The participants ‘need for cognition’, and questioned how other people could bear to Slytherins reported more look at them. Jane said, ‘How don’t people ‘"Dark Triad’ personality throw up every time they seem me?’ traits. Personality and To catalyse the interview process, the Individual Differences researchers asked their participants to bring in photographs that represented their A series of meta-analyses of over a hundred studies has found little support for the popular experience of BDD and mirror gazing. Chris idea that willpower is a ‘limited resource’ that runs out with repeated use. Unlike a previous brought a photograph of the Sponge Bob influential meta-analysis that supported that theory, the new analyses included unpublished cartoon character, which he said shows the data. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General ‘hideous’ image with ‘really protruding teeth’ that he sees in the mirror. Jenny New findings suggest that the memorability of a face is affected by its emotional expression brought a photo of a Raggy Dolls reject bin and the congruency of that emotion with the wider context. So, for example, if you smile at and Louise shared her ‘getting ready a party, people are later more likely to remember your face and where they saw it. Acta station’ featuring stop watch and scissors Psychologica for scratching the desk-top in frustration. The researchers said their participants’ Researchers need to experiences could be understood in terms beware that people who first described by the French philosopher volunteer for free brain Merleau-Ponty: ‘…it seems that participants scans may differ in do not experience their body as a “lived systematic ways from body” but instead as an “objectified body”.’ those who decline. A new While they cautioned that the findings of this survey of older adults study may not generalise to all people with found that brain scan BDD, the researchers said their results volunteers were more highlight an important aspect of the likely to be younger, condition that is not found in standard male, better educated, textbook accounts. ‘Detailed accounts given married, employed, and by participants suggest that mirror gazing mentally and physically in BDD is a complex and embodied healthier. Brain Imaging phenomenon and it is vital that health and Behaviour psychologists ask clients open questions about their individual experiences at the mirror,’ they concluded. CJ

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 629 “People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.” Epictetus

Practitioner of the Year Award

The Professional Practice Board invites nominations Diploma course in CBT/REBT for this annual award to recognise, promote and reward good practice. starting 5th September 2015 in London. Award – Commemorative certificate. REBT is one of the main models of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), developed by Albert Ellis. Eligibility – Practitioners who are Chartered Psychologists. It is expected that nominees will either have introduced new • Unique CBT training based on the framework of Rational Emotive services or demonstrated best practice in the preceding Behaviour Therapy, a trans-diagnostic model to help with a wide twelve months that address the criteria variety of psychological and personal issues. • A humanistic, goal directed, action orientated, philosophical model. Nominations – should include: A 1000-word narrative highlighting achievements and • Theory and process designed for change at core belief level. grounds for proposing the candidate • Considerable evidence to demonstrate REBT’s eff icacy and/or Full CV eff ectiveness in dealing with a range of psychological problems. Names and addresses of three referees (including at • Useful for treating clinical, sub-clinical and non-clinical problems. least one work colleague of the candidate) • A CPD opportunity to broaden your current therapeutic skills. Any other relevant supporting documents • Modular courses, which allow you to tailor learning to both your professional training needs and personal budget (Courses each Nominations should be sent to the Chair of the Professional held over a 6-month period -1 weekend per month) Practice Board at the Society’s office to arrive no later than Tuesday 1 December 2015. Download our prospectus at www.cbttherapies.org.uk Email us at [email protected] Call us on 020 3752 6568 Further details are available from Carl Bourton at the Society’s Leicester office (e-mail: [email protected])

Childhood sexual abuse – Impact and interventions Friday 30 October 2015 Edinburgh Napier University

For further information or to book go to: www.kc-jones.co.uk/cdtoct2015

630 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 EMDR Training Schedule 2015/2016 Fully accredited EMDR trainings for Psychologists Sussex Mindfulness Centre EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and EMDR-Europe Association (EMDR-E) accredited trainings conducted by Alexandra (Sandi) Richman, 2016 Training in Adapted Chartered Psychologist. Learn how to integrate this evidence-based Mindfulness-Based Approaches therapy into your existing clinical skills. (for non 8 week courses) Richman EMDR Training offer small interactive EMDR trainings (max 20 participants), incorporating the complete ‘standard’ EMDR training • 5 and a half day training from February to November 2016 in Brighton • Based on regular personal practice, day retreat, reading, refl ective accredited and approved by EMDRIA/EMDR-Europe plus an Intermediate writing and tutorial workshop between Part I and Part 3 training. After Part I participants • Develops competence and confi dence in delivering mindfulness-based are able to practice EMDR and Part 2 revises the protocol and offers interventions • £1,900 for the whole course supervision of case material. Part 3 training teaches EMDR with more complex cases and offers further case consultation. For more information about the course, a handbook and an application form, please go to: http://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/mindfulness-training EMDR 2015 Trainings are as follows: Applications should reach the Sussex Mindfulness Centre electronically at (London unless otherwise indicated) [email protected] by 13th November 2015. For further information please contact [email protected] Part 1 (3 day training) or call 01273 716573. 16 - 18 September 2015, 21 - 23 October 2015 (Leicester), 2 - 4 Mindfulness Conference and December 2015, 27 - 29 January 2016, 9 - 11 March 2016 Part 2 (1 day training) Master Classes – 2015-16 3 September 2015, 30 September 2015, 14 October 2015 (Glasgow), Annual conference and a series of one and two day workshops in Brighton 4 November 2015, 10 December 2015, 11 December 2015 on mindfulness-related topics. Upcoming events include conference on 18th September on Compassion with Prof. Michael West, Andy Bradley and Part 3 (3 day training) Philippa Spicer. Plus events led by John Peacock, Greg Madison, Devin 9 - 11 September 2015, 15 - 17 October 2015 (Glasgow), Ashwood and Melanie Fennel in 2015-16. For details of these and other 18 - 20 November 2015, 3 - 5 February 2016 events, visit: http://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/day-retreats-and-drop-ins or contact [email protected] or call 01273 716573. For more information contact Mary Cullinane, Training Co-ordinator. Tel: 020 7372 3572 Email: [email protected] www.emdr-training.com

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• Autumn 2015: 22-25 October & 5-8 November, London Mindfulness Training Ltd. Essential Obesity: Psychological Approaches Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training(ACT) 3 days drawing from counselling, clinical and health psychology with Extended with RFT and FAP approaches to change the lives of overweight adults. All our ACT trainers are ACBS peer reviewed Including assessment of your learning through regular supervision • Summer 2016: 2-4 June 2016, London 1. ACT Experiential Introduction with Martin Wilks & Henry Whitfield Nutritional Interventions for Eating Disorders 26-27 Sept + 17-18 Oct 2015. 3 days teaching practical and effective 2. ACT Intermediate level skills training with Martin Wilks & Henry treatment of nutrition-related aspects Whitfield 21-22 Nov + 5-6 Dec 2015. of eating disorders. 3. Fortnightly supervision including feedback on recordings, with Martin Wilks. • 26-28 November 2015 London 4. New Online Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (FAP) Training starting 1st Oct 2015 with Jonathan W. Kanter.

View a prospectus for each course online at: MBCT Experiential Intro with Martin Wilks 12-13 Sept + 10-11 Oct 2015. www.eating-disorders.org.uk (select ‘Training’) Location: 5mins walk from Kings Cross, London NW1. Or call 0845 838 2040 for further info. Tel: 020 7183 2485, email: [email protected]

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 631 your family, right? Unfortunately, research suggests otherwise. A longitudinal study following 96

ARTICLE Dutch workers in the two weeks before their vacation found that health and wellbeing decrease in the last week before Making holidays work departure. This decline was related to rising levels of workload and was even With the holiday season in full swing, work and organisational psychologist more pronounced in women, who Jessica de Bloom takes a tour of the world of vacation research additionally experienced a rise in home load (Nawijn et al., 2013). And more danger lurks in the transition phase ‘How long should a man’s vacation acations are considered a source of between busy working weeks and a be?’ was the title of an article in the happiness and an essential ingredient holiday period. New York Times in 1910, in which Vfor quality of life (Filep, 2012; Physical complaints within the first businessmen, academics and Richards, 1999). As the longest chunk of days off seem to be a widespread problem politicians discussed whether leisure time that relieves people from job with different names, such as transitory vacations for the working classes stress and leaves them free to do as they stress, environment shock or leisure were necessary and why. Today, please, holidays are viewed as a means to sickness (see also tinyurl.com/pvngj7t). European workers enjoy a preserve and to restore full working Several studies suggest that the start of a minimum of 20 days paid annual capacity. holiday period is for many people spoiled leave (plus statutory days) and the But holidays also come at a price. In by high blood pressure, poor sleep quality, tourism industry employs more the UK, a legal minimum of 5.6 weeks of bad mood and lack of initiative, as well as than 260 million people worldwide. annual vacation adds up to roughly 840 more serious bodily symptoms such as Does that mean we have the million unproductive fever, migraine or an answers to the intriguing questions days. In addition, upset stomach (Blasche C raised in a newspaper more than each British family HRISTIAN et al., 2012; Pearce, 100 years ago? spends about two 1981; Vingerhoets & K Not quite. months’ salary on OBER Van Huijgenvoort, /J

Our journey will pass major their holidays. Are OHN 2002).

theories and milestones of vacations worth this W The etiology of these research on recovery from work, investment of time ARBURTON phenomena is not yet and get an overview of findings on and money? What well understood, but -L

vacation effects. As a souvenir of benefits can EE many symptoms show P your trip, you’ll be given some employees expect HOTOGRAPHY a striking resemblance to practical tips to make the most of during their time off immune reconstitution your next holiday. and after returning inflammatory syndrome, to their work? Is which originates in there anything sudden deprivation of people can do to Are vacations worth the time corticosteroids, major stress increase or prolong and money? hormones (Nehls, 2012; Van De Bloom, J. (2012). How do vacations the benefits of their Heck, & Vingerhoets, 2007). affect workers’health and well-being? Vacation (after-) effects and the role of vacation? And do holidays render Imagine the reaction of your car engine if vacation activities and experiences. employers a recovered, productive you changed from fifth gear directly to resources (PhD), Radboud University Nijmegen, and better-performing work force? first gear. In the same manner, a stressed ‘s Hertogenbosch: BoxPress. human body working on full-speed in the Zijlstra, F.R.H. & Sonnentag, S. (2006). weeks preceding a holiday has trouble Work and rest: A topic for work and Pre-vacation perils with downshifting in a flash. organizational psychology [Special The next holiday is booked. In the Let’s say you are able to smoothen the Issue]. European Journal of Work and coming weeks, you can lean back and transition period and master the start of Organizational Psychology, 15(2). dream about relaxing under a palm tree, the holiday without any complaints. drinking cocktails and quality time with Which benefits are still to come? Is a

Binnewies, C., Sonnentag, S. & Mojza, Psychology, 83, 419–441. Cooper, H., Nye, B., Charlton, K. et al. De Bloom, J., Geurts, S.A.E. & Kompier, E.J. (2009). Daily performance at Blasche, G.W., Arlinghaus, A. & Dorner, (1996). The effects of summer M.A.J. (2013). Vacation (after-) effects work: Feeling recovered in the T.E. (2014). Leisure opportunities and vacation on achievement test scores. on employee health and well-being, morning as a predictor of day-level fatigue in employees. Leisure Review of Educational Research, 66, and the role of vacation activities,

references job performance. Journal of Sciences, 36, 235–250. 227–268. experiences and sleep. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30, 67–93. Blasche, G.W., Weissensteiner, K. & De Bloom, J., Geurts, S.A.E., & Kompier, Happiness Studies, 14, 613–633. Binnewies, C., Sonnentag, S. & Mojza, Marktl, W. (2012). Travel-related M.A.J. (2012). Effects of short De Bloom, J., Geurts, S.A.E., Taris, T.W. E.J. (2010). Recovery during the change of residence leads to a vacations, vacation activities and et al. (2010). Effects of vacation from weekend and fluctuations in weekly transitory stress reaction in humans. experiences on employee health and work on health and well-being. Work job performance. Journal of Journal of Travel Medicine, 19, well-being. Stress and Health, 28(4), & Stress, 24, 196–216. Occupational and Organizational 243–249. 305–318. De Bloom, J., Kompier, M., Geurts, S. et

632 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 making holidays work

vacation worth the extra effort and preparation stress at work and at home? When workaholics take a break Holiday resort as last resort? N On the positive side, two long-term What happens when ORDIC

epidemiological studies have suggested perfectionists and P HOTOS that you may actually lower your risk of workaholics – employees cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and who are cognitively /AWL I

even premature coronary death (Eaker et preoccupied with their MAGES work – go on a holiday? al., 1992; Gump & Matthews, 2000). L One study was part of the famous, still Two studies, two possible TD ongoing ‘Framingham Heart Study’, scenarios. a study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Boston University Study 1: that has been medically examining In a study published in the healthy adults annually since 1948 in Journal of Applied Psychology order to investigate the relation between in 2012, Paul Flaxman and cardiac health, lifestyle, environmental his team followed a group of factors and inheritance. They identified 77 academics before, during infrequent holidays as an important risk and after Easter holiday. factor for heart diseases. They compared self- or at least think about their conclusions. In line with However, these two studies and reported changes in work, resembling a state of Scenario 2, perfectionists a third study by a team of Japanese wellbeing between people withdrawal. Accordingly, and workaholics enjoy highly researchers (Tarumi et al., 1998) also scoring high or low on wellbeing will go down. comparable levels of well- found that people who go on vacation perfectionism. being to the non- regularly tend to have a healthier lifestyle Scenario 2: preoccupied workers during in general, for instance regarding Study 2: For persons who are the vacation period, while smoking, exercising, sleep and nutrition. In a study on three-week preoccupied with their work, their wellbeing was lower This shows that in order to fully summer holidays, published a vacation may constitute before the start of the understand the potential benefits of in Stress and Health in 2014, one of the very rare chances holiday. However, right after vacations, longitudinal, individual-level De Bloom, Radstaak et al. to psychologically disengage returning to work, the studies that investigate people’s health tracked wellbeing in 54 from work, relieving the preoccupied workers and wellbeing before, during and after Dutch employees workers from their usually experience a sudden drop vacation are needed. categorised as high or low high levels of job stress. The in wellbeing. Vacationing In 2009 we meta-analysed the on workaholism. physical distance from the seems to offset available evidence about vacation effects office may translate into characteristic differences in on employee health and wellbeing (De Scenario 1: psychological distance from wellbeing between workers Bloom, 2009). Until then, only seven The dutiful workers miss work and weaken the with and without the studies had systematically examined these their work, feel bad or even workers’ tendency to worry tendency to worry about effects. They revealed small decreases in guilty whenever they leave about their job. Accordingly, their work. Perfectionist and exhaustion and health complaints as well their office. Consequently, wellbeing will go up. workaholic workers seem to as small increases in life satisfaction after free time comprises a gain more in terms of vacation that had vanished within two to deprivation of their ‘drug’ Results and conclusion: wellbeing by going on a trip, four weeks after resuming work. and it may be extremely Both studies arrive at but they also lose more upon In order to gain more detailed difficult for them not to work strikingly comparable returning. information on the development of wellbeing, our research team from the Radboud University Nijmegen in the found that self-reported employee health of this improvement was medium-sized in Netherlands set up a series of longitudinal and wellbeing, measured with one-item terms of effect sizes. Within the first week studies in about 250 Dutch employees indicators via telephone interviews, of resuming work, workers’ wellbeing (De Bloom et al., 2010, 2012, 2013). We increased during vacation. The magnitude lapsed to pre-vacation levels, regardless of

al. (2009). Do we recover from to creativity’? Tourism Management, recovery activities? European Journal et al. (2007). Seasonal variation in vacation? Journal of Occupational 44, 164–171. of Work and Organizational Psychology, surgical outcomes as measured by Health, 51, 13–25. Derks, D. & Bakker, A.B. (2012). 23, 1–11. the American College of Surgeons’ De Bloom, J., Radstaak, M. & Geurts, S. Smartphone use, work–home Eaker, E.D., Pinsky, J. & Castelli, W.P. national surgical quality (2014). Vacation effects on behavior, interference, and burnout: A diary (1992). Myocardial infarction and improvement program. Annals of cognition and emotions of study on the role of recovery. Applied coronary death among women: Surgery, 246, 456–465. compulsive and non-compulsive Psychology, 63, 411–440. Psychosocial predictors from a 20- Filep, S. (2012). Positive psychology and workers. Stress and Health, 30, Derks, D., ten Brummelhuis, L.L., Zecic, year follow-up of women in the tourism. In M. Uysal, R. Perdue & J. 232–243. D. & Bakker, A.B. (2012). Switching Framingham Study. American Journal Sirgy (Eds.) Handbook of tourism and De Bloom, J., Ritter, S., Kühnel, J. et al. on and off…: Does smartphone use of Epidemiology, 135, 854–864. quality-of-life: The missing links (2014). Vacation from work: A ‘ticket obstruct the possibility to engage in Englesbe, M.J., Pelletier, S.J, Magee, J.C. (pp.31–50). Dordrecht: Springer.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 633 making holidays work

the type or length of their holiday. decrease in school performance is related In line with the conservation of Subjective vacation experiences, such as to a lack of practice and differential resources theory (Hobfoll & Shirom, relaxation, pleasure in and control over availability of learning materials, meaning 2001), recovery researchers have one’s daily activities, turned out to affect that well-off parents practise maths and speculated that long periods of free time wellbeing changes more than the type of reading with their kids during holidays would enable workers to restore lost activity people engaged in during their while poorer parents don’t. resources, which they could use after trip. So much for schoolchildren. But starting to work again. Correspondingly, These individual-level findings have how about working adults, who have a series of diary studies in Swiss and recently been supported by Terry Hartig considerably shorter holidays than school German samples have indeed proved that and his team’s study of national level kids and different tasks awaiting them on workers who feel mentally and physically drug consumption and vacationing. return? Fascinatingly, a study (discussed refreshed in the morning experience their By combining data from the Swedish on National Public Radio: work as effortless, are willing to help pharmacy corporation, tinyurl.com/l2qmt3v) has described colleagues and display other forms of the national health care rather similar declines in organisational citizenship behaviours as system and performance for surgeons. Jason well as high self-rated task performance governmental data on “…holidays can Hockenberry and Lorens Helmchen (Binnewies et al., 2009, 2010). vacation taking in the actually work (2014) compared mortality rates for What might the size of such an effect period between 1993 for employers” patients whose surgeon has be? In a CNBC interview, audit firm and 2005, they laid bare operated the previous day and executive Maryella Gockel claimed that a significant relationship patients whose surgeon had not. They ‘for each 10 vacation hours a person took, between the number of people on found a small increase in mortality rates we found on average that performance vacation and a decline in antidepressant in the latter group. Even though the effect reviews were 8 per cent higher’. Findings consumption (Hartig et al., 2013). was very small and there are possible from the few existing scientific studies on Summing up, vacations from work alternative explanations such as this topic seem to match this claim. Using seem to have positive, though short-lived scheduling the sickest patients first after samples of German and US workers and effects on wellbeing. This is particularly the surgeons’ return, this study suggests repeated measurements before and after so for vacationers who are able to relax, that time off work may result in skill the respite, Fritz and Sonnentag (2006) have fun and enjoy high levels of depreciation in highly specialised and Lounsbury and Hoopes (1986) found autonomy during their trip. But happy professions. Please note that this study that employees rated their job workers are not necessarily productive, was conducted in the United States, performance higher after taking a holiday. high-performing workers. So, what can where employees are entitled to a meagre In addition, a study by Mina Westman bosses expect when granting their staff 10 days of annual leave. How would the and Dahlia Etzion (2001), involving a time off? results look in Europe, where each sample of 87 Israeli blue-collars workers worker enjoys a more lavish allowance? before and after a factory shutdown, Actually, several international studies found that rates for short absenteeism for A ticket to high job have reported spikes of hospital fatalities unclear reasons (i.e. without medical performance? due to medical errors and complications attest), decreased from 63 per cent before Surprisingly, systematic research on the in summer time, a phenomenon referred to 44 per cent after the company holiday. relation between vacationing and job to as the ‘July effect’ or, more dramatically, It appears that holidays can actually work performance is scarce. Let’s first look at the ‘killing season’. It is speculated that for employers. the evidence generated by a team of this effect is mainly related to the influx researchers from the University of of newly qualified doctors during this Missouri-Columbia and Tennessee State time of the year and seasonal variations Recover to discover University, who reviewed 39 studies about in complaints (due, for example, to heat According to a press release of the US school performance after summer waves). But according to Michael Travel Association, two out of three holidays (Cooper et al., 1996). Compared Englesbe and his research team in their American executives believe that with spring achievement test scores, 2007 paper, the absence of experienced vacationing improves creativity at work. pupils performed worse after summer senior staff due to vacation schedules may The ability to ‘think outside the box’, holidays, especially in maths and spelling. exacerbate the problem. to produce novel, original and useful This decline was even greater in pupils Does this mean employers should problem solutions, is vital to drive from lower socio-economic backgrounds. rather try to prevent their staff from civilisations forward and adapt to change The researchers hypothesise that the taking holidays? Better not! (Hennessy & Amabile, 2010).

Flaxman, P.E., Ménard, J., Bond, F.W. & psychology. American Psychologist, multiple risk factor intervention trial. Conservation of Resources Theory: Kinman, G. (2012). Academics’ 56, 218–226. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62, 608–612. Applications to stress and experiences of a respite from work. Fritz, C. & Sonnentag, S. (2006). Hartig, T., Catalano, R., Ong, M. & Syme, management in the workplace. In Journal of Applied Psychology, 97, Recovery, well-being, and S.L. (2013). Vacation, collective R.T. Golembiewski (Ed.), Handbook of 854–865. performance-related outcomes: The restoration, and mental health in a organizational behavior (Vol. 2nd ed, Fredrickson, B.L. (2000). Extracting role of workload and vacation population. Society and Mental Health, rev. ed and exp. ed., pp. 57–80). New meaning from past affective experiences. Journal of Applied 3, 221–236. York: Marcel Dekker. experiences. Cognition and Emotion, Psychology, 91, 936–945. Hennessy, B.A. & Amabile, T.M. (2010). Hockenberry, J.M. & Helmchen, L.A. 14, 577–606. Gump, B.B. & Matthews, K.A. (2000). Are Creativity. Annual Review of (2014). The nature of surgeon human Fredrickson, B.L. (2001). The role of vacations good for your health? The Psychology, 61, 569–598. capital depreciation. Working paper positive emotions in positive 9-year mortality experience after the Hobfoll, S.E. & Shirom, A. (2001). available at: tinyurl.com/kxl6l4e.

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In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that people who have Holiday boosters lived abroad show higher levels of creativity (for an Exercise at the end of your last work day overview, see Leung et al., Job stress activates your body for action by releasing 2008). For instance, stress hormones into your blood stream. Smoothe William Maddux and the transition to lazy life by heading to the gym after Adam Galinsky (2009) your last day at the office. This will help you to conducted several mentally disengage from your work, get rid of the experiments in their lab stress hormones and prevent physical complaints during which students during your first days off work (Vingerhoets & Van had to work on creativity Huijgenvoort, 2002). If you’re a couch potato, try tasks such as the Dunker gradually reducing work hours during your last candle problem, work week and take a firm walk home on your negotiation and drawing last work day. experiences: listen, watch, touch, smell, taste. tasks or the Remote According to the peak–end rule (Fredrickson, 2000), Associates Test. They Set an out of office reply for your work e-mail… we remember particularly well the worst, the best found that students who …and make sure that it’s on until a day after your and the last moments of an experience.For sweet had lived abroad and return. This way, you can sneak back into your office, memories, end your holiday on a high note instead adapted to a foreign prioritise your work and possibly even surprise of spending your last day off cleaning the apartment culture solved the tasks colleagues with an earlier-than-expected reply. and packing. Back at home, use a holiday photo as more creatively than a screensaver on your work computer, meet your students who lacked this Detach and take control new holiday pals again and cook your favourite international experience. Leave your work phone at home, refrain from vacation dish for them. But can considerably checking your e-mails and make clear arrangements shorter periods abroad concerning your availability during your absence. Spread your annual leave also improve creativity? Also remember: getting in touch with the office at Avoid ‘binge vacationing’ – taking only one long To answer this a time that suits you is much better than an holiday per year. Vacation benefits wash out fast, question and to also unexpected call during family dinner. You determine irrespective of the holiday duration. Moreover, it may address the problem of if and when you are available for work! be risky to put all eggs in one basket and hope for reversed causality in the perfect holiday. By planning regular long earlier studies (that is: it’s Start slowly weekends and short vacations, you can achieve a the creative students who Resume work on Wednesdays instead of Mondays healthy work–life balance in order to feel vital all go abroad rather than a or gradually build up working times during your year round. stay abroad making them first week back at the office. In any case, prevent more creative), we set up overtime after work resumption. A stress-free return Make every day a holiday a longitudinal field study to work and relaxing activities during the evening Make optimal use of shorter respites such as lunch (De Bloom, Ritter et al., after work help to preserve positive vacation effects breaks, evening hours and weekends. Integrate your 2014). In this study, we and savour your ‘holiday afterglow’ (Kühnel & personal ‘holiday happiness’ ingredients into examined creativity with Sonnentag, 2002; Strauss-Blasche et al., 2004). everyday life and celebrate mini-holidays at home. the help of an idea- Have a swim in the morning, a nap or a picnic in the generation task in 46 Create and cherish happy holiday memories park during your lunch break. Play board games Dutch workers before and The more senses an experience engages, the more instead of watching TV for one evening per week, or after a three-week summer intensive and memorable it will be (Pine & Gilmore, join a guided tour through your home town. You’ll be holiday. Each generated 1998). So try to mindfully attend to holiday surprised how much there is still to discover. idea was blindly rated by three trained raters independently. Not surprisingly, we found that the ideas after Hemingway. However, it also turned out indicating higher levels of mental the holiday were as original as before. that the range of ideas produced by each flexibility. This means, after returning A trip to Cuba does not make you a person was more diverse after vacation, home from a vacation, workers are

Kühnel, J. & Sonnentag, S. (2011). How and nonwork outcomes. Journal of Cambridge: Cambridge University Pearce, P.L. (1981). ‘Environment shock’: long do you benefit from vacation? Applied Psychology, 71, 392–401. Press. A study of tourists’ reactions to two Journal of Organizational Behavior, 32, Maddux, W.W. & Galinsky, A.D. (2009). Nawijn, J., De Bloom, J. & Geurts, S. tropical islands. Journal of Applied 125–143. Cultural borders and mental (2013). Pre-vacation time: Blessing Social Psychology, 11, 268–280. Leung, A.K-Y., Maddux, W.W., Galinsky, barriers: The relationship between or burden? Leisure Sciences, 35, Pine, B.J. & Gilmore, J.H. (1998). A.D. & Chiu, C-Y. (2008). living abroad and creativity. Journal of 33–44. Welcome to the experience economy. Multicultural experience enhances Personality and Social Psychology, 96, Nehls, V. (2012). Der Fluch der Erholung: Harvard Business Review, 76, 97–105. creativity: The when and how. 1047–1061. Immunrekonstitutionssyndrome [The Pressman, S.D., Matthews, K.A., Cohen, American Psychologist, 63, 169–181. Martindale, C. (1999). The biological basis curse of recovery: Immune S. et al. (2009). Association of Lounsbury, J.W. & Hoopes, L.L. (1986). A of creativity. In R.J. Sternberg (Ed.) reconstitution inflammatory enjoyable leisure activities with vacation from work: Changes in work Handbook of creativity (pp.137–152). syndrome]. tinyurl.com/ls43895 psychological and physical well-

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making holidays work LAN C OPSON /AWL I slightly more likely to consider of these tasks. Accordingly, it MAGES different aspects of a problem seems crucial whether employees and avoid reliance on have the feeling that they can conventional ideas and routine freely decide which activity to solutions. Travel may actually pursue during free time and how broaden the mind! much pleasure they experience It is not yet clear what the while performing this activity. underlying mechanisms for this This is also in line with Ryan type of change are. A prime and Deci’s (2000) self- suspect is removal from work determination theory and other strain. Job stressors such as studies that found that control time pressure and cognitive or over one’s free-time activities is emotional demands deplete key to recovery from work people’s psychophysiological (Blasche et al., 2014; De Bloom resources by demanding et al., 2013; Pressman et al., 2009). constant attention. Stressed people are more likely to display routine, provide some insights (Derks & Bakker, well-rehearsed behaviour patterns, 2012; Derks et al., 2012). The authors No silver bullet because their attention and effort is found that intensive smartphone use In conclusion, a vacation is definitely not focused on salient job stressors. In this during evening hours can hamper a silver bullet that can compensate for a situation, creative ideas are less likely to work–life balance by reducing the constant imbalance between work and come to awareness (Fredrickson, 2001; possibility of engaging in beneficial private life. It may even cause some Martindale, 1999). leisure activities that provide a sense of troubles, as most nations like to enjoy This suggests that moments free mental disengagement from work and their holidays at the same time of the of job stress are important for human help to restore working capacities. year, resulting in staffing problems for functioning. But how often can we Numerous other diary studies, many companies. experience these moments nowadays? led by German professor Sabine Still, there is a lot of scientific Boundaries between work and private Sonnentag, have also shown that mental evidence demonstrating that a holiday life vanish and many people can work disengagement from work during leisure boosts health and wellbeing and everywhere and at any time. Laptops, time acts as a buffer between job demands positively affects work performance, at tablets and smartphones ensure that we and psychological ill-being (e.g. least temporarily. The challenge is to can stay connected to our work around Sonnentag, 2012; Sonnentag & Fritz, make holidays work, that is, making the clock. For many people, vacationing 2014). optimal use of leisure time. Instead of means spending a lot of money to stare While we have generally replicated pondering where to go, how long and at their phone in exotic locations. the findings regarding the importance what to do there, focus on the things of mental detachment in our vacation that really matter: a smooth start of the studies, we did not find strong and vacation period, mental disengagement Always on, never done consistent relations between engagement from everyday worries, pleasure and ‘I am on vacation. Your message is being in work-related activities during autonomy during the holiday, a deleted. Please resend your email after I’m vacation – pretty much the opposite of memorable end of the vacation period back in the office.’ You may receive this mental detachment – and changes in and a gradual return to work. Have reply if you e-mail Daimler employees health and wellbeing. How come? Whilst a happy holiday! during holiday season. They follow the around a third of vacationers worked trend set by another German vehicle- during their holiday at some point, it maker, which shuts down the e-mail appeared that working time during servers after office hours. Are such drastic holidays remained limited to less than Jessica de Bloom measures useful in counteracting the 30 minutes per day for most working is in the School of Social prevailing 24/7 work mentality? Is mental vacationers. Moreover, the majority of Sciences and Humanities at disengagement after work really at stake? employees had complete control over the University of Tampere, Two diary studies across several work whether to engage in work-related Finland days published by a team of researchers activities as well as the type of tasks they [email protected] from the Erasmus University Rotterdam pursued, and the starting and ending time

being. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71, Sonnentag, S. (2012). Psychological domestic demands. Journal of Psychological Topics, 2, 187–200. 725–732. detachment from work during leisure Leisure Research, 36, 293–309. Vingerhoets, A.J.J.M. & Van Richards, G. (1999). Vacations and the time. Current Directions in Tarumi, K., Hagihara, A. & Morimoto, K. Huijgenvoort, M. (2002). Leisure quality of life: Patterns and Psychological Science, 21, 114–118. (1998). An investigation into the sickness: A pilot study on its structures. Journal of Business Sonnentag, S. & Fritz, C. (2015). Recovery effects of vacations on the health prevalence, phenomenology, and Research, 44, 189–198. from job stress. Journal of status in male white-collar workers. background. Psychotherapy and Ryan, R.M. & Deci, E.L. (2000). Self- Organizational Behavior, 36, S76–S103. Environmental Health and Preventive Psychosomatics, 71, 311–317. determination theory and the Strauss-Blasche, G., Muhry, F., Lehofer, Medicine, 3, 23–30. Westman, M. & Etzion, D. (2001). The facilitation of intrinsic motivation, M. et al. (2004). Time course of well- Van Heck, G.L. & Vingerhoets, A.J.J.M. impact of vacation and job stress on social development, and well-being. being after a three-week resort- (2007). Leisure sickness: A burnout and absenteeism. Psychology American Psychologist, 55, 68–78. based respite from occupational and biopsychological perspective. and Health, 16, 95–106.

636 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 ACT as a Brief Intervention Kirk Strosahl Ph.D & Patricia Robinson, PhD

Thursday 26th & Friday 27th November, 2015, 9.30am - 4.30pm | London

Learn this powerful new form of brief therapy in a 2-day “hands- on’ Master Class with the creators themselves: Kirk Strosahl and Patricia Robinson, authors of “Brief Interventions for Radical Change’ Learning Objectives Clinicians are being faced with the ever growing pressures of how to Participants will: optimize client outcomes with as few treatment sessions as possible. • Learn about the evidence for radical change This workshop will introduce participants to ‘Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy’ (FACT), a brief, powerful, contextual in therapy behavioral intervention approach rooted in the three principles of • Try out brief approaches to assessment acceptance, mindfulness and values based change. • Discover brief, accurate case formulation strategies The workshop is super practical, demonstrating and practicing • Plan powerful interventions to specific clinical techniques that make up the FACT approach: Focused improve client openness, awareness contextual interviewing skills, using the Four Square and Psychological and engagement Flexibility Profile to promote rapid case formulation and treatment • Learn to use intervention tools that targeting, and core interventions such as the Life Path and True North have tried and tested with a broad range of exercises. You will come away with a bundle of extra tools for your clients in a wide variety of treatment settings therapy toolkit!

Kirk and Patricia are dynamic and interesting speakers who, through out the workshop will use a combination mini- lectures, Rates experiential exercises, clinical role plays, guided practice and video Super early bird £199 (24th August) demonstrations. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity Early bird £210 (28th September) Standard rate £239 (19th November)

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read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 637 questions about epistemological and ontological (in)coherence have been raised by researchers asking whether and

ARTICLE how different views of knowledge and its Breaking out of acquisition can be combined. One response to these questions is found in the development of pluralistic approaches the silo mentality to research. Developing simultaneously in the UK and the USA (e.g. Frost et al., Rachel Shaw and Nollaig Frost argue for pluralism and mixed methods 2010; Johnson & Stefurak, 2014), forms of pluralism that include methodological pluralism (Frost, 2009), analytical The return to methods focusing on silo, in which systems are unable pluralism (Barnes et al., 2014), language and experience following to operate with any other systems, interpretative pluralism (Coyle, 2010) the dominance of experimental A is perhaps best epitomised within and dialectical pluralism (Johnson, 2012) methods has in the last few psychology by the notion of the ‘paradigm all adopt the view that human experience decades led to debate, dialogue, wars’ (Oakley, 1999). These arose out of is multidimensional and multi- and disagreement regarding the the practices that saw quantitative ontological, that its exploration can be status of qualitative and research methods used separately from better served by combining methods to quantitative methods. However, qualitative methods. At the height of the address the research question in many a recent focus on impact has wars, users of each type of method went ways, and that embracing the differences brought an air of pragmatism to so far as to criticise the other approach, that different paradigms bring can help us the research arena. arguing that theirs was the most better understand the complexities of In what ways, then, is justifiable in the advancement of the human experience and interaction. psychology moving from understanding of human behaviour. In this article we briefly consider the entrenched mono methods With the outbreak of a ‘fragile peace’ history of methods in psychology to approaches that have epitomised (Bryman, 2006) some reconciliation consider how they led to a silo mentality. its development until recently, to between the users of both types of We will consider the ways in which describing and discussing ways in methods took place, and the rise of mixed methods and pluralistic research which mixed and pluralistic mixed-methods research developed address some of the concerns about research can advance and rapidly in psychology. From its origins epistemology and ontology and show contribute to further, deeper as a research paradigm that combines one how they offer a flexible and functional psychological understanding? quantitative method with one qualitative disciplined approach to research into method – in which the qualitative method human behaviour. was originally most often a secondary How can using different methods method used to triangulate or inform provide different insight to human larger-scale more generalisable research – What is the meaning of science? behaviour and experience? mixed-methods research has now evolved The growth and dominance of

questions questions What is the value of combining to include the mixing of more than one experimental methods to understand qualitative methods in applied settings, method with others in multi-method behaviour in psychology was embraced e.g. to understand more about health research (e.g. Brewer & Hunter, 1989) by behaviourists such as John B. Watson and wellbeing? and the prioritising of qualitatively as a response to perceived limitations of oriented research questions in introspection for scientific pursuit. The qualitatively driven mixed-methods science of experience and culture was left Weblink/book/journal article research (e.g. Hesse-Biber, 2010; Mason, behind as psychology focused on Frost, N.A & Shaw, R.L. (2015). Evolving 2006). observable and measureable behaviour. mixed and multimethod approaches These methods have sought to place This provided satisfying ways to place in psychology. In S. Hesse-Biber & the research question back at the centre paradigms of epistemological assumptions resources R.B. Johnson (Eds.) The Oxford of psychological inquiry and avoid the about how valid scientific knowledge can handbook of multimethod and mixed research emphasis being placed on be gathered, drawn largely from the methods research inquiry. Oxford method (a process termed ‘methodolatry’ natural sciences, at the fore of University Press by Curt, 1994). With such developments psychological research, giving it

Banister, P., Burman, E., Parker, I. et al. Oaks, CA: Sage. Coyle, A. (2010). Qualitative research and Reflexivity. Oxford: Blackwell. (1994). Qualitative methods in Bruner, J. (1990). Acts of meaning. anomalous experience. Qualitative Frost, N. (2009). ‘Do you know what I psychology. Maidenhead: Open Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Research in Psychology, 7(1), 79–83. mean?’: The use of a pluralistic University Press. Press. Curt, B.C. (1994). Textuality and tectonics. narrative analysis approach in the

references Barnes, J., Caddick, N., Clarke, N.J. et Bryman, A. (2006). Integrating Buckingham: Open University Press. interpretation of an interview. al. (2014). Methodological pluralism quantitative and qualitative research. Fine, M. (1994). Working the hyphens. In Qualitative Research, 9(1), 9–29. in qualitative research. Qualitative Qualitative Research, 6(1), 97–113. N.K Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.) Frost, N.A. (2011). Qualitative research in Methods in Psych Bulletin, 17, 35–41. Bryman, A. (2007). Barriers to integrating Handbook of qualitative research psychology. Buckingham: Open Brewer, J. & Hunter, A. (1989). quantitative and qualitative research. (pp.70–82). Thousand Oaks, CA: University Press. Multimethod research. Sage Library of Journal of Mixed Methods Research, Sage. Frost, N., Nolas, S.M., Brooks-Gordon, B. Social Research, Vol. 175. Thousand 1(1), 8–22. Finlay, L. & Gough, B. (Eds.) (2003). et al. (2010). Pluralism in qualitative

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recognisable status and acceptance. The dominance of the scientific approach became the consensus amongst Pluralistic method, multiple selves psychology researchers as the best way to understand human behaviour. A new Katsiaficas, D., Futch, V.A., Fine, M. & Sirin, S.R. (2011). Everyday hyphens: Exploring youth identities with concept of science as applied to human methodological and analytic pluralism. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 8(2), 120–139. behaviour was developed and adopted into the mainstream. However, in time, A pluralistic narrative analysis approach was employed in a two-year study to explore the and largely spearheaded by the advent enactment of multidimensional and dynamic identities amongst three adolescent women. of feminist critique of the underlying Participants were selected from a wider sample of assumptions of reality (ontology) and urban youth, attending different schools in New York the validity of scientific knowledge City. Their ethnic backgrounds differed: two were (epistemology), the beginnings of a recent immigrants, one from Tibet and one from scientific revolution took hold. The China, and the third was born to native parents of dissenting and marginalised voices black, Indian and Italian background. Each was began to be raised and led to the ‘turn interviewed about their social, academic and to language’ in psychology. emotional engagement, given sentence completion tasks, and asked to create identity (Years 1 and 2) and learning maps (Year 1). The maps invited participants The turn to language to make visible their selves across place, relations and The cognitive revolution had promised time (Sirin et al., 2010). The pluralistic methods aimed a move away from behaviour towards to gather evidence that better documented social and a more meaningful examination of the academic engagement. human subject. (1990) The materials were analysed within person, across and others were disgruntled with the time, and through the data sources, using a set of theoretically driven codes drawn from the artificial intelligence and information- ‘hyphenated selves’ framework, in which identity is regarded as joined, and separated, by processing models that came to dominate history, socio-political context, geography, biography, longing and loss (Fine, 1994). The cognitive psychology; they were limited analytic dialogue across data was further supported by interpretative dialogues between by their experimental methods and failed researchers in which they used their theoretical and methodological differences as an to ask the bigger questions about the additional resource. nature of human experience. This The study found tensions of loss, longing and disconnect in representations of self. The prompted a shift towards the examination texts provided descriptions of the young women’s lives, the drawings showed them as double of discourse, our means of selves, split into a happy and sad face, a relational devoted self surrounded by friends, and communication, the bedrock of our social a worldly transnational stick figure, and a single blossoming flower. Interpretations enabled existence (well charted in qualitative understanding of struggles against silencing and advocacy, towards bridging family methods textbooks, e.g. Banister et al., obligations and language challenges outside it, and of resistance and engagement within 1994; Smith et al., 1995; Willig, 2008) . different contexts. In the US this movement was led by The pluralistic methods enabled identification of a core dynamic of desire/struggle in the a cry for ‘new paradigm’ research that was adolescents’ development of identities, within emotionally charged constructions of the self. inspired by humanistics and phenomenology (e.g. Giorgi, 1970; Reason & Rowan, 1981). In the UK ‘us–them’ divide that had become evident of the researcher’s role in constructing critical psychology and discourse analysis in experimental psychology; psychology the data beyond ‘experimenter effects’, took to the fore (e.g. Gough et al., 2013; was accused of ethnocentrism, and prioritising the participant’s voice, and Potter & Wetherell, 1987). The result was critical psychologists demanded that the accepting the coexistence of multiple a call for psychological research with power imbalance between researcher and meanings attributed to the same event, people (rather than subjecting them to researched be broken down, or at least state, or text (e.g. Finlay & Gough, 2003; tests and observing them) that might give recognised for what it was (Stainton Shaw, 2010; Smith, 2008). In brief, this voice to participants and improve their lot Rogers, 2003). meant the rejection of positivism and in the world. This emancipatory goal For psychology this meant taking objectivism. Some researchers engaged created a political agenda for research and a critical stance towards the study of with postmodernism, some with social represented a backlash against the human phenomena, building awareness constructionism, and others with

research. Qualitative research, 10(4), in Psychology Bulletin, 17, 49–62. qualitatively driven way. Qualitative and social psychology. London: Sage. 441–460. Hesse-Biber, S.N. (2010). Mixed methods Research, 6(1), 9–25. Reason, P. & Rowan, J. (Eds.) (1981). Giorgi, A. (1970). Psychology as a human research. New York: Guilford Press. McLeod, J. (2005). Counselling and Human inquiry. New York: Wiley. science. New York: Harper & Row. Johnson, R.B. & Stefurak, T. (2014). psychotherapy as cultural work. In Rodriguez, D. & Frost, N.A. (2015, May). A Gough, B., McFadden, M. & McDonald, Dialectical pluralism. Qualitative L.T. Hoshmand (Ed.) Culture, methodological reflection on the M. (2013). Critical social psychology: Methods in Psychology Bulletin, 17, psychotherapy and counselling. application of qualitative pluralistic An introduction (2nd edn). 63–69. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. research to couple relationships. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Kuhn, T.S. (1970). The structure of Oakley, A. (1999). Paradigm wars. Paper presented at the Society for Hiles, D.R. (2014). Qualitative inquiry, scientific revolutions (2nd edn). International Journal of Social Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology mixed methods and the logic of Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Research Methodology, 2(3), 247–254. Second Annual Conference, City scientific inquiry. Qualitative Methods Mason, J. (2006). Mixing methods in a Potter, J. & Wetherell, M. (1987). Discourse University of New York.

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humanistics, existentialism and any research adopting an emancipatory taken; which will in turn denote phenomenology. For all it meant a focus or collaborative inquiry approach was which methods in the ‘toolkit’ are fit on language. expected to use qualitative methods in for purpose; and the data generated that principle; ergo any study using qualitative will determine what method of analysis methods was assumed to fall within this to use; and all of the above will lead to Muddying the waters between ‘new paradigm’ of research. While for particular decisions with regard to critical principle and method a good many years this happened to be evaluation. The discipline within this As a political movement the turn to the case, the two were not fundamentally model of inquiry is manifest in this language initiated a sea-change in the way connected, nor were they mutually directional flow of decisions. Following research is conducted and participants dependent. Nevertheless, the useful this model, the label, ‘qualitative treated. Funding bodies now expect to see shorthand, ‘qualitative psychology’, has psychology’ becomes illogical because it how participants or service users will be gained ground and is now in popular use. prioritises the type of data gathered and involved in the development, running, its method of analysis. evaluation and dissemination of research projects. Furthermore, it is a requirement A more disciplined inquiry for any study involving human Talking of paradigms and epistemology is Mixed methods in psychology participants to be considered by an ethics too ‘heavy’ for most people, but bear with The idea of mixed methods in psychology committee (in the heyday of social us while we attempt to demonstrate how only became viable once qualitative psychology experiments, ethical issues (a) mixing up a type of data (qualitative) methods of generating and analysing were often bypassed or forgotten). An with a discipline (psychology) and data had become more acceptable in extension to this is the current focus on (b) muddying the waters between psychology. Cynically, we could consider impact, which means researchers need to principles (emancipation, giving voice) this as a ‘validation’ of qualitative demonstrate the impact their work will and methods (turn to language) has led methods by using them with quantitative have and how this will to a fundamental methods. Combining methods within and manifest in the everyday lives misunderstanding in across paradigms allowed research of people in the real world. “researchers need to psychology, and thus questions to be asked about how human These changes in the demonstrate the of mixed methods. beings talk and practise themselves into principles of research have impact their work Kuhn’s (1970) particular subject positions and what gone beyond method and are will have” theory of scientific those positions might consist of. It soon far-reaching. In some ways, revolution, notes that became clear that the plurality of methods they are the legacy of the turn it is the paradigm that available within qualitative methodology to language. dictates all subsequent could lead to a toolkit approach where The turn to language has also become research decisions. Hiles’s (2014) model the most appropriate methods are selected synonymous with the growth of of disciplined inquiry also begins with for the research question, such as is seen qualitative methods in psychology. The paradigm, followed by strategy, method, in the pragmatism approach. However, link is understandable because with the analysis and critical evaluation; and it the significance of epistemological turn to language came a focus on quality emphasises the significance of the allegiance in psychology meant instead over quantity (i.e. a focus on examining research question. The formulation of that researchers still opted for their the meanings of textual data instead of the research question is of paramount preferred method, one that fitted with the statistical analysis of numerical data). importance in any research project; their worldview, and moved forward by Using participants’ own words followed decisions that follow should be guided always using that method. Consequently, the principle of working with them and by that question rather than an arguably some qualitative researchers in giving them voice. However, what it has arbitrary preference for quantitative or psychology became known for the also done is to muddy the waters between qualitative data. Indeed, as Hiles (2014) method they use rather than their subject a shift in principles and the use of argued, focusing on the distinction of interest. (quantitative or qualitative) methods. between ‘quantitative’ and ‘qualitative’ Despite this, advocates for increasing The terms ‘qualitative methods’ and research is a red herring; it is flawed logic. qualitative outcome research (e.g. ‘qualitative research’ came to signify more Putting such emphasis on the type of data McLeod, 2005) argue that the use of than a type of data or method; indeed, as misses the point that it is the strategy that qualitative inquiry encourages stated above, qualitative methods were is adopted – the logic of inquiry – that questioning and deconstruction of taken- sometimes referred to as ‘new paradigm’ impacts on research design. Also note for-granted concepts such as ‘outcome’ research. The implication of this is that that the paradigm will guide the strategy and ‘change’. They suggest that instead of seeking evidence based on traditional natural scientific designs and concepts, qualitative research allows for creativity not possible in quantitative work alone Ross, A. (2012). The new pluralism. Smith, J.A. (Ed.) (2008). Qualitative European Journal of Psychotherapy & psychology (2nd edn). London: Sage. (e.g. Mason, 2006) and so also allows for Counselling, 14(1), 113–119. Smith, J.A., Harré, R. & van in-depth enhanced insight into human Shaw, R.L. (2010). Embedding reflexivity Langenhove, L. (1995). Rethinking experience. This has led to an increased within experiential qualitative methods in psychology. London: Sage. use of qualitative approaches alongside psychology. Qualitative Research in Stainton Rogers, W. (2003). Social traditional quantitative approaches to Psychology, 7(3), 233–243. psychology. Maidenhead: Open bring multidimensional research strategies Sirin, S.R., Katsiaficas, D. & Volpe, V.V. University Press. to research questions of lived experience (2010). Identity mapping. Intnl Willig, C. (2008). Introducing qualitative and individual realities (e.g. Bryman, Society of the Study of Behavioral research in psychology. Maidenhead: 2007). It has also led to the emergence Development Bulletin, 2, 22–26. Open University Press. of pluralistic approaches. These allow not

640 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 special feature only for the mixing across paradigms but also within them. Balancing out nicely

Pluralism Muller, I., Kirby, S. & Yardley, L. (2015). The therapeutic relationship in telephone-delivered support for people In its simplest terms pluralism denotes undertaking rehabilitation: A mixed-methods interaction analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 37(12), 1060–1065. diversity – of beliefs, practices, views or opinions. When applied to the conduct This mixed-methods study was conducted within one arm of a trial that tested rehabilitation of research, pluralism suggests the mixing treatment for people with chronic dizziness. A randomised controlled trial within applied of paradigms, data, and/or analysis health research offers opportunities for a number of elements to come together in pursuit techniques to promote engagement with of a particular objective. It is especially useful to employ a number of methods when the diversity, to enter into personal and intervention being tested is complex. methodological dialogue to promote and The intervention reported in this paper involved providing patients with a booklet including foster understanding of research inquiry cognitive and behavioural strategies for balance retraining and therapeutic support by and outcomes (Frost, 2011). telephone. Telephone sessions conducted were recorded and transcribed for analysis. The Combining analytical tools that Rota Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) was used to categorise emerge from different paradigms means utterances against 43 predetermined mutually exclusive that assumptions about the nature of communication strategies. These were then coded to form three reality and the knowledge being sought composite categories of communication within the medical influence the type of research questions encounter: relationship building, therapist dominance, and asked and the way data is interrogated. person-centredness. The outcome measure for the therapy was Thus pluralism advocates mixing working alliance based on subscales relating to goal, task, and paradigms within and across approaches bond (using the Working Alliance Inventory – WAI-S). Bivariate in order to reduce the likelihood of correlations were examined to establish whether there was a reductionism of the data or the meanings relationship between these variables. Person-centredness was within it, to bring different vantage points significantly correlated with goal and bond. to the research. The range of methods The qualitative component of the study explored the content of available to researchers allows for visual, therapy rated to have high and low person-centredness. An inductive verbal, technological and observational thematic analysis was conducted and identified differences between high and low person- datasets to be combined with each other centred sessions in the following themes: unrelated friendly chat, therapist encouragement, and/or with measured statistical data. therapist reassurance of no harm, therapist reacting to participant cues, therapist not Data are transformed within a theoretical reacting to participant cues, and participant concerns. Therapist sessions with high person- and intersubjective framework that results centredness involved more responsiveness to participant cues, more reassurance, and a in the construction of personal and friendly feel. Low person-centred sessions did not involve unrelated chat, encouragement, collective perspectives on lived and therapists were likely to be unresponsive to participant verbal cues. experience and social worlds. ‘Dialectical Here, both methods used are needed to answer the research question about effectiveness pluralism’ (Johnson & Stefurak, 2014) of communication strategies in developing a therapeutic relationship. Implications are drawn actively seeks difference across positivist from both elements of the study, and it is difficult to see how these findings could have been and interpretivist paradigms by explicitly offered without using qualitative and quantitative methods. incorporating stakeholders’ and researchers’ epistemological and social/political values to guide the opportunity to gain more holistic, in- This means developing confidence to research. It aims to combine important depth insight by bringing a range of present what is closer to the dynamism, ideas from competing paradigms and perspectives, each of which is valued chaos and untidiness of human life. Or multiple values into a new socially agreed in relation to the research question. to put it another way, to accept that ‘loose upon whole (Johnson & Stefurak, 2014). It is important however to recognise ends do not have to mean frayed ends’ By considering how each method works the tension inherent in the desire to be (Rodriguez & Frost, 2015) when striving alone and with other methods, pluralistic open and inclusive to practice and to break out of the research silos of approaches set up dialogue across methods whilst also needing to avoid an psychology. methods rather than putting barriers ill-disciplined ‘anything goes’ approach. between them. Clear theoretical foundations that link the selected methods to the focus of the Rachel Shaw is Senior inquiry are key. Ross (2012) suggests Lecturer in Psychology at Concluding remarks developing a ‘pluralism of pluralisms’ Aston University Moving beyond the silo mentality of within the counselling field that will [email protected] qualitative vs. quantitative methods minimise the risk of closing down prompts psychologists to work across inclusivity. Perhaps mixed methods and difference and to work with diversity, in pluralistic researchers can do the same the recognition that human experience and consider ways of holding together is not confined to one way of seeing, multiple accounts in theoretically Nollaig Frost understanding and making sense of the consistent ways. is Senior Lecturer at world (see boxed research examples). Challenges to researchers include Middlesex University Mixed-methods research goes some way staying with the messiness of these London towards this by offering ways to design approaches and resisting the urge to tidy [email protected] research that are both nomothetic and up what is found into neat packages that idiographic. Pluralistic research offers the present only some of what is experienced.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 641 precisely as possible. By isolating such essences from a range of experiences, Husserl argued that it might be possible

ARTICLE to identify the qualities giving a specific experiential phenomenon its distinctiveness. Husserl believed that Learning from the ‘lifeworld’ to do this, it was also necessary to adopt a specific attitude, to suspend – or Joanna Brooks introduces a range of approaches to phenomenology ‘bracket’ – presuppositions and in qualitative psychology judgements so that a clear and unblinkered view of the lifeworld could emerge. This attitude is known as the The term ‘phenomenology’ is lthough different epoché. perhaps not well understood by branches of How far it is possible to fully engage those less involved in qualitative Aphenomenology with and transcend the epoché is a topic research. It has developed and have developed, with of contention for different diversified to encompass a their own particular phenomenological traditions – and it was bewildering array of different variations and in fact a pupil of Husserl’s, Martin traditions and methods. This article emphases, all are Heidegger (1889–1976), who first provides a whistle-stop tour of its usually acknowledged developed an alternative to Husserl’s history, key figures and Dr Joanna as stemming from the original descriptive or transcendental applications in psychology. Leading Brooks work of the founding phenomenology. Heidegger is associated qualitative psychologists then is at the father, Edmund with the development of existential or explain the particular ways in University of Husserl (1859–1938). hermeneutic phenomenology. For which they understand and draw Huddersfield Husserl was concerned Heidegger, we are, as human beings, upon the principles of with developing inseparable from the world in which we phenomenology and apply these in phenomenology as a rigorous alternative live and exist – we exist in the world, their own work. Phenomenological to methods traditionally used by the rather than next to or outside of it. If this psychology may be thought of as natural sciences. These existing methods is the case, then notions of achieving the an umbrella term encompassing were, Husserl believed, inappropriate for epoché as advocated by Husserl become a variety of rich and useful the examination of human experience. In more problematic. Rather than focusing approaches, and this article contrast to notions of an objective reality, on how we know what we know, showcases just some of the ways Husserl suggests that it is in fact only our Heidegger was instead interested in in which a phenomenological experience of the world – namely, direct exploring what it means to live in and stance is being used by qualitative and subjective human experience – that is among a world that is experienced by psychologists in the UK today. ‘knowable’. We can, Husserl argues, only each individual in their own way. really know and understand concepts Heidegger saw our relation to the world when they are grounded in concrete as being always both interpretive and experience. relational – we are always situated in How do you make use of A fundamental concept is the context. This means that to understand phenomenology? lifeworld, the world of lived experience reality, we need to understand both

question question inhabited by us as conscious beings, and detailed experience and the bigger incorporating the way in which picture, and thus factors such as phenomena (events, objects, emotions) language, temporality, history and culture Finlay, L. (2009). Debating phenomenological research methods. appear to us in our conscious experience become important. Neither the whole nor Phenomenology & Practice, 3, 6–25. or everyday life. Husserl conceptualised the individual elements can be really Husserl, E. (1931/ 1967). Cartesian the lifeworld as pre-reflective – that is, understood without reference to the other

resources meditations (D.Cairns, Trans.). The our focus is on what we are perceiving – this is known as the hermeneutic circle. Hague: Martinus Nijihoff. rather than how we are perceiving it. The extent to which the bracketing of Todres, L. (2007). Embodied enquiry. Husserl’s project was to isolate ‘essences’ presuppositions is possible, and the Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. – invariant features and structures of appropriate balance between description phenomena – and to describe these as and interpretation in phenomenologically

Ashworth, P.D. (2006). Introduction to the being, 4, 195–206. Counterfeit money (P. Kamuf, Trans.). the application of the place of phenomenological thinking Ashworth, P.D. (2013). The gift relationship. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. phenomenological method. The in the history of psychology. In P.D. Journal of Phenomenological Dessai, P., Sutton, L., Staley, M. & Humanistic Psychologist, 34(4), Ashworth & M.C. Chung (Eds.) Psychology, 44, 1–36. Hannon, D. (2013). A qualitative study 305–319.

references Phenomenology and psychological Colaizzi, P. (1978). Psychological research exploring the psychosocial value of Giorgi, A. (2009). The descriptive science. New York: Springer. as a phenomenologist views it. In weekend camping experiences for phenomenological method in Ashworth, P.D. (2009). ’s R.S. Valle & M. King (Eds.) Existential children and adolescents with psychology. Pittsburgh, PA: Duquesne ‘psychologist’s fallacy’ and phenomenological alternatives for complex heart defects. Child: Care, University Press. contemporary human science psychology. New York: Open Health and Development, 40(4), Giorgi, A. (Ed.) (1985). Phenomenology and research. International Journal of University Press. 553–561. psychological research. Pittsburgh, Qualitative Studies in Health and Well- Derrida, J. (1992). Given time: 1 Giorgi, A. (2006). Concerning variations in PA: Duquesne University Press.

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informed work, continue to provoke phenomenological thinking to capture the health sciences. We argue that the considerable debate to this day. lived experience whilst recognising method has considerable potential for Heidegger’s writings inspired many research as a dynamic and necessarily qualitative psychologists, especially those other theorists and writers and for interpretative process; Darren Langdridge coming fresh to descriptive phenomenological psychologists, the uses an example from his research on phenomenology. work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty sexualities to describe how his ‘critical Colaizzi’s (1978) distinctive seven- (1908–1961) is often highlighted as narrative approach’, with its explicit focus step process provides a rigorous analysis, particularly influential. Merleau-Ponty on narrative, works with language, power with each step staying close to the data. radically challenged accepted dualist and politics within a phenomenological The end result is a concise yet all- notions prevalent at the time, arguing framework; and Peter Ashworth reflects encompassing description of the that as people are embodied beings, on how his use of a descriptive lifeworld phenomenon under study, validated by we cannot, when considering human approach to phenomenological the participants that created it. The experience, meaningfully detach mind psychology can reveal ‘taken-for-granted’ method depends upon rich first-person from body, nor subject from object meanings in everyday life experience, accounts of experience; these may come (‘There is no inner man, man is in the using the example of gift giving. from face-to-face interviews, but can also world, and only in the world does he This is just a glimpse of the wide be obtained in multiple other ways: know himself’ – Merleau-Ponty, variety of approaches available, but we written narratives, blogs, research diaries, 1945/1962). Much of Merleau-Ponty’s hope that these concise exemplars give online interviews, and so on. The stages work originates from empirical some idea of how phenomenology is are as follows: psychology studies (he held a Chair in being used in psychology today. Child Psychology and Pedagogy at the 1. Familiarisation: The researcher University of Sorbonne in Paris and was escriptive familiarises him or herself with succeeded to this post by Jean Piaget), phenomenology the data, by reading through all the and the productive amalgamation of Dis concerned participant accounts several times. phenomenology and psychology with revealing the 2. Identifying significant statements: The continues today. Phenomenology has ‘essence’ or ‘essential researcher identifies all statements in been an important source of reference structure’ of any the accounts that are of direct for the development of qualitative phenomenon under relevance to the phenomenon under psychology as it provides a philosophical investigation – that investigation. rationale for focusing on the study of is, those features that 3. Formulating meanings: The researcher human experience. Rosie make it what it is, identifies meanings relevant to the However, a considerable array of Morrow, rather than something phenomenon that arise from a careful different traditions and methods is Alison else. By far the best consideration of the significant covered by the umbrella term of Rodriguez known descriptive statements. The researcher must phenomenology. We turn now to a and approach in reflexively ‘bracket’ his or her pre- number of leading qualitative UK Nigel King psychology is that suppositions to stick closely to the psychologists to reflect on some of the are at the of Amedeo Giorgi phenomenon as experienced (though thought-provoking ways they personally University of (1985), who is widely Colaizzi recognises that complete draw upon phenomenological principles Huddersfield credited as a pioneer bracketing is never possible). and approaches in their work. Rosie in bringing 4. Clustering themes: The researcher Morrow, Alison Rodriguez and Nigel King phenomenological clusters the identified meanings into outline Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive thinking into psychology. Giorgi’s method themes that are common across all approach to phenomenology – little can be seen as a form of distillation, in accounts. Again bracketing of pre- known in psychology but widely used which the analyst step by step sifts away suppositions is crucial, especially to in other fields – using an example from everything that is not essential to an avoid any potential influence of a study on the experience of camping; adequate description of the phenomenon. existing theory. Jonathan Smith uses two examples from It is, however, not the only descriptive 5. Developing an exhaustive description: his recent research into depression and phenomenological method in the social The researcher writes a full and chronic pain to demonstrate how his and human sciences. We focus here on inclusive description of the approach to experiential research a method proposed by Colaizzi (1978), phenomenon, incorporating all the (interpretative phenomenological analysis which is little-known in psychology but themes produced at Step 4. or IPA) draws on a range of widely used in other disciplines, such as 6. Producing the fundamental structure:

Husserl, E. (1983). Ideas pertaining to a (Original work published 1890) difference. In L. Finlay & K. Evans functions of exchange in archaic pure phenomenology and to a Kirkham, J.A., Smith, J.A., Havsteen- (Eds.) Relational centred research for societies. London: Routledge. phenomenological philosophy: First Franklin, D. (2015). Painting pain: An psychotherapists. Chichester: Wiley- (Original work published 1925) book (F. Kersten, Trans.). Dordrecht: interpretative phenomenological Blackwell. Merleau-Ponty, M. (1962). Phenomenology Kluwer. (Original work published analysis of representations of living Mair, D. (2010a). Mind the gap? of perception. London: Routledge and 1913) with chronic pain. Health Psychology, Unpublished doctoral thesis, Kegan Paul. (Original work published Husserl, E. (2001). Logical investigations, 34(4), 398–406. Metanoia/Middlesex University. 1945) Vol. 1 (2nd edn) (D. Moran, Ed.). Langdridge, D. (2007). Phenomenological Mair, D. (2010b). Fractured narratives, Morrow, R. (2013). A study to explore the London: Routledge. psychology: Theory, research and fractured identities. Psychology & lived experience of camping and James, W. (1950). The Principles of method. Harlow: Pearson Education. Sexuality, 1(2), 156–169. associated effects of escapism: A Psychology. Vol. 1. New York: Dover. Langdridge, D. (2009). Relating through Mauss, M. (1990). The gift: Forms and green exercise approach. Master’s

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The researcher condenses the While the fundamental structure is the approaches in qualitative psychology. IPA exhaustive description down to a end-point of the analytic process, the aims to provide an in-depth and nuanced short, dense statement that captures main themes from which it is derived are analysis of participants’ accounts of their just those aspects deemed to be themselves useful to explore and present. lived experience. For much of IPA, the essential to the structure of the Thus in Morrow et al. (2014) we focused experience in question is one of major phenomenon. particularly on the theme of ‘Relationship significance or existential importance to 7. Seeking verification of the fundamental maintenance’. the participant. Much of the early work structure: The researcher returns the The final step in Colaizzi’s method, was in health psychology, but IPA is now fundamental structure statement to all returning the results to the participants, used to address questions in a wide range participants (or sometimes a sub- is a controversial one, criticised by Giorgi of areas both within and beyond sample in larger studies) to ask (2006), who stated that the researcher psychology. While IPA originated in the whether it captures their experience. and participant inevitably have different UK, it is increasingly being used in many He or she may go back and modify perspectives – the researcher from a countries. earlier steps in the analysis in the light phenomenological perspective and the IPA represents an attempt to put of this feedback. participant from the ‘natural attitude’ (our some of the philosophical principles of everyday taken-for-granted perception of phenomenology into practice in the form Morrow (2013) used Colaizzi’s method to the world). This echoes a wider debate in of a methodology that can be used for explore the lived experience of camping, qualitative research as to the value of empirical research in psychology and with a particular interest in its impact on ‘respondent validation’ or ‘member related disciplines. It does not privilege relationships. While there is a substantial checking’. We would certainly agree that any one phenomenological theoretical literature on the use of structured any notion that participants can simply position but draws on the range of camping-based interventions as a form of rubber-stamp an analysis as ‘correct’ is phenomenological thinking. It tries, as therapeutic intervention (e.g. Desai et al., untenable. Nevertheless, given the aims far as possible to go ‘back to the things 2013), there is very little about how of descriptive phenomenology, it is not themselves’ (Husserl, 1900–1901/2001), people experience everyday unstructured unreasonable to expect that they should p.168), to capture personal lived recreational camping. Four participants be able to recognise their own experience experience in its own terms, as opposed were recruited on the basis that they had in the fundamental structure. to those prescribed by existing scientific recently embarked on an unstructured Descriptive phenomenology is or personal presumptions. However, IPA camping trip. Through using Colaizzi’s especially valuable in areas where there recognises this process as an method, five themes were identified: is little existing research, as was the case interpretative process and is therefore ‘Getting away’, ‘Relationship in the example we have given of the influenced by hermeneutics and maintenance’, ‘Tranquillity and experience of recreational camping. For Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenology. relaxation’, ‘Appreciation of the natural psychologists, Colaizzi’s method offers IPA is meticulously idiographic, environment’ and ‘Freedom and a clear and systematic approach; its requiring the in-depth examination of adventure/exploration’. Following the thematic nature may be more familiar and each case in its own terms before moving seven-step process, an exhaustive accessible than the ‘distilling’ style offered to the next case. What comes out of this description was created, which was then by Giorgi. process is a detailed and nuanced analysis condensed into a fundamental structure of convergence and divergence in of the lived experience of camping: nterpretative participants’ accounts of experience. IPA Camping provides the ideal escape phenomenological is not in principle averse to moving to for friends and couples alike. The Ianalysis (IPA) was more general claims, but such a move for tranquil and relaxing environment developed and IPA will be a slow, painstaking one. provides the ideal setting for articulated as a Following from IPA’s micro-lens is a relationship maintenance and particular approach to particular concern with the value of the reinforcement with friends and conducting gem (Smith, 2011), the small extract that partners, whether there are issues Professor experiential research offers powerful illumination of the topic to resolve or otherwise. The freedom Jonathan in psychology (Smith under investigation. IPA is described as experienced by individuals Smith is at 1996). Since then it involving a ‘double hermeneutic’, as it encouraged adventure and Birkbeck, has grown enormously recognises both researcher and participant exploration, which in turn allowed University of and is now one of the as intrinsically sense-making creatures. them to appreciate the natural London best-known and most Therefore ‘the researcher is trying to make environment. (Morrow, 2013, p.49) frequently used sense of the participants trying to make

thesis, University of Huddersfield. (Trans. D. Savage). New Haven, CT: of Toronto Press. phenomenological analysis: Theory, tinyurl.com/pv66pmr Yale University Press. Smith, J.A. (1996). Beyond the divide method, research. London: Sage. Morrow, R., Rodriguez, Al. & King, N. Ricoeur, P. (1971). The model of the text. between cognition and discourse. Smith, J. A. & Osborn, M. (2003). (2014). Camping: A tool for Social Research, 38, 529–562. Psychology & Health, 11, 261–271. Interpretative phenomenological relationship maintenance? Ricoeur, P. (1981). Hermeneutics and the Smith, J.A. (2011). ‘We could be diving analysis. In J.A. Smith (Ed.) International Journal of Therapeutic human sciences (J.B. Thompson, for pearls’: The value of the gem in Qualitative psychology. London: Sage. Communities, 35(2), 48–55. Trans.). Cambridge: Cambridge experiential qualitative psychology. Smith, J.A. & Rhodes, J. (2014). Being Polkinghorne, D.E. (1988). Narrative University Press. Qualitative Methods in Psychology depleted and being shaken. knowing and the human sciences. Ricoeur, P. (1991). Life: A story in search Bulletin, 12, 6–15. Psychology and Psychotherapy Albany, NY: SUNY Press. of a narrator. In M. Vlades (Ed.) A Smith, J.A., Flowers, P. & Larkin, M. [Advance online publication]. Ricoeur, P. (1970). Freud and philosophy. Ricoeur reader. Toronto: University (2009). Interpretative doi:10.1111/papt.12034

644 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 special feature sense of their world’ (Smith & Osborn in others the picture is of the self in turn to critical social theory for our 2003, p.51). relation to pain. The artworks also vividly critique rather than, if we take Freud There is not a single right way of capture the biographical context for the as our example, engaging in an collecting data in IPA. Any method that pain with representations of self before archaeological trawl through the allows a participant to give a detailed and after it had begun. Some images look unconscious for hidden meaning. For account of their personal lived experience ahead to a hoped-for pain-free self in the me, the key to using hermeneutics of can be used. Thus IPA has been future. We discuss the valuable role suspicion is to draw on social theory like conducted with diaries and other personal pictorial representation can play in queer theory or post-colonial theory as written accounts. However, by far the helping the expression of difficult ‘imaginative hermeneutics of suspicion’. most common way of collecting data is conditions and experiences. This enables us to critique the ideology through the in-depth, semi-structured of the social worlds of researcher and interview. The popularity of the interview he method of participant alike for how it allows and lies in allowing the researcher to hear the critical narrative limits understanding and narrative participant’s unfolding account and Tanalysis (CNA) expression. decide, in real-time, where and when to that I have been Studies using this method are likely to probe further. There is not a prescribed developing was be idiographic, with a focus on individual process of analysis. However, to help the created to serve stories of particular life experiences. This newcomer to IPA, a guided step-by-step a specific purpose need not be solely about the case study, as approach is offered – beginning with the in my own research data from participants can be combined close examination of the first case, programme on (see, for instance, the studies of ethnicity leading to the extraction of micro- Dr Darren sexualities, and also and sexuality conducted by David Mair, experiential themes and then a careful Langdridge to resolve some of 2010a, 2010b). But the data collection examination of patternings across the is at the Open the epistemological method does often involve a life story cases in the corpus. This primarily linear University tensions that I saw interview of some kind designed to process is accompanied by a parallel with other similar encourage the telling of a story or stories. operation of the hermeneutic circle, methods (Langdridge, So, for instance, I conducted a piece of whereby pieces of text are seen as parts 2007). It draws heavily case-study research with one of my and wholes offering mutual illumination. but not uncritically on the hermeneutic therapy clients in which we worked Good IPA presents a stimulating and phenomenological philosophy of Paul together to examine his life as it related to coherent analytic account evidenced with Ricoeur (1970, 1981) and is an attempt to being a sexual slave (Langdridge, 2009). vivid quotes from participants and with work with language, power and politics Several hours later and with few some detailed interpretative commentary. within an overarching phenomenological interventions from me we stopped, with For a detailed presentation of IPA, framework. It is distinct from other forms me having the privilege of considerable including coverage of the theoretical of phenomenological analysis, firstly new insight into his ‘lifeworld’ through underpinnings as well as practical through the explicit focus on narrative. the stories he told me. I suggest a number guidelines, see Smith et al. (2009). Whilst this is not commonly seen of analytic stages for CNA, but these are In a recent paper (Smith & Rhodes, amongst the better-known methods of open to modification: (1) a critique of the 2014) we present an in-depth analysis of phenomenological analysis featured here, illusions of subjectivity; (2) identifying the experience of first-episode depression. it is common to a number of narratives, narrative tone and rhetorical Semi-structured interviews were phenomenologically informed narrative function; (3) identities and identity work; conducted with seven patients from methods (e.g. Polkinghorne, 1988). This (4) thematic priorities and relationships; a mental health service in London. We theoretical focus on narrative reflects (5) destabilising the narrative; and interpreted the participants’ depression a Ricoeurian (1971, 1991) stance where (6) synthesis. These stages guide the as involving a three-fold existential meaning is appropriated through the researcher around a hermeneutic circle depletion in the relational, corporeal critical interrogation of the stories we tell of analysis such that there is a critical but and temporal domains. Along with this of our lives. also ethical examination of the stories diminution, participants experienced The second distinctive element to this being told of the life, or lives, in question. occasional intensified emotional reactions method is the inclusion of a moment of Where the topic is notably inflected and frenzied thinking. The paper gives critique, engaging with two analytic with power and politics, as we see with a detailed interpretative presentation of moments in a hermeneutic arc. The first minority sexualities or ethnicities, and is these features of depression illustrated moment is what Ricoeur would refer to also amenable to understanding through with extracts from participants’ accounts. as a ‘hermeneutic of empathy’, and is the stories told of personal experience, We point to the value of examining these that descriptive mode of understanding then CNA is likely to be appropriate. existential features in the early stages of common to all phenomenological Should your research interests lie therapy. methods. The second moment involves elsewhere, then other methods from the Another current paper (Kirkham et the use of specific methods of phenomenological family may better suit al., 2015) is concerned with interpretation – or in Ricoeur’s terms your needs. CNA should be understood understanding the experience of chronic ‘hermeneutics of suspicion’ – to critically as ‘open source’, amenable to pain. It does this through an analysis of interrogate the social imaginary, the world modification, to be used – or not – as you patients’ accounts of their own visual of stories into which we are all immersed see fit. We need to avoid rigid adherence representations of their condition. and that allows and limits our ability to to methodological guidelines and Participants are seven women, aged understand and narrate our experience. dogmatic fights. That is not to say between 36 and 52 years, from southern Ricoeur (1970) identifies Freud, Marx ‘anything goes’, not at all, but rather we England. The pictures offer striking and Nietzsche as the ‘three masters of should avoid the debates and politics so portrayals of the pain. In some the pain suspicion’, but here I depart somewhat often associated with the marketing and itself becomes a sinister punishing object; from Ricoeur and argue that we need to branding of methodologies. Instead, we

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should focus our energy on achieving reciprocate is part of the experience must, I Sociality: How does the situation our shared research goals as however, be subjected to the epoché. affect or depend on relations with phenomenologists, notably our desire to What is the experience itself like? Of others? When accounts of giving and improve our understanding of the human course such things may reappear in the receiving are used to describe the condition. findings (gifts might indeed evoke a sense conditions of possibility of gifting in of obligation). But these are not imposed general, the lifeworldly elements self henomenological prior to the description of the experience. and other predominate. The giver psychology does The difficulty of the epoché has led assumes for themselves the right to Pnot aim at some qualitative researchers to downplay give, and by the act of giving defines discoveries of precisely its importance and to emphasise the role a relationship with the other. The the kind experimental of interpretation. The danger of this move recipient may or may not accept the psychology seeks. is that of succumbing to the psychologist’s gift; gifting may then not be ‘fulfilled’. Experimental fallacy, and is only justifiable if the I Embodiment: How is our body psychology uncovers research plainly remains within the implicated in the lifeworld? For the causal conditions phenomenological realm – experience. instance, since our projects are Professor of human behaviour, The second principle is to notice both pursued through bodily action, Peter where the individual what is experienced and how it is illness, gender, age, etc. can have Ashworth is seen as an intrinsic experienced. The realm of experience personal reality in the thwarting of is at Sheffield part of the objective uncovered in the our activities and our Hallam system of mechanisms epoché has two ability to give. University of the natural world. thoroughly I Temporality (and its Phenomenological interdependent parts. “idiographic accounts are events): How is the psychology, instead, In being conscious, investigated, embedded in meaning of time, aims to reveal the taken-for-granted one’s mode of approach each personal lifeworld” duration, or biography meanings by which our experience is to the experience (the intrinsic to the situation? constituted. For example, when giving noesis) will entail some How is the past echoed and a gift (Ashworth, 2013) what are the elements of memory, imagination, the future anticipated in giving? meanings involved for the giver and the perception, and so on, as well as various I Spatiality (and its things): Consider recipient? What constitutes ‘giving a gift’? emotion-tones. At the same time what is the meaning of the staging of giving Such meanings are by no means always experienced (the noema) is affected by, and the form of the actual gift. explicitly known but are usually lived and affects, the noesis. Both aspects of I Project: How does this event of giving through, and these are to be brought to intentionality (the approach of relate to activities to which the person light. I will use the phenomenology of consciousness to its object) must be is fundamentally committed? gifting below as an example, mentioning studied. The phenomenon entails both. I Discourse: The gift relationship is four principles of analysis. Third, idiography alternates with surrounded by social conventions First, keep in the realm of experience essential structure. An individual’s and linguistic formulas. However, by the epoché. Husserl (e.g. 1913/1983) ‘noematico-noetic’ experience of a important though it is, gifting insisted that to seriously scrutinise an phenomenon is not free-floating or discourse is by no means fully experience purely as experience, an abstract, but is set in that person’s specific determinative or limpid. How the epoché is required, a setting aside of the lifeworld. A phenomenological research person speaks and enacts gifting must presuppositions with which we approach report will seek the essential ‘conditions be carefully analysed. it. William James (1890/1950) made a of possibility’ of such-and-such an I Mood-as-atmosphere: A feeling-tone is similar point specifically for psychology, experience – the features without which an essential element of any situation, showing how easily a researcher can the experience would not be one of this and in gifting the mood dynamics of unintentionally impose their own kind. But in any particular personal the expression of gratitude are meanings onto research participants’ instance, the experience will be extraordinarily sensitive: gratitude accounts or actions (for James’s thoroughly linked with other aspects of seals the meaning of the gift as an psychologists’ fallacy, see Ashworth, the individual’s lifeworld. Research affective affirmation. (Not, it is clear, 2009). Following Giorgi (2009), I regard therefore alternates between the as an economic exchange.) it as imperative to adopt the discipline of idiographic understanding of an the epoché, even though it can never be individual’s experience within the I have mentioned four principles of complete… in any case, the researcher lifeworld, and the description of the analysis. For more detail, Giorgi’s (2009) has to start trying to understand by using essential features of a specific experience. approach is to be recommended. The key their own categories of thought. Be this Finally, to help grasp the idiography perspective is this: The material of as it may, the researcher must continually, of an experience some features essential phenomenological psychology is precisely self-critically question the accuracy of to any lifeworld should be noted the intentional realm under the epoché, their understanding to minimise the (Ashworth, 2006 – developing especially and the taken-for-granted meanings by danger of the psychologist’s fallacy. Merleau-Ponty, 1945/1962). Then those which our experience is constituted. For example, in investigating giving aspects which are bound up with the Research participants’ idiographic a gift, the scholarly literature (e.g. Mauss, conditions of possibility of gifting can be accounts are investigated, embedded in 1925/1990, and Derrida, 1992) almost sought. For example, consider: each personal lifeworld. Taking such unanimously argues that the recipient I Selfhood: How does the situation evidence together, a description of the experiences an implicit obligation to implicate identity, the person’s sense features without which the experience reciprocate. (Gifting is thus reduced to of agency, their feeling of their own would not be of the kind under scrutiny the structure of economic exchange.) presence and voice in the situation, is achieved. Such a description is The presupposition that the obligation to etc? phenomenological.

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Left-handedness – mysteries and myths

Image and words by Carolyn J. Choudhary (Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh)

If we account for cultural pressures and forced switching to right handedness, approximately 10 per cent of the population prefer to use their left hands for precision motor movements. There are no definite answers as to why. Art forms depicting uni-manual actions over the last 5000 years suggest this percentage has been stable across time and place. Until the last 30–40 years that is, since when rates have increased to 15–20 per cent, a rate of change far too quick to be accounted for by genetic models. Genetic theories of handedness also struggle to account for twin data. The dizygotic (non-identical) twins pictured, my own, have no left- handed parents or grandparents. There seems to be a higher prevalence of left-handedness in twins generally, irrespective of zygosity. The myth of ‘mirror twins’ (based on quadruplet embryology in armadillos, which may involve rotational splitting and mirroring) was invoked to account for observed discordance in handedness in monozygotic (identical) twins. Neither are the brains of left-handers simply mirror images of a right-hander’s brain; the majority of left- handers retain language in the left hemisphere for example. Do left-handers die younger? Not if correct methods and statistical analyses are applied to cohorts studied. What about morbidity? My own research suggests that left-handers do not experience more trauma than right-handers, but have double the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder; other research suggests left-handedness may be associated with increased prevalence of schizophrenia. It’s not all bad. Left-handedness may be an advantage in certain sports, not because left-handers have any inherent visuospatial advantage, but because of perceptual frequency effects: right-handers encounter left-handers more rarely than vice versa. www.thepsychologist.org.uk Part 1: 9-13 November 2015 Queen Hotel CHESTER (Part II: June 2016) DBT National Intensive Training Co-sponsored by Behavioral Tech LLC, Seattle, WA

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read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 647 p.xvii; see also Wertz, 2014, for a recent historical overview). In my own subdiscipline of social

ARTICLE psychology, the emergence of qualitative methods is often traced to the so-called ‘crisis’ literature of the late 1960s and Rhetoric and resistance early 1970s, which led to the development of approaches such as Harré Stephen Gibson uses qualitative analysis to understand Milgram’s studies – and Secord’s (1972) ethogenics and are they really ‘obedience’ experiments? Gergen’s (1985) social constructionism. Or sometimes it might be suggested that qualitative methods only really began to When he conducted his he 10th anniversary of the Society’s gain a foothold in the discipline with the experiments on ‘obedience’ to Qualitative Methods in Psychology advent of discursive and rhetorical authority in the 1960s, Stanley TSection affords an opportunity to perspectives from the late 1980s (see Milgram recorded the majority reflect on the place of qualitative research Augoustinos & Tileaga˘, 2012, for a recent of his experimental sessions on within the discipline. The Section has retrospective). It is not to contest the audiotape. Despite the comment, clearly been hugely successful – as soon impact of either of these developments to extensions and critique generated as it came into being, its membership suggest that such accounts might stand in over the years by Milgram’s numbers made it the Society’s largest need of qualification as origin stories for studies, there have been Section by some distance, a status it qualitative methods in psychology. surprisingly few attempts to use retains to this day. In drawing together Even a cursory glance through many these recordings as the basis for scholars and practitioners from a diverse of the classics of the field highlights that secondary analysis. However, range of psychology’s subdisciplines, the qualitative research had an important recent qualitative analysis of the Section has provided a forum for lively place within the discipline in its North archival materials points to some debate amongst individuals who may not American heartlands some time before the intriguing insights concerning the otherwise have found themselves sharing ‘crisis’. Adorno and colleagues’ The interactions that took place in the the same conference floor. Similarly, it has Authoritarian Personality (1950), chiefly ‘obedience’ laboratory, and even been an important voice in making the remembered for the F-scale, featured suggests that we may have case for qualitative methods at the heart extensive use of material from interviews misunderstood the nature of the of the disciplinary establishment over the conducted with participants. Asch’s studies themselves: rather than last decade. (1956) ‘conformity’ experiments, demonstrations of people’s Yet there is a danger on occasions remembered as a demonstration of propensity to obey orders from an such as this that one slips somewhat people’s overwhelming tendency to ‘go authority figure, they may in fact unthinkingly into celebratory mode. It along with the group’, involved detailed show just how ineffective the is not uncommon to find accounts of post-experiment interviews designed to issuing of direct orders might be. qualitative methods in psychology that explore why people had behaved in the suggest that the discipline was dominated way they did. Indeed, Asch saw his by a restrictive experimentalism for much experiments as a demonstration of the Do the ‘obedience’ experiments really of its history, and that it is only in recent way in which individuals might resist demonstrate obedience? decades that qualitative methods have pressures to conform. Milgram’s (1974) What is the role of discourse and the begun to be accepted as part of ‘obedience’ experiments again featured

questions questions social context in laboratory psychology’s methodological toolkit. extensive follow-up interviews. In experimentation? However, as Dennis Howitt points out in addition, Milgram also included short his splendid introductory text, the idea case studies of individual participants in that, until relatively recently, ‘mainstream his most detailed account of his research, Stanley Milgram Papers archive at Yale psychology was a quantitative monolith and these featured direct quotations from University: tinyurl.com/qavvp4v smothering any other perspective on what transcripts of the experimental sessions Gibson, S. (2013a). Milgram’s obedience psychology should be...is a creation myth themselves. For each of these classic experiments: A rhetorical analysis.

resources rather than a precise and historically studies, there are more detailed stories to British Journal of Social Psychology, 52, accurate account of the dark days before be told concerning the ways in which the 290–309. qualitative psychology’ (Howitt, 2010, nuances of their authors’ messages have

Adorno, T.W., Frenkel-Brunswik, E., psychology. British Journal of Social Psychological and Personality Science, resort’: A forgotten prod and the in Levinson, D.J. & Sanford, R.N. Psychology, 51, 405–412. 2, 460–466. situ standardization of Stanley (1950). The authoritarian personality. Billig, M. (1996). Arguing and thinking: A Gergen, K.J. (1985). The social Milgram’s voice-feedback condition. New York: Harper & Row. rhetorical approach to social constructionist movement in modern History of Psychology, 16, 177–194.

references Asch, S.E. (1956). Studies of psychology (2nd edn). Cambridge: psychology. American Psychologist, Gibson. S. (2014). Discourse, defiance independence and conformity: A Cambridge University Press. 40, 266–275. and rationality: ‘Knowledge work’ in minority of one against a unanimous Burger, J.M., Girgis, Z.M. & Manning, Gibson, S. (2013a). Milgram’s obedience the ‘obedience’ experiments. Journal majority. Psychological Monographs: C.C. (2011). In their own words: experiments: A rhetorical analysis. of Social Issues, 70, 424–438. General and Applied, 70, 1–70. Explaining obedience to authority British Journal of Social Psychology, Harré, R. & Secord, P.F. (1972). The Augoustinos, M. & Tileagă, C. (2012). through an examination of 52, 290–309. explanation of social behaviour. Oxford: Twenty five years of discursive participants’ comments. Social Gibson, S. (2013b). ‘The last possible Basil Blackwell.

648 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 special feature

been re-packaged over the decades in confederate) issued orders that the find to be the most fascinating aspect textbook chapters and lecture theatres, teacher continue. Such conditions of the archives: the hundreds of audio but for present purposes it is sufficient to produced obedience rates of between recordings of the experimental sessions highlight the role played in each by 47.5 per cent and 65 per cent (Milgram, themselves. These have received relatively qualitative methods. 1974), where obedience was little attention from researchers seeking to Clearly, then, things are not as operationalised as delivering the highest understand Milgram’s experiments until straightforward as is often assumed. voltage level on a scale rising from 15v to very recently (see Modigliani & Rochat, Nevertheless, it is arguable that the red- 450v in 15v increments. 1995, for a notable exception). herring distinction between qualitative In the last five years or so there has Exploring a sample of these and quantitative methods is relevant here. been a growing body of literature recordings has led me in two directions. Psychologists may have been using examining the materials held in the First, the experiments can be understood qualitative methods, but they weren’t Stanley Milgram Papers archive at Yale as occasions for rhetoric and staking a claim to be doing, say, University. Scholars have used the argumentation. As participants attempt to interpretative phenomenology or social materials to explore how Milgram piloted argue their way out of the experimental constructionism. When these researchers his experiments (Russell, 2011), how he situation, the experimenter seeks to were conducting their interviews, they constructed his film of the experiments provide arguments for participants to were treating them as windows on the (Millard, 2014; see also The Psychologist, continue. Second, and relatedly, the psychological processes underpinning the August 2011), and to challenge his recordings show that the level of work behavioural phenomena they were account of the studies on ethical required by the experimenter in trying studying, not as situated social to elicit ‘obedience’ goes some way

actions designed to manage F beyond what might be assumed from issues of accountability, stake THE RED a straightforward reading of and interest. The issue, then, is Milgram’s accounts of the studies. O

one of epistemology and YSTER This leads to a consideration of the methodology. ways in which we need to So what happens if we understand Milgram’s laboratory as adopt an approach to this a particular social context. As an classic work that is informed example of how these two strands by more recent developments interrelate and overlap, it is worth in qualitative research briefly considering an excerpt from methodology? In my own work one of the experimental sessions, (Gibson, 2013a, 2013b, 2014), from condition 2, the voice-feedback I have sought to develop a condition, which uses the basic perspective on Milgram’s procedure outlined above. experiments informed by First, and most strikingly, it is discursive and rhetorical worth noting that this condition psychologies (Billig, 1996; features a departure from the Potter & Wetherell, 1987). ‘standardised’ procedure used in the As is well known, Milgram experiments. In three experimental used a cover story of a memory sessions, Milgram’s confederate John experiment to study people’s Williams, in the role of experimenter, willingness to obey orders from responds to participant attempts to an authority figure. In its most bring the experiment to a close by well-known variants, this leaving the room, apparently to go involved a naive participant and speak to the learner in the playing the role of ‘teacher’, Experimenter (E), teacher (T) and learner (L) in adjoining room. This tactic was not delivering what appeared to be Milgram’s obedience experiment reported in Milgram’s published electric shocks to a ‘learner’ (in descriptions of the experimental fact a confederate) as punishment for (Nicholson, 2011), methodological (Perry, procedure. Extract 1 shows how this incorrect answers on a memory test. 2012) and theoretical grounds (Haslam et could be prompted by a participant using When the teacher appeared reluctant al., 2015). In my own research, I have a rhetorical strategy that made their to continue, the ‘experimenter’ (another sought to take advantage of what I still continuation in the experiment

Haslam, S.A., Reicher, S.D. & Birney, a window into the engaged ethnomethodology’s asymmetric Miller, A.G. (2009). Reflections on M.E. (2014). Nothing by mere followership of participants in alternates. Social Studies of Science, ‘Replicating Milgram’ (2009). authority: Evidence that in an Milgram’s ‘obedience’ experiments. 30, 323–370. American Psychologist, 64, 20–27. experimental analogue of the British Journal of Social Psychology, Milgram, S. (1974). Obedience to authority: Modigliani, A. & Rochat, F. (1995). The Milgram paradigm participants are 54(1), 55–83. An experimental view. New York: role of interaction sequences and the motivated not by orders but by Howitt, D. (2010). Introduction to Harper & Row. timing of resistance in shaping appeals to science. Journal of Social qualitative methods in psychology. Millard, K. (2014). Revisioning obedience: obedience and defiance to authority. Issues, 70, 473–488. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Exploring the role of Milgram’s skills Journal of Social Issues, 51, 107–123. Haslam, S.A., Reicher, S.D., Millard, K. & Maynard, D.W. & Schaeffer, N.C. (2000). as a filmmaker in bringing his Nicholson, I. (2011). ‘Torture at Yale’: McDonald, R. (2015). ‘Happy to have Toward a sociology of social scientific shocking narrative to life. Journal of Experimental subjects, laboratory been of service’: The Yale archive as knowledge: Survey research and Social Issues, 70, 439–455. torment and the ‘rehabilitation’ of

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 649 special feature

contingent on receiving assurances that 25 so please continue. experiment (see Gibson, 2013a, 2013b the learner was all right. As we join the 26 T: No not unless I think, you see he’s for fuller analyses of this and related experimental session, the participant is 27 hollering in there it’s just er extracts). attempting to bring the experiment to 28 (16) In one sense, we shouldn’t be a close (L = Learner; E = Experimenter; 29 E: It’s absolutely essential that you surprised that standardisation as T = Teacher; numbers in parentheses 30 continue. conventionally understood simply wasn’t indicate timed silences in seconds): 31 T: Well I’m not gonna continue with possible. There is enough work in the 32 the man hollering that he wants to sociology of scientific knowledge on Extract 1 33 get out of there I mean er (2) it everything from standardised survey 1 E: It’s absolutely essential that you go 34 might be essential to you but it’s interviewing to particle physics that 2on. 35 not that essential for me. problematises the conventional stories 3(2) 36 (3) of scientific method to be found in 4 T: Well if he says it’s all right it’s all 37 E: I was just in there and he seemed published reports (e.g. Maynard & 5 right with me. Will you ask him if 38 willing enough to continue. Schaeffer, 2000). But what this tells us 6 he wants to go on? 39 T: Well, that’s what he says but you about Milgram’s experiments themselves 7(3) 40 know it’s not er is that the experimenter has to do far 8 E: Whether the learner likes it or not 41 (14) more than simply issue orders to try and 9 er, we must continue. 42 E: ((inaudible)) convince people to keep delivering 10 T: I wouldn’t contin- 43 T: I mean i- I’d be glad to walk in electric shocks. 11 E: ((inaudible))- 44 there if he says to me go on I’ll go So, whatever else may be going on 12 T: I wouldn’t continue without asking 45 on but I’m not going to go on with in these experiments, it looks like the 13 him. 46 the man hollering in there to stop. traditional assumption that participants 14 (2) 47 E: You have no other choice you must were obeying orders from the 15 E: As I explained to both er, er to him 48 go on. experimenter simply doesn’t stand up to 16 when you were there, er although 49 T: Well I don’t say that I mean I’m just scrutiny. Indeed, there are now sufficient 17 the shocks may be extremely 50 not gonna go on unless he says to lines of convergent evidence to suggest 18 painful there is no permanent 51 go on. that this issue should no longer even be 19 tissue damage. 52 E: Well we’ll have to discontinue the a matter of debate. Some scholars have 20 T: Well I still th- I still don’t want to go 53 experiment then. identified prod 4 (‘You have no other 21 on unless he says all right. choice, you must continue’) as It is notable that it is the participant’s particularly crucial to accounts of the At this point, the experimenter leaves the attempts at arguing his way out of the experiments which see them as room for just over 50 seconds, and when experiment that occasions the demonstrations of obedience (e.g. Miller, he returns, reassures the participant that experimenter’s leaving the room. At lines 2009). Yet analysis of the use of the prods the learner is ‘willing enough to go on’. 4–6, 12–13 and 20–21, the participant in the experiments suggests that prod 4 is This leads to the participant continuing sticks to his rhetorical strategy of refusing actually rather ineffective: Milgram’s with the experiment for two further to continue unless he can receive participants typically didn’t continue after shocks, but as we re-join the session the assurances from the learner himself. It receiving prod 4 (Gibson, 2013a). Other participant has now reached the 150-volt is also apparent that the experimenter recent work from contrasting theoretical lever on the shock generator, at which appears much freer to improvise than is perspectives (e.g. Burger et al., 2011; point the learner demanded to be often assumed to be the case. The major Haslam et al., 2014) also points in a released: procedural departure of leaving the room similar direction: Insofar as psychologists is followed by further attempts to have understood obedience as a form of Extract 2 rhetorically invoke the apparent visit to social influence elicited in response to 17 L: Experimenter! Get me out of here! I the learner in an attempt to convince the direct orders, this is simply not what is 18 won’t be in the experiment any participant that all is well and that he happening in these experiments. There 19 more. I refuse to go on, let me out! should therefore continue (lines 23–25; are, of course, conceptual debates to be 20 E: Please continue. 37–38). So, not only is the participant had about the nature of obedience, and 21 T: Not under those conditions. Not engaged in mobilising rhetorical strategies further analyses to be done, but one thing 22 with him hollering. in an attempt to draw the experiment to seems clear at this point: we simply can’t 23 E: I just checked on him, and he er, a close, so the experimenter is building keep referring to Milgram’s obedience 24 seemed pretty willing to continue arguments for the continuation of the experiments. To do so is to perpetuate a

Milgram’s ‘Obedience to Authority’. Potter, J. & Wetherell, M. (1987). Origins and early evolution. British Theory and Psychology, 21, 737–761. Discourse and social psychology: Journal of Social Psychology, 50, Perry, G. (2012). Behind the shock Beyond attitudes and behaviour. 140–162. machine: The untold story of the London: Sage. Wertz, F.J. (2014). Qualitative inquiry in notorious Milgram psychology Reicher, S. (1997). Laying the ground for a the history of psychology. Qualitative experiments. Brunswick, Australia: common critical social psychology. In Psychology, 1, 4–16. Scribe. T. Ibáñez & L. Íñiguez (Eds.) Critical Potter, J. (2012). Re-reading Discourse social psychology (pp.83–94). London: and Social Psychology: Transforming Sage. social psychology. British Journal of Russell, N.J.C. (2011). Milgram’s Social Psychology, 51, 436–455. obedience to authority experiments:

650 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 special feature myth that simply doesn’t stand up to production are rendered invisible by they do not rule out experiments as valid scrutiny. This raises a further spectre – techniques explicitly designed to strip tools for knowledge construction. Rather, that for 50 years, we have held these away apparently irrelevant context. The such an engagement with the discourse experiments as Milgram tapes offer and rhetoric of experimentation may well exemplars par a tantalising glimpse be useful in conducting more nuanced excellence of the of what might be and context-sensitive experiments. After willingness of ordinary possible if more such all, experiments are fundamentally people to obey direct records existed of discursive encounters in which one orders, when in fact experiments-in- party’s attempts to exercise power in they show precisely the action. As Jonathan defining a situation are responded to in opposite: the failure of Potter (2012, p.440) various ways by another party (Reicher, direct orders as a means has argued recently, 1997). If we attempt to analyse what of effecting social ‘It is surely time happens in experiments without influence. for collaboration exploring the use of language, we risk To conclude, I’d like between an missing the social processes that should to return to the place of experimental be at the heart of the study of social qualitative methods in social psychologist, psychology. the discipline. None of a discursive the research described psychologist and Note: The extract from participant 0208 is reproduced above would have been a sociologist of by permission of Alexandra Milgram. possible without the science in studying recordings made by how a social Stanley Milgram over The Milgram tapes offer a psychology experiment 50 years ago. To what tantalising glimpse of what is conceived, performed, Stephen Gibson extent is it common might be possible analysed, and reported.’ is in the Department of practice to create such Such analyses need Psychology & Sport, York St records of psychological not be seen as a challenge John University research? One of the key critiques of to the experimental method, and contrary [email protected] laboratory research has been that the to the stark either/or way in which social processes involved in data methodological debate is often framed,

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read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 651 research (see box). The discussion started with a question on distinctions between ‘digital methods’ and researching the

ARTICLE Crossing into the ‘digital world’.

digital realm Researching the digital world The digital realm is embedded in many Sarah Riley, Adrienne Evans, Christine Griffin, Yvette Morey and Helen Murphy people’s everyday lives, both for our look at the issues for researchers in online and digital research research participants and for us as researchers. Digital television, mobile technology with constant internet access, This article reports on a discussion usting off a lecture on ‘internet GPS and high-quality audio and video with a group of qualitative research’ written only three years technologies have transformed social researchers working with digital Dago, it seemed so dated. The focus media platforms and practices. Apps and and online research. The was on the interactive possibilities of Web websites digitally link pre-internet media conversation took as its starting 2.0 technology as a research tool, it such as magazines, interviews are point the social and technological conceptualised a virtual world, discrete conducted with digital recorders, and changes that make distinctions from the ‘real’ one, and the structures reading groups held on Skype. Expanding between on and off line selves and business models that enabled such ‘smart’ technology connects our material increasingly irrelevant. Through technology were not considered. For and embodied world to the internet, from this lens the group considered the this semester the lecture got a revamp. fridges to heart-rate monitors. distinctive contribution of Renamed ‘digital selves’, it considers Increasingly sophisticated algorithms qualitative research methods to debates over ‘Web 3.0’ and uses enable extensive data mining, such that investigate the complexity of the terminology such as ‘on- and offline users’ identities and online practices have networked human experience, selves’ to recognise the incorporation of become commercial products (Beer, 2009; including the embodied and the internet, digital devices and digital Bucher, 2012; Fuchs, 2014). All of this emotional elements of life online. software into everyday lives. The makes distinctions between the ‘on-’ and They also considered the new BPS challenge it now highlights is how to ‘offline’ world increasingly irrelevant. internet research guidelines and study the flow of information on A key challenge for researchers then future areas for research, interconnected platforms that gives is how to understand and analyse this particularly the impact of an people a sense of agency in their identity complexity. Close collaborations across intensified life lived out through the projects, while it is also structured to and between disciplines are required, imagined presence of another and benefit business. linking psychology with computer the blurring of public and private, But the old lecture does not have to science, sociology, cultural studies and work and personal lives. be discarded completely. Some content media studies (see for example, van is still relevant: unprecedented access Dijck, 2013). There is a strong tradition to people and their communications; of this type of close interdisciplinary In the era of ‘big data’ what can the convenience of transcription-free collaboration in qualitative psychology. qualitative researchers offer to digital qualitative data and cost-free Qualitative psychologists are well placed and online research? questionnaire software; a continued to offer the deep levels of analysis and blurring of public and private as personal the contextualisation of meaning and questions questions How do we explore the complexity of data is shared on the web; and the experience that is required when networked human experience? opportunity to explore identity, social researching the digital world. interaction and meaning making, all key From this perspective, qualitative issues for qualitative psychologists. In research offers a vital contribution to Snee, H., Hine, C., Morey, Y. et al. (in this context The Psychologist brought us research in the era of ‘big data’. For press). Digital methods for social science: An interdisciplinary guide to together at the University of West of example, sentiment analysis identifying research innovation. Basingstoke: England as five qualitative psychologists patterns of ‘likes’ related to a particular resources Palgrave. experienced in digital research to discuss topic or set of topics can give us a http://nsmnss.blogspot.co.uk our views on the opportunities and valuable understanding of how specific challenges of doing online and digital ‘targets’ are linked on social media. But

Beer, D. (2009). Power through the Algorithmic power and the threat of seeking. Personality and Individual Evans, A. & Riley, S. (in press). The algorithm? New Media and Society invisibility on Facebook. New Media Differences, 51(1), 57–62. entrepreneurial practices of 11(6), 985–1002. and Society, 14(7), 1164–1180. Edwards, G. (2010). Mixed-method becoming a doll. In A.S. Elias, R. Gill Boyd, D. (2010). Social network sites as Clerkin, E.M., Smith, A.R. & Hames, J.L. approaches to social network analysis. and C. Scharff (Eds.) Aesthetic labour:

references networked publics. In Z. Papacharissi (2013). The interpersonal effects of ESRC National Centre for Research Rethinking beauty politics in (Ed.) A networked self (pp.39–58). Facebook reassurance seeking. Methods Review Paper NCRM/015. neoliberalism. London: Palgrave New York: Routledge. Journal of Affective Disorders, 151(2), Available at tinyurl.com/cdee99o Macmillan. Broekhuizen, F. & Evans, A. (2014). Pain, 525–530. Evans, A. & Riley, S. (2014). Technologies Ferreday, D. (2009). Online belongings: pleasure and bridal beauty. Journal of DeWall, C.N., Buffardi, L.E., Bonser, I. & of sexiness: Sex, identity and consumer Fantasy, affect and web communities. Gender Studies. Keith Campbell, W. (2011). culture. New York: Oxford University Oxford: Peter Lang. Bucher, T. (2012). Want to be on the top? Narcissism and implicit attention Press. Ferreday, D. (2010). Reading disorders:

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Watch the discussion

This article stemmed from a roundtable discussion which The Psychologist facilitated at the University of West of England. The participants, and authors of this article, were Sarah Riley (Reader in Psychology at Aberystwyth University), Adrienne Evans (Senior Lecturer at Coventry University), Christine Griffin (Professor of Psychology, University of Bath), Yvette Morey (Research Fellow at the University of West of England) and Helen Murphy (Principal Lecturer in the School of Psychology, University of East London). A video of the discussion accompanies this article on our website. Thanks to Adam Teighe for his work on editing the piece.

there are significant gaps in this Digital participation can challenge terms of psychological processes, social knowledge, notably how such online norms and allow new contradictory practices and the wider context in which practices operate in specific social, senses of self to emerge. Facebook’s people are located. In considering the economic and cultural contexts, what original ‘one to many’ identity wider context of digital practices, in- such connections mean to people, and presentation challenged the everyday depth qualitative research draws attention how they are embedded in everyday lives. multiplicity of identities, whereas the to the way the digital realm is ‘embodied’ The gaps in our understanding of diffused and fractured representations of and ‘embedded’ (Hine, 2015), providing online practices are not addressed by an a person produced through participation accounts that are absent in traditional adherence to orthodox approaches. For on the internet fundamentally challenged quantitative ‘big data’ approaches. A focus example, research on Facebook has taken the notion of a coherent self (Gergen, on context also allows us to examine the known psychological facets (e.g. 2000; van Dijck, 2013). Such complexity role of the underlying infrastructure on attachment theory, addiction and means that while the possibilities offered participants’ communication practices personality) and framed them over/on by new digital tools and platforms are and the experience of being networked. a digital platform without considering considerable, care must be taken to avoid For example, Beer’s (2009) examination their appropriateness or usefulness in engaging in short-sighted ways that are of ways in which networked data understanding and recording online social ineffective or that neglect longstanding circulates and operates through the practices (see for example, Hart et al., research issues. For example, researchers filtering of information by search 2015; Suissa, 2015; Wang et al., 2015). have raised concern over the rush to algorithms highlights the importance of We argue that there is a need to think develop apps for a range of health and a focus on the affordances of the platform a bit deeper and harder, challenging psychological needs that often fail to as well as participants’ communication ourselves as psychologists to consider engage with the complexity of behaviours practices (see also Boyd, 2010; Bucher, the complexity of human practice that such as self-harm or significant life events 2012). Other qualitative work has helped may be reproduced across on- and offline such as pregnancy (Ferreday, 2010; Riley us theorise affect and how the internet contexts or that may be significantly et al., in press). These moves are also creates new ways of feeling connected to altered by being played out over criticised for focusing on individual others (Ferreday, 2009). multiplatform digital business products. responsibility while overlooking the In the era of big data qualitative For example, analyses of online social, cultural, commercial and political psychology has a major contribution to embodiment show complex issues to dimensions of digital technology (Lupton, make, offering an understanding of the hand, which sometimes produce 2014). meanings behind the click and locating exaggerated sociocultural norms (e.g. in The huge amount of material that is these at the interrelations of the relation to breast or penis size on dating publicly available online is seductive. It embodied, material, subjective, affective, websites: Waskul et al., 2000), and at lures us into studying online texts, but we technological and political, so that we can other times playfully inverting them will have limited understanding if we do explore the complexity of the networked- (e.g. the normalising of ‘gender bending’ not also try to understand how they are human experience. Combining the avatars: see MacCallum-Stewart, 2008). embedded into people’s everyday lives, in benefits of quantitative big data analysis

Online suicide and the death of hope. Gergen, (2000). The saturated self. New et al. (2013). Inhabiting the Hine, C. (2015). Ethnography for the Journal for Cultural Research, 14(4), York: Basic Books. contradictions. Feminism and internet. London: Bloomsbury 409–426. Gill, R. & Pratt A. (2008). In the social Psychology, 23(2), 184–206. Academic. Forest, A.L. & Wood, J.V. (2012). When factory? Theory, Culture and Society, Hall, S. (2011). The neo-liberal revolution. Hodkinson, P. & Lincoln, S. (2008). Online social networking is not working. 25(7–8), 1–30. Cultural Studies 25(6), 705–728. journals as virtual bedrooms? Young, Psychological Science, 23(3), 295–230. Gregg, M. (2010). On Friday night drinks: Hart, J., Nailling, E., Bizer, G.Y. & Collins, 16(1), 27–46. Fuchs C. (2010). Labor in informational Workplace affects in the age of the C.K. (2015). Attachment theory as a Karatzogianni, A. & Kuntsman, A. (2012). capitalism and on the internet. The cubicle. In M. Gregg & G.J. Seigworth framework for explaining Digital cultures and the politics of Information Society, 26, 179–196. (Eds.) The affect theory reader. engagement with Facebook. emotion. London: Palgrave Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media: A critical Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Personality and Individual Differences, Macmillan. introduction. London: Sage. Griffin, C., Szmigin, I., Bengry-Howell, A., 77, 33–40. Lupton, D. (2014). Digital sociology.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 653 special feature

with qualitative approaches requires a the lure of the new and untested. Research (tinyurl.com/bpsimr13). multimethod as well as an Digital methods often have Previous guidelines were based on earlier interdisciplinary approach. For example, antecedents in earlier research, such as iterations of the internet and were not the sophisticated statistical techniques of ethnography, meaning that researchers equipped for the messiness and social network analysis that provide a need to perform a fine balancing act complexity of notions around public and snapshot of existing ties within a network between not innovating for innovation’s private, authorship, and ownership on the can be combined with qualitative sake but equally not employing participatory web. The new guidelines are approaches (e.g. walking interviews, traditional methods in an insensitive way. reassuring in that they acknowledge many diaries of communicative practices, An example of the latter is evident in of these issues and try to deal with them participatory mapping) that focus on the ‘personality’ research on Facebook and in a context-appropriate way. lived experience of social networks and other social networking sites that assumes Acknowledging the fact that many people the meanings that ties have (Edwards, core definable ‘traits’ as though these are still perceive their content to be private, 2010). This and other qualitative methods relatively stable across and within the even when it is ‘public’, the guidelines also allow the analysis of changes over lived experience of the digital world (e.g. come down on the side of caution with time (Hine, 2015). DeWall et al., 2011; Weisbuch et al., regard to obtaining valid consent and Our celebrations of the qualitative 2009). The challenge for digital ensuring confidentiality and anonymity. contribution in the era of big data are, researchers, then, is finding methods that Given how ‘sticky’ and searchable however, somewhat tempered as we can map complexity, including: content is, it makes sense that even data considered two forces likely to reduce the participation on interconnected social collected unobtrusively from social impact and value of qualitative research: media platforms, communication across networking or social media sites can a fetishisation of quantification as a fast on- and offline spaces, and content that harm unwitting participants when way of mapping large-scale human is visual, textual, embodied and material. published and disseminated. There is behaviour and conversely, how qualitative This is as likely to draw from visual also the question of balance between the research is ‘labour intensive in a way that sociology and digital ethnography as it benefits of gaining an understanding of a big data approaches are not [and] requires is from qualitative textual analyses or community or behaviour and driving said spending time with people online and quantitative mapping and counting community and its associated content offline, working out how the various techniques. underground (Morey et al., 2014). Not aspects of their lives fit together and how We are also interested in what online only may individual participants be the Internet makes sense for them’ (see communication can do to ‘traditional’ emotionally and reputationally harmed, tinyurl.com/n7fdogc). Now is the time methods, especially in terms of space but social groups and communities may to challenge the pervasive assumption and time. The ability to conduct research be threatened by new or increased that research on ‘big data’ must only be interviews over Skype is not just a scrutiny. For example, members of self- quantitative. Qualitative research has a convenience but can facilitate important harm and pro-ED sites continually change great deal to offer in complementing and shifts in communication. For example, key terms to avoid detection by search extending existing research in this area. the participant in a cross-national bridal algorithms which may result in regulation study who started the online interview or blocking by ISPs or platform providers. saying that wedding objects weren’t But even with the new Old dogs with new tricks? important, slowly filled the room with her recommendations, getting the balance It remains the case that the choice of wedding album, decorations, gifts, and right is difficult. Conducting ethical research methods should always be dress, which then became digital objects research through dialogue between dictated by the research question. We through the medium of Skype (see participants and researchers that also recognise the value of a range of new Broekhuizen & Evans 2014). Similarly, acknowledges inequalities and power research methods for studying the digital digital technologies allow us to visualise, differentials (e.g. see 2013’s New world and how it operates, not only at archive and disseminate in ways that are Brunswick Declaration: a technological level but also in terms of more difficult to do with offline pen-and- tinyurl.com/qy8hf74) is difficult and particular topics or communities who are paper methods. sometimes, impossible, in the digital associated with online practices. But we research world. For example, trying to need to be careful not to get swallowed obtain valid consent to use an image up in the enthusiasm for digital methods Ethics guidelines – up to the job? that has been reblogged or re-circulated and engage in ‘digital methodolatry’, In 2013 the British Psychological Society hundreds of thousands of times, is overlooking existing methods that are released a new set of guidelines called impractical if not impossible. Obtaining able to engage with complex issues for Ethics Guidelines for Internet-Mediated valid consent from big platform providers

London: Routledge. Nakamura, L. (2000). Race in cyberspace. perspectives. London: Routledge. media. Oxford: Oxford University MacCallum-Stewart, E. (2008). Real boys London: Routledge. Rodham, K. & Gavin, J. (2010). The ethics Press. carry girly epics. Journal for Nakamura, L. (2011). Economies of of online research: The new Vasalou, A. & Joinson., A.N. (2009). Me, Computer Game Culture, 2(1), 27–40. digital production in East Asia: challenges of new media. In F. myself and I: The role of interactional Morey, Y., Bengry-Howell, A. Griffin, C. et iPhone girls and the transnational Columbus (Ed.) Internet policies and context on self-presentation through al. (2014). Festivals 2.0: Consuming, circuits of cool. Media Fields Journal, issues (pp.205–214). New York: Nova. avatars. Computers in Human producing and participating in the 2, 1–10. www.mediafieldsjournal.org/ Suissa, A.J. (2015). Cyber addictions: Behavior, 25, 510–520. extended festival experience. In A. economies-of-digital Toward a psychosocial perspective. Wang, C.W., Ho, R.T.H., Chan, C.L.W. & Bennett, J. Taylor & I. Woodward Riley, S., Evans, A. & Robson, M. (in Addictive Behaviors, 43, 28–32. Tse, S. (2015). Exploring personality (Eds.) The festivalization of culture. press). Postfeminism and health: van Dijck, J. (2013). The culture of characteristics of Chinese Farnham: Ashgate. Critical psychology and media connectivity: A critical History of social adolescents with internet-related

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(e.g. Facebook), which are motivated by activity: there is an app that will track algorithms (Bucher, 2012). Equally our commercial interests and increasingly your loved one giving you their map emotional connections to online-ness is moving towards becoming the coordinates in real time. If you didn’t an issue that will become increasingly gatekeepers and owners of the data know this already you may have had an important (Karatzogianni & Kuntsman, they host, is a further complicating factor affective response: perhaps shock at the 2012). (Fuchs, 2010, 2014). To deal with such personal invasion, or amusement at the We also need to place our participants’ complexities, psychologists involved in thought of technologically afforded online practices within their sociopolitical qualitative research in online contexts arguments between couples. What you’re context. For us this means considering have argued that research ethics responding to is surveillance. Now think neoliberal regimes of governance that committees need to include researchers about a time when it would have been construct ideal subjectivity in terms of with expertise in this field (Rodham & handy to have got hold of someone close a ‘choiceful’ subject, who is individually Gavin, 2010). to you, maybe the anxiety of not knowing responsible for their actions and social where they were or frustration of looking practice and who employs consumer for them in a large shopping centre. practices to transform themselves into What are the ‘hot’ topics? Perhaps the app now seems quite useful? their ideal self in a rational and It’s clear that the internet facilitates There is a need then for psychological autonomous way (for recent analyses, see a blurring of public and private in a research exploring the personal for example, Evans & Riley, 2014; Hall, way that has significant implications for experience of being networked. For while 2011). Neoliberalism is implicated in the psychology. Living life publicly online ‘the networked self’ has been discussed by production of a judgemental culture, and through digital technology is a internet researchers such as Boyd (2010); where structural inequalities, such as requirement to socially ‘exist’ for many psychologists’ voices have been relatively those around gender, class and ethnicity, people now (Fuchs, 2014), and this absent on this issue (with some are masked under the ‘you can do it if you opens up new possibilities and associated exceptions, for instance Vasalou and want it hard enough’ rhetoric of new challenges. For example, individualism (Griffin et al., 2013). platforms such as Facebook, Online interactions are classed, Flicker, Tumblr, Snapchat, etc. radicalised, gendered, sexualised offer the opportunity for people and embodied (e.g. Nakamura to creatively produce and share 2000, 2011). We can build on representations of themselves this work to explore differences in across time (Hodkinson & ‘digital agency’, examining how the Lincoln, 2008). The corollary of production of new technologies this public sharing is that people forms part of new forms of labour, are vulnerable to intense public a ‘factory without walls’, shared on critique, past transgressions a global scale and structured by remain permanently exposed, gender, class and ethnicity (Evans bullies can no longer be left at & Riley, in press; Gill & Pratt, the school gate, and the promise 2008; Gregg, 2010). New research of a ‘digital revolution’ that needs to take account of both the overcomes difference seems a global inequalities of the hope from a bygone age as trolls production of digital content (can threaten rape for having an we speak of the ‘digital sweat shop’?) opinion. See, for example, Laurie as well as the emotional labour Penny as one of many examples of Joinson, 2009, who examine the involved in the blurring of social and women reporting this kind of behaviour – intersections between technology, working practices, when so much of tinyurl.com/dxvg5p3; and Nakamura’s behaviour, and the self). Where work–life practice take place through the (2000) analyses of language in cyberspace psychologists have contributed is in ‘network’. as the homogenisation of straight, white exploring the complexity of impression We have argued above for an analysis male assumptions. management on Facebook, the of identity, social interaction and meaning Digital media has also intensified a life possibilities and anxieties social media making contextualised within its lived out through the imagined presence affords for social interaction (Clerkin et sociocultural, technological, political and of the other and contributed to our al., 2013; Forest & Wood, 2012). There economic context. From this standpoint, surveillance culture. Try this as an is room to develop this research. For digital research has little changed our example, much of the work on the research imperatives or questions. But the creation of youth-generated content on pace of technological change, the social media considers such content in increasing embeddedness of the digital, isolation of the platforms that allow for and the consequent generation of an addictive behaviors. Addictive Behaviors, 42, 32–35. its creation, curation and communication. unprecedented volume and speed of Waskul, D., Douglass, M. & Edgley, C. (2000). Future research needs to include potential data, mean that we are now in Cybersex: Outercourse and the analysis of the particular features or a position to know both more and less enselfment of the body. Symbolic affordances of digital platforms – such as about ourselves than ever. What’s needed Interaction, 23, 375–397. social media sites – in order to understand is a balanced approach that acknowledges Weisbuch, M., Ivcevic, Z. & Ambady, N. the ways in which they amplify and the broad knowing that accompanies big (2009). On being liked on the web and in extend individual and social identities data, while reaffirming the deeper the ‘real world’. Journal of Experimental online and unobtrusively advertise knowing that comes with thick data. It’s Social Psychology, 45(3), 573–576. through data gleaned from demographic this complicated messiness of people that information and taste-preference qualitative researchers like best.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 655 Rigorously ‘methodological’ qualitative research continued to flourish in psychotherapy process research with Let a thousand flowers adaptations of existing methods (e.g. task analysis, Greenberg & Foerster, 1996), the creation of new approaches (e.g. bloom consensual qualitative research, Hill et al., 1997) and the application of discourse Anna Madill outlines how qualitative methods in psychology, and the Society’s methods (Madill & Barkham, 1997) and LOOKING BACK LOOKING Section, have blossomed over the years grounded theory (Rennie, 1994). And the way in which many qualitative approaches incorporate sensitivity to the workings of ideology allowed researchers to study the politics and processes of ualitative approaches have a long studying classroom behaviour and exclusion, discrimination and disability history in psychology. Jean Piaget communication (e.g. Spector, 1984). pertinent to educational institutions Qdrew heavily on qualitative From the mid-1980s, drawing from the (e.g. Kastberg, 1998). Similarly, research observational methods and interviews, wider social sciences and humanities, on gender and sexuality have been highly and psychotherapists have maintained psychologists also began to explore the fruitful areas for the development of a qualitative strand of practice-based implications of social constructionist qualitative methods in psychology inquiry since the very first narrative case approaches for studying sexuality and (e.g. Wilkinson & Kitzinger, 1996). studies of Sigmund Freud. However, the gender and developed a major strand of Recognising these developments, 1960s brought a change in ‘the qualitative research in these areas (see a highly influential series of workshops development of qualitative research as Kitzinger & Wilkinson, 1995). Probably on qualitative methods was held between method, with a concern for rigour and an the key publication of this period was 1992 and 1994 at Cumberland Lodge, interest in epistemology’ (Madill & Todd, Potter and Wetherell’s 1987 text Discourse organised by John Richardson and funded 2002, p.5). and Social Psychology with its assertion by the Economic and Social Research Key to this change was the 1965 that everyday language is worthy of study Council and the British Psychological publication of Awareness of Dying by in its own right. And as the 1980s closed, Society. The workshops resulted in the Glaser and Strauss followed two years Parker captured the ensuing upheaval in 1996 Handbook of Qualitative Research later by their classic The Discovery of social psychology in his charismatically Methods for Psychology and the Social Grounded Theory. These works from entitled book The Crisis in Modern Social Sciences, well ahead of the first qualitative sociology offered a methodologically Psychology – and How to End it. methods handbook of the American sophisticated, qualitative approach to The 1990s saw fuller development Psychological Association (Camic et al., tackling questions of relevance to social of qualitative approaches speaking to 2003) (which, itself, was influenced scientists, drawing broadly on the central concerns – substantive and strongly by British academics with language of science to do so. Shortly after, methodological – of psychology as a chapters by Karen Henwood, Nick in 1972, Harré and Secord’s ground- discipline. Discursive social psychology Pidgeon, Jonathan Potter and Lucy breaking book The Explanation of Social maintained its successes with Edwards Yardley). At this point, Richardson Behaviour proposed ethogenics as a new and Potter (1992) continuing to develop (1996) identified several unmet needs approach within psychology, in many an ethnomethodologically informed of qualitative researchers in psychology: ways pre-empting the ‘turn to language’ version and Burman and Parker (1993) suitable textbooks, skilled supervisors, in the late 1980s and early 1990s and outlining an alternative, more politically and competent examiners for providing qualitative methods with an informed, vision for discourse methods in postgraduate research. increasingly secure foothold in psychology. In terms of thematic methods At the close of the 20th century, psychology. with an interest in experience as it is in 1999, the 18th International Human In the 1980s psychotherapy lived, a key publication of this period Science Research Conference, chaired by researchers began to champion rigorous was Henwood and Pidgeon’s (1992) Peter Ashworth, took place at Sheffield qualitative methods for understanding presentation of grounded theory as a Hallam University. At this conference the in situ processes of therapy (Elliott, method of relevance to psychologists: the I was part of a small group of qualitative 1983), and educational psychologists first major article on qualitative methods psychologists wondering what it would appreciated quickly their potential for in the British Journal of Psychology. be like to have our own Section of the

Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2006). Using (Eds.) (2003). Qualitative research in supervision of undergraduate Journal of Psychology, 83, 97–111. thematic analysis in psychology. psychology. Washington, DC: APA qualitative research in psychology. Hill, C.E., Thompson, B.J. & Williams, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, Press. LTSN/HEA Report. Available at E.N. (1997). A guide to conducing 77–101. Edwards, D. & Potter, J. (1992). Discursive tinyurl.com/q5gkmzj consensual qualitative research. The

references Burman, E.E. & Parker, I. (1993). psychology. London: Sage. Greenberg, L.S. & Foerster, F.S. (1996). Counselling Psychologist, 25, 517–572. Discourse analytic research. London: Elliott, R. (1983). Fitting process research Task analysis exemplified. Journal of Hugh-Jones, S., Madill, A., Gibson, S. et Routledge. to the practicing psychotherapist. Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, al. (2012). A national survey of Cacioppo, J.T. (2007). Psychology is a hub Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and 439–446. qualitative research methods science. Observer, 20(8). Practice, 20, 47–55. Henwood, K.L. & Pidgeon, N.F. (1992). teaching in UK HE psychology tinyurl.com/qxwze22 Gough, B., Hugh-Jones, S., Lawton, R. et Psychological research and departments. BPS Qualitative Camic, P.M., Rhodes, J.E. & Yardley, L. al. (2002). Developing guidelines for the psychological theorising. British Methods in Psychology Section

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British Psychological Society. The idea position is that qualitative methods are analysis. Not all qualitative methods will stuck with me and I stayed in touch with extremely diverse at the paradigmatic use all the steps, and some will veer off Zazie Todd about developing a proposal. level and that it would be inappropriate thematisation very quickly, but major After presenting it at a BPS Research to seek an overarching coherence. Against types of qualitative analysis can probably Board meeting, we were strongly this is the argument that it is fruitful to be recognised, at least in their initial supported, and in 2005 the Section came seek an overarching theory of, or stages, as certain pathways through the into being, the one required revision to methodology for, qualitative research. process outlined. Accordingly, Braun and change the proposed name from Rennie, in particular, argued strongly for Clarkes’ atheoretical thematic procedural Qualitative Psychology to Qualitative the overarching paradigmatic coherence has been a major success for qualitative Methods in Psychology (QMiP). Another of qualitative methods, presenting his psychology. list of needs was included in the original argument in a keynote at the 2010 QMiP Another huge success in proposal for the Section (see conference which was published as his contemporary qualitative psychology is tinyurl.com/opth4j8) stemming from swan song in Psychological Methods that of interpretative phenomenological formal and informal discussions at (Rennie, 2012). David was a huge support analysis (Smith, 2004): a qualitative a Higher Education Academy–funded to me as a developing academic, but we method by and for psychologists that is workshop at the University of Leeds never saw eye-to-eye on this issue, and a dominant approach in the discipline (Gough et al., 2002): pressure on I am, myself, persuaded of fundamental today. Less well known, but worth a small number of staff to fulfil differences across the spectrum of keeping an eye on, are dialogical methods increasing qualitative methods teaching qualitative methods and that these based on Bakhtinian theory, particularly requirements; poor access to research differences should be celebrated (Madill that adapted for the rigorous funding; poor access to publishing in & Gough, 2008). methodological standards of psychology quality journals; and potential for To me, a nicely pragmatic way of by Paul Sullivan (2011) – QMiP marginalisation within psychology getting to the bare bones of qualitative Outstanding Early Career Scholar award departments. In contrast to Richardson’s methodology can be found in the winner 2009. list of needs, which have largely now articulation of ‘thematic analysis’. Most A huge step forward in the last 10 been fulfilled, some of the list compiled qualitative research starts out with some years has been the number of mainstream from the 2002 HEA workshop are still kind of thematisation (Potter & psychology journals willing to publish issues for qualitative psychologists today. Wetherell, 1987), and Braun and Clarke qualitative research. For example, the As co-founder of QMiP, and former (2006) unpick this seemingly simply qualitative methods special issue of Health chair (2008–11), my vision for the process, identifying the methodological Psychology in 2015 edited by Brendan Section was to be supportive of diversity bifurcations leading to different kinds of Gough and Janet Deatrick is an amazing in qualitative methods. Psychology is coup. There is much more work to be a hub discipline (Cacioppo, 2007) that done to make it commonplace to find makes meaningful connections with qualitative research in top psychology a wide range of other subjects such that journals, but we are getting there. other disciplines can be understood to Another big success is the journal be arranged around it. Although this is Qualitative Research in Psychology (first arguably a sign of scientific vibrancy, issue 2004) which has published a there is a danger that psychology could number of extremely well-cited papers. fragment as a discipline. Qualitative Qualitative research has had a much psychologists have always drawn heavily harder time getting accepted by the on other subjects and often work in very American Psychological Association, interdisciplinary ways, and there are and the Society for Qualitative Inquiry in identifiable fracture lines between Psychology inaugurated in 2012 is, on the different approaches to qualitative face of it rather bizarrely, part of Division research (Madill & Gough, 2008). 5: Evaluation, Measurement and This fracturing of qualitative Statistics. However, creating further psychology was the topic of a QMiP- opportunity for high-level qualitative sponsored symposium and keynote from methods publications, their flagship David Rennie – ‘Toward a Meta- journal Qualitative Psychology was Methodology of Qualitative Research’ – at Rigorously ‘methodological’ qualitative launched in 2014. the BPS Annual Conference in 2007. One research has continued to flourish Qualitative methods in psychology

report. Available at 1138–1152. Madill, A. & Gough, B. (2008). Qualitative interviews in psychology. Qualitative tinyurl.com/pcvbxye Kitzinger, C. & Wilkinson, S. (1995). research and its place in Research in Psychology, 2, 281–307. Kastberg, S.M. (1998). Turning fish into Transitions from heterosexuality to psychological science. Psychological Potter, J. & Wetherell, M. (1987). swans. Dissertation Abstracts lesbianism. Developmental Psychology, Methods, 13, 254–271. Discourse and social psychology. International, A (Humanities and 31, 95–104. Madill, A. & Todd, K.Z. (2002). Proposal to London: Sage. Social Sciences), Vol 59(1-A), Jul Madill, A. & Barkham, M. (1997). the Council of the British Psychological Rennie, D.L. (1994). Clients’ deference in 1998, 0129, US. University Microfilms Discourse analysis of a theme in one Society for the formation of a new psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling International. successful case of brief Section of the Society on 'Qualitative Psychology, 41, 427–437 King, N., Bravington, A., Brooks, J. et al. psychodynamic-interpersonal Methods in Psychology. Available at Rennie, D.L. (2012). Qualitative research (2013). The Pictor technique. psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling tinyurl.com/opth4j8 as methodical hermeneutics. Qualitative Health Research, 23, Psychology, 44, 232–244. Potter, J. & Hepburn, A. (2005). Qualitative Psychological Methods, 17, 385–398.

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got a foothold in the subdiscipline of Research in Psychology in 2008; and, reworked, perhaps, for the social psychology, and 10 years ago when the Higher Education Academy methodological requirements and I would have considered myself to be was reorganised in 2010–2012, the group research questions of interest of the a social psychologist. However, today, Teaching Qualitative Research Methods at discipline. My training in psychology has qualitative psychologists are just as likely Undergraduate Level in Psychology had made me value methodological rigour to be working in health psychology. Who been so successful that it was one of the and empiricism, but sometimes this may would have thought 10 years ago that it is few subject specialisms to be retained in stop us making the audacious leaps and almost a requirement to have a qualitative the form of a Special Interest Group. In trying out new ideas that scholars in the methodologist (although not always a 2010 QMiP commissioned research to humanities appear freer to do. Qualitative qualitative psychologist) on large understand the extent and context of the health psychologists are well placed to National Institute of Health teaching of qualitative methods in BPS- contribute to the medical humanities, and Research–funded randomised controlled accredited psychology departments this may be a particularly useful forum trials? It does look like qualitative health (Hugh-Jones et al., 2012). This for cross-fertilisation with methods and psychology has a bright future, with demonstrated that the qualitative theories developing in English. NIHR funding ring-fenced for the methods being taught Semi-structured moment at least. at undergraduate level interviewing is still the Some psychologists specialising do reflect the mainstay of qualitative in qualitative methods are situated in dominant methods “…there are real psychology, but the sustained general social science departments, used in UK research tensions with founding critique of this method I think and the success of qualitative health (interviewing, focus notions of academic has had a fruitful impact on psychology has meant that many of groups, discourse freedom” developing more innovative our colleagues are employed in analysis, IPA, and ways of generating data (Potter interdisciplinary, health-related thematic analysis). & Hepburn, 2005). In particular, departments, and some are working even However, a ‘culture of there is a blossoming of visual further afield (e.g. Victoria Tischler has marginalisation’ was still being methods, which is particularly interesting recently moved to the University of the experienced by many qualitative methods given qualitative research’s usual focus on Arts, London). I think this demonstrates staff. words. Innovative methods include the the wide applicability and value of Qualitative psychology has come use of the Pictor technique (King et al., qualitative methods, and psychologists so far that Sage is publishing a major 2013) and photo-elicitation, and a huge as key proponents who bring additional retrospective edited by Brendan Gough of area of development awaits qualitative specialist skills and knowledge. On the key qualitative methods papers. I wonder psychology in analysing not just what other hand, it has been a concern for what a retrospective in another 10 years visual methods facilitate participants to QMiP that psychologists specialising in will include? I would like qualitative say, but in working directly with the qualitative methods may find it difficult methods papers to be commonplace in visual material itself. Digital cultures are to secure a post in traditional psychology top, mainstream psychology journals and a huge area of interest for the Arts and departments. This may be getting harder for there to be secure career paths in Humanities Research Council, and, again, as a result of the Research Excellence traditional psychology departments for qualitative psychologists have the Framework (REF), with psychology psychologists specialising in qualitative methods and are likely to find innovative most recently positioned in a Unit of methods. Health sciences may offer cross-fertilisation here with work being Assessment with psychiatry and qualitative psychologists a safe haven, done across the humanities. Central to neuroscience and, hence, towards but I hope that this will not overly this is exploiting the affordances of new research not associated particularly narrow the range of acceptable methods technologies in data generation and with qualitative methodology. or hold qualitative research to simplified analysis and understanding how this Qualitative methods are specified and sometimes inappropriate evaluation impacts subjectivity as well as the ways in the BPS undergraduate syllabus and criteria. The REF is driving what is valued people express themselves and interact in the Quality Assurance Agency subject in research and has, so far, pushed with others. benchmarks and there appears to be psychology further away from the social We are in a higher education no shortage of doctorates (PhDs and and human sciences. This is unfortunate environment more heavily regulated than doctorates in clinical psychology) because qualitative psychology is well ever before, and there are real tensions drawing on qualitative methods. There placed to discover and import the most with founding notions of academic was a special issue on teaching of innovative theories and methods from freedom. As well as providing excellence qualitative methods in Qualitative the social sciences and the humanities, in our teaching and research we are being asked to show how our research has impact, and QMiP can play a huge role in supporting qualitative psychologists to showcase the social relevance of our Richardson, J.T.E. (Ed.) (1996). Handbook Journal of Research in Science of qualitative research methods for Teaching, 21, 459–467. research. However, I hope that there is psychology and the social sciences. Sullivan, P. (2011). Qualitative data analysis still a role for research that is pursued Leicester: BPS Books. using a dialogical approach. London: out of pure curiosity and an intuition Smith, J.A. (2004). Reflecting on the Sage. that there is something novel, important development of interpretative Wilkinson, S. & Kitzinger, C. (1996). and interesting to be found. phenomenological analysis and its Representing the other: A Feminism & contribution to qualitative research in Psychology reader. London: Sage. I Anna Madill is Chair in Qualitative psychology. Qualitative Research in Inquiry, in the School of Psychology, Psychology, 1, 39–54. University of Leeds Spector, B.S. (1984). Qualitative research. [email protected]

658 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 Stories of Psychology Connect… Clinically Applied: Origins of a Profession Wednesday 14 October 2015, 10.30am–4pm Chancellor’s Hall, Senate House, University of London The fifth annual ‘Stories of Psychology’ symposium looks forward to the 50th anniversary of the Division of Clinical Psychology in 2016 by looking back at the development of clinical psychology as a profession, a history that …with reaches back beyond the foundation of the DCP in 1966. The Psychologist and the Society’s Cost: £16 (BPS members); £18 (non-members) free Research including buffet lunch Digest service for Registration is essential more psychological news and analysis For more information and to register, go to www.bps.org.uk/stories tinyurl.com/thepsychomag and Follow us at www.facebook.com/researchdigest History of Psychology Centre (t) 0116 252 9528 www.twitter.com/psychmag and (e) [email protected] www.twitter.com/researchdigest

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BOARD Lifetime Achievement Award

The Professional Practice Board invites nominations for this annual award to recognise and celebrate distinguished lifetime achievement within professional psychology

Eligibility – Current or retired practitioners in any area of professional applied psychology. It is expected that nominees will have enjoyed outstanding personal success in their careers and also have reinvested in psychology through encouraging and developing others.

Nominations – should include:

A 1000-word narrative highlighting the candidate’s achievements and grounds for proposing the candidate A full CV The names and contact details of three referees (including at least one current/former work colleague of the candidate) Any other relevant supporting documents

Award – Life membership of the Society and a commemorative certificate.

Nominations should be sent to the Chair of the Professional Practice Board at the Society’s office to arrive no later than Tuesday 1 December 2015.

Further details are available from Carl Bourton at the Society’s Leicester office (e-mail: [email protected]).

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 659 and have a number of good friends in wheelchairs. So I recognise physical disability as inconvenient. But ‘losing my marbles’ would be devastating, especially if I knew it was happening. INTERVIEW ‘We’re all Jedi or Sith’ Which psychologists have influenced you? Miles Thomas meets John Amaechi OBE – psychologist, organisational The professor when I was doing my MSc consultant, high-performance executive coach and former NBA basketball player on marriage and family therapy in the States was Will Stillwell. He was old enough to have been a student of , so he’s been around for a while. It was the first time I’d sat down with someone and used a therapeutic method ell me about your time at school in through long-term disease or illness. which was open and reflective and took TStockport. My mother worked a lot in palliative care, into account the lies of humanism, which I hated school. I hated Stockport. The and she also worked in a psycho-geriatric was that you don’t interject anything of school I went to had perhaps ideas above hospital. My first job at eight years old yourself. It was exactly what I had its station, in terms of the type of school it was as an occupational aide there! imagined psychology would be when should be – a grammar school that Typically it started off as teas and coffees, I was seven. When I was seven I thought thought that kind of emotionally illiterate, but even then they were so understaffed psychology was like being a Jedi. In a highly didactic method of teaching was it was interacting with adults who weren’t way, we are all either Jedi or Sith. righteous, because it somehow separated quite there. As a youngster I remember the wheat from the chaff. In other words, being terrified. ‘How come I’m young, Is that a bit of a primitive split? kids who could learn that It might be, but – and this is why I love way were clever and Star Wars – the moment you realise that worthy, and kids that how people fall into being Sith is actually couldn’t learn that way not as simple as ‘are they evil or are they were stupid and unworthy. good?’… If you read the books, a lot of I flirted with worthiness Jedi are not very nice people! And there’s through extreme effort, but Sith, the Anakin Skywalker narrative of fundamentally it’s not how how he transitions. It’s about watching I learnt well. the vigilance that you have to have over yourself. I know very well that my life Yet you’ve been could be easier, more abundant in terms successful in an of cash and many other things, if I used academic sense? my skills in a slightly different way. There When I got to take the are regularly pieces of work where I say subjects I wanted to take. ‘you don’t need me for this’. I have a time I’m quite jealous when limit on all my coaching – we’ll do six I hear of people who took months, then we’ll do another six psychology for A-level. months, and then I have to be sure that That wasn’t an option. I am not then becoming a consistent crutch I had one option, in order for a person. Some of my peers are on to read psychology at four years of coaching. If it’s mentoring, university, and that was to that’s a different thing. If it’s just sitting do biology, chemistry and down with a glass of wine, then fine, but physics. I took subjects if it’s directive… I worry about that. I hated… I got to America, and they believe in this So your perspective is more about breadth of education, so activating their resources in a long- your first year you need to term way. take French again… my second year they’re old, old people are supposed to be We all have those moments when we are at university, I’m taking abnormal there?’ And you realise the adult is really sitting across from somebody or a couple psychology, experimental psychology, relating to you on your own level, driven and we think, ‘I know exactly what the a statistics class… by how frightening it is… problem is with you, why don’t you just do this?’ In your head you’re screaming it. So what is it about psychology? So you had an understanding of the But you have to stop, because it’s not I wanted to be a psychologist since I was fallibility of mind at quite a young age? about me, it’s not about us, it’s about seven. I watched my mother as a doctor, Yes. I mean, my body is wrecked, through them and what process will help them get as a GP, and I realised very quickly when years of doing too much with it and now to the best solution. You need to nudge I went on visits with her that the vast not doing enough with it. But the only people towards that ‘Eureka!’ moment of majority of her job didn’t seem to be thing that really frightens me about my their own, that gives them not just that anything to do with medicine. It seemed future is the idea that one day my mind answer, but ‘wow, I came up with that to be her ability to help people be resilient will go. I work with a disability charity answer!’

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You want the person to be the powerful of Notre Dame to read, I thought ‘that limits. I had meetings arranged with one, to go away and do things, not to must be what people see when they see activists in China [when working for invest too much in you. I’m suspicious me’. There’s a sense of fear of the monster, the BBC during the Beijing Olympics, of the charismatic, the powerful but also ridicule and mockery. That’s and as a global ambassador for Amnesty coach… everyday. If we walk up and down this International] and I cancelled them. My son once told me a lovely thing… in street, you watch – people will be on their It would have been informative and basketball there’s a backboard and a hoop, phones not paying attention, and they’ll perhaps even empowering to meet them, and you shoot off the backboard into the get up close and see me and they’ll freak but I couldn’t account for their safety hoop, and it’s just a universal truth that out. Or, if you walk past, turn around and after I left. some backboards are soft, you hit them three or four steps away people will be I get some stick from the LGBT anywhere and it’ll go in… a ‘forgiving’ pointing and laughing. community because I advise people that backboard. My son once told me that if they’re likely to get fired from their job, I was a forgiving backboard… whenever Because of your size? who am I to tell them to come out for the he would throw his words and ideas at It’s a combination of height and size, betterment of society? People like Peter me, they would go in the hoop. That’s as and colour. That combination to people Tatchell are right that there’s a collective much credit as you can give me – you’re is apparently terrifying, and mockery- responsibility, but I lived in Utah, which the one aiming, you’re the one shooting, worthy. has a large youth culture out on the I’m just a forgiving backboard. But streets because they have a religious sometimes you can’t control whether And the discrimination is overt – you culture which says your children must people find you were refused entry to live the life, and if you don’t disown them charismatic, and for me a club for being ‘too you will be disowned by the church… so that is not helped by the “I’m always cautious of big and too black’? what kind of person would tell a 14-year- fact that I am unusual It happens all the time. old to come out, you’ll feel better, you’ll looking. The things that appeal to me The other night I was be a great role model… but you’ll also be juxtaposition of that and too much” in Soho, my two friends trying to find somewhere to sleep tonight. what I do for a living is went in first, they were somehow odd and wearing Chuck Taylors. I’d Do your beliefs as a psychologist enticing for people. I’m fairly esoteric, so come from work and was wearing a suit trump your political ones, in terms of if people listen to me on the radio it’s not and tie. They looked at my shoes. It really safety, where people are at… what they’ve normally heard before, the pissed me off. I’m not blind, I can see Rather stupidly, I had not considered that. way I use words has an impact. These what you’re doing, it’s blatant and it’s It would be nice if that was true. It’s aren’t affectations I use for my work, it’s rude. But I can’t do anything about it, somehow noble, and that of course how I talk to my kids and my grandkids, because as soon as I lose my temper I ‘fit appeals to me. But I’m always cautious of everybody. I make points by telling type’. So I’m mandated not to… it just things that appeal to me too much. stories. So there’s some combination of cedes. I’m not allowed to lose my this and the weird CV that I have that temper… I’ve known that since I was Hmm, is compromise around political makes that happen a lot of the time six. I can’t afford to lose control, because belief really noble? without me wanting it to. I can accidentally hurt people just by People who are zealous, I am immediately turning around, so imagine what I can do fearful of them. As staunch as I am in Your Twitter feed says that ‘the most if I really intended to. It would only take some of my beliefs, I am not a zealot. unlikely of people in the most a second. I am not interested in sacrificial lambs, improbable of circumstances can that’s so medieval. There are some people become extraordinary’… Your mum was a GP, so I suppose out there, John Fashanu for example What could be more unlikely that a 17- from early on you had a model of the [whose brother Justin killed himself after year-old who read Asimov and ate steak Hippocratic Oath, ‘do no harm’. homophobic bullying as a professional slices, in six years, playing in the best Yes, and the way I physically manifest footballer], some people don’t seem to basketball league in the world, having on the world around me is about doing care how many have to come out, be never touched a ball before? It seems no harm. I talk a lot with senior people pilloried, kill themselves for their remarkably unlikely. For other people, about their responsibility to do no harm, particular cause. I do – the body count it’s even more unlikely to them that and part of that is about recognising your matters. somebody who played professional sports size. If you don’t realise you’re a giant, would end up being a psychologist. you do accidental damage all the time. You adopted two children, and now Before the age of 17 I thought I would The moment you accept the fact that you they have their own children. How have a desperately lonely life. I thought have power, you wield it differently. That does it feel to be a granddad? I was a monster when I was 11 years old. wielding tells you something about the I’m very comfortable with it, but it’s person. Once you realise you’re a giant a strange situation, to have essentially So 1981, in Stockport, in your and you still walk through the world no family and yet lots of family. I live bedroom. You described yourself as knocking people left and right, then you on my own, there’s no partner with me, a ‘fat freak’. Did you have an epiphany? can say something about that character. there’s no evidence of kids in the house, I don’t know if epiphany is the right yet somehow I have this massive family word… it’s the first time I interacted with You ‘came out’ in the NBA, where you that’s in another country. people who didn’t treat me like a monster. were the first and only Briton to have I very much enjoy the idea of the looking- his jersey hung in the US Basketball Is that through circumstance, or is glass self concept. I looked in people’s Hall of Fame. Do you feel that part of there an element of choice in living faces, and reflected back was that I was a your role is to liberate people? alone? monster. When I was given the Hunchback Oh no, that’s too much. I recognise the In a work sense, interpersonally, I am Jedi

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quality! But in a social cent of people in the House of sense I’m useless, I find Lords. They don’t see me as social interactions anything but a sportsperson. painful. I’m an INTJ, That’s normal. an extreme introvert, all social interactions What should they see you as? are painful. I notice Who talks about themselves as everything. Being what they were 10 years ago? introvert is not about Who does that? Let’s talk about an inability to interact, what I do now. I work with eight it’s about how energy- of the top 10 businesses in the expensive it is. As I walk world, in terms of any measure down the street I know you would like to use. And I’m everyone who is looking, not cheap. They can’t all be idiots. everyone who is The annoying part is that I’m pointing, and I only fairly sure that if I want to have a certain amount become a Labour or Lib Dem of energy for that. So peer, there’s a pathway for that to I stay in my house. happen. I just think it would be I don’t live anywhere, disingenuous to do that, because most of the time. I have what I really want to do is be part some duties in of that core of backbenchers who are Manchester, I’m an NHS charged with looking at policy for Trustee. That’s five days a month. Then ‘why don’t you suck it up?’ This narrative unintended consequences, for rationale, I’m in New York or Connecticut, with resonates with too many people. There for efficacy, without the lens of who clients, five days a month. I have a charity are schoolteachers you talk to who see comes out looking good if this policy in Manchester as well. I built a centre in someone coming in, they say ‘he’s just goes through. I think this is such an 1999 that we opened in 2000. We have a bit sad’ – no, sadness for six months? important thing, especially as I lived in about 2500 kids a week going through Not sad. America and I’ve seen the Senate there… our doors. I’m a little disappointed in it at they should wear uniforms like Nascar the moment to be honest. I’m interested What are your aspirations? drivers, because really they have special in a place that helps young people I’d like to be in the House of Lords, I’d interests all over them. There’s no become more emotionally literate, that like to be a cross-bench peer. I’ve already transparency with what they do. In the helps them be a bit more personally been rejected once. I really fit because House of Lords, those cross-benchers are insightful. When we started we used to I don’t care whose idea is a good idea, a voice of reason, rationality, and that’s a do MBTIs for young people, not because I care if it works. This is one of the things really powerful thing and I would like to I think it’s the most accurate, but because that I love about science, the idea that be a part of that. any tool that’s simple enough for young evidence counts. The rationality of it. people to do, that allows them to gain an What works, counts. Whether I like it or I think something about your story, understanding about how they operate not. If something I’m doing doesn’t work, being a big character, is ‘noisy’ for and how other people operate and why I must stop doing that. Even if I’m really people, even for me as a psychologist. they might find certain types of people attached to it. How often do people meet ‘John’? irritating and others not, is a really good Rarely I would imagine. I have a lot of thing. I had to fight to get that done, and People chase their losses though. colleagues. There’s professional distance now I can’t get it done, and they just want I don’t. The moment that somebody can with that. But I have a small group of to do a high-quality basketball centre and supply me with evidence, I’m not friends, and we are very much ourselves I don’t care about that. precious about it, it’s gone. together. I’m a spiky individual. Difficult to What do you care about, in terms of Is there a ruthless aspect to you? grab hold of. I’m not warm and fuzzy, in pressing issues for psychologists? I ruthlessly chop away people who betray most people’s estimation. Professionally In the community sense, there is a me. There’s no second chance. You’re I am direct, firm, people recognise that complete mismatch with how we look done. But not in a really proactive sense, I am pragmatically harsh when necessary at psychological maladies and physical I can’t imagine a proactive way that I’m and pragmatically warm when necessary. maladies. We’ve got hospitals, GPs and ruthless. But in my house, with a glass of red, I’m advice lines overrun with people with watching cartoons. nothing wrong with them in a physical It’s a defence, isn’t it? sense. And yet we have certain Accidental harm, I think people do I John Amaechi OBE is a psychologist (and communities – men, minority groups – that. Even intentional harm, out of that a Society member), organisational who just don’t access these services. moment of loss of control, even that… consultant and a high-performance They find themselves in a justice-system betrayal is different, and I feel very executive coach. He is a New York Times response to their situation. different about betrayal. best-selling author and former NBA One of the biggest problems is that basketball player. He was awarded an people just don’t take these issues The Lords … you’re not going to give Honorary Doctorate by the University of seriously. Ridiculous people like Katie up, are you? East London, where interviewer Miles Hopkins continue to talk about No. They’re wrong. I mean objectively Thomas works on the Doctorate in depression as if it’s just a bit of sadness, wrong. Stack my CV up against 90 per Education and Child Psychology.

662 vol 28 no 8 august 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. SUBMISSION 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

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 deadline – Monday 14 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 663 President’s column SOCIETY President Jamie Hacker Hughes Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes Contact Jamie Hacker Hughes President Elect [email protected] Twitter: @profjamiehh Professor Peter Kinderman

Vice President Professor Dorothy Miell t’s August at last. The schools and students with the world around us. (The invited panel are on holiday and some of us will be taking discussion at our Annual Conference on end-of- Honorary General Secretary Imuch-needed breaks. With all the recent life care, with Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Dr Carole Allan coverage I really hope that we may travel and rightly attracted a great deal of attention.) It is return safely and securely. The theme for this especially good when we come together as Honorary Treasurer month is therefore travel and aviation, together psychologists, first and foremost, at national and Professor Ray Miller with the related themes of languages and regional conferences and branch meetings, and culture, and this month’s Psychologist has an when our training and other backgrounds cease, Chair, article on holidays and work–life balance to get for a moment at least, to be that important. us started. Having said Membership Standards Board The latter topic has had a that, our Dr Mark Forshaw tremendous amount of structures have coverage since our Annual always been Chair, Conference in Liverpool in May important parts of Education and Public and Professor Sir Cary our psychological Engagement Board Cooper’s keynote address identities and that Professor Catriona Morrison (featured in a conference report is why we are by Professor Gail Kinman on currently in the Chair, The Psychologist website). How middle of we manage our working time, examining and Research Board the balance between screen reviewing the way Professor Daryl O’Connor time and face time and our in which our protocols for handling the ever- Society is Chair, increasing amounts of e-mail organised and Professional Practice Board and social media traffic that governed. Even Dr Ian Gargan pervade our lives are, of though the second course, personal choices, but phase consultation The Society has offices in Belfast, very important ones too. Travel and aviation period closed at the Cardiff, Glasgow and London, as As your President, I have beginning of July, and already been doing a lot of we are in the midst of well as the main office in travelling as part of my roles in the Society. So analysing the results of that second consultation, Leicester. All enquiries should far I have been across to Armagh in Northern ‘we’ve only just begun’, in the sense that, using be addressed to the Leicester Ireland and up to Stirling in Scotland for two the input from the consultation, the steering office (see inside front cover for really excellent Branch conferences, linked in to group which I have the responsibility of address). the Welsh Branch by telephone conference (as chairing, and which has been running the review well as a visit to Bangor and their Psychological since April last year, will be pulling together Society). I’ve been to Basingstoke for the Wessex a paper for the September Trustees meeting in The British Psychological Branch AGM, to Liverpool for a Crisis, Disaster order to allow a really full discussion at Society and Trauma Section Conference, to Exeter for October’s General Assembly. It is these parts of was founded in 1901, and the relaunch of the South West Branch of the the process, the ones involving all of our incorporated by Royal Charter in DCP and to a number of London-based events membership, or their representatives, that are so 1965. Its object is ‘to promote the as well. In the not too distant future, I am important since we would wish, over all else, for advancement and diffusion of looking forward to being with PsyPAG in our Society to be organised in the way that our Glasgow for their anniversary conference, with psychologist members want us to be: how they a knowledge of psychology pure the North East Branch in York and with the want our Society to look and function, both and applied and especially to Psychology of Women Section for an event as within the Society and, equally if not more promote the efficiency and well. importantly, in the way in which our Society usefulness of Members of the Through this, the one thing that comes interacts with the outside world, society, Society by setting up a high home above everything else is just how broad, institutions, fellow disciplines and professions, diverse, varied and comprehensive our the media and governments. If there is a clear standard of professional wonderful discipline is, covering everything direction in which we are heading then there education and knowledge’. from the relationships that precede conception may be a Society-wide vote in the New Year on Extract from The Charter and birth to the end of life, dying, death and any proposed changes, with Privy Council bereavement, and all aspects of our interaction involvement if any changes need to be made to

664 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 society

A psychological perspective on hoarding Ella Rhodes reports on new guidelines from the Division of Clinical Psychology

Hoarding, now recognised as a distinct mental health problem, The guidelines recommend, among other things, that mental has risen in the public consciousness in recent years – though health and social care groups should provide services for people sometimes the portrayal of those with hoarding difficulties are with hoarding difficulties regardless of how they access them. It also not always favourable. Now the Division of Clinical Psychology has suggests that interventions for people who hoard should focus not released guidelines providing information and recommendations just on the individual but also on their wider network, thus for people working with those with hoarding difficulties. supporting the person and the community they live in. The document, A Psychological Perspective on Hoarding: DCP Good Holmes emphasised the importance for psychologists to add Practice Guidelines (available free at tinyurl.com/q72uag6), has been their voices to topical discourses. She said while the DSM-5 now compiled by clinical psychologists, including contributions from those recognises hoarding disorder as a genuine problem, psychologists living with hoarding issues, as well as their carers, and advice to the should be engaging with the media in how it represents those with media in coverage of those with such problems. hoarding problems . She added: ‘It’s really important that Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Sussex Partnership NHS psychologists respond in a timely fashion to things in the media. Even Foundation Trust and lead author of the guidelines Sophie Holmes from a general point of view this helps to get out a psychological said it had felt important for psychologists to message which communicates the evidence base start a discourse around hoarding, which, she and gives a fuller understanding of the field.’ says, is a largely psychological difficulty. She said Holmes, who wrote the report along with clinical the report was, in part, the result of her work in psychologists Dr Stuart Whomsley and Dr Stephen assertive outreach teams working with groups of Kellett (University of Sheffield), said the prevalence people, including those with a diagnosis of A Psycholog of hoarding is difficult to ascertain as many are not Perspective onical schizophrenia, who often find it difficult to engage Hoarding too forthcoming in seeking help, but the report puts DCP Goo d Practice with and seek out treatment. Guidelines it at around 4 per cent. She said that in clinical Many people with hoarding problems do not populations who find it difficult to engage with see the full extent of their problem and therefore services there should be a change in thought around may not engage with services. Holmes added: how such services are delivered. ‘They often turn up at services having been ‘I’m passionate about evidence-based blamed for their condition, and often people with treatments but there’s a need to marry together the

hoarding problems drop out of treatment. The Edited by things we know from CBT and what we know from Sophi lack of progress some mental health workers see e Holmes community psychology and we need to be more can lead to them feeling a little hopeless.’ flexible in how we deliver treatments,’ she added.

the Royal Charter and Statutes. We have Our 100 or so staff colleagues, in the great privilege of co-chairing – and come a long way since 1901 (when the Leicester and around the country, continue which itself came at the end of the ‘Psychological Society’ was first formed) to do a marvellous job in supporting all European Congress of Psychology 2015 and the granting 50 years ago of our Royal our activities and our numerous and EMDR Europe Conference which had Charter, but we must make sure that our committees. Please do spare a thought for been taking place in Milan earlier that Society is fit for purpose for the future. them, as they cope with the disruption of week. Our President Elect and Honorary I believe psychology is making a huge a total refurbishment of the Leicester General Secretary attended the annual and increasing difference in many areas, office. Think too of all our colleagues who conference of another of our MoU as apparent in a number of events I have devote much time and effort to helping our partners, the American Psychological attended: the Division of Clinical Society to run smoothly at Branch, Section, Association, in Toronto and we are Psychology’s ‘Beyond the Therapy Room’ Special Group and Divisional levels. I’m currently in negotiations with our conference, the Division of Counselling really grateful to you all. colleagues in the Psychological Society of Psychology’s Social Justice event in And now back to travel, culture and Ireland (PSI) with regard to building on Manchester, and the BPS Ethics international affairs. Having been out to our current Memorandum of Association Conference organised by Professor Rachel St Petersburg at the end of May to sign and entering into a formal Memorandum Tribe at the University of East London. a declaration of intent with the Russian of Understanding between our two We are engaging at a national level too: Psychological Society’s Professor Yuri Societies which, if ratified by our meeting with Dr Lisa Cameron, SNP Zinchenko, their Vice President, Professor respective Board of Trustees and the PSI’s member of parliament and a psychologist; Larisa Zvetkova and I signed a Council, would be signed off at their through our involvement in the NHS Memorandum of Understanding between Annual Conference in Galway later in the England Mental Health Taskforce and our two societies in Milan on 11 July, year. International dialogue, conversation Transgender Symposium; and in the witnessed by the other two members of and exposure to different cultures are so influence that we have been exercising on our Presidential Team, Professor Dorothy important in helping us to keep open the government concerning psychology Miell and Professor Peter Kinderman, and minds and in expanding our horizons. and employment. And this month, a group a large number of international colleagues Whatever you do this August, within of us will be walking from Leicester to at the end of the first day of the European the UK or further afield, may I wish you London to highlight the issues of Federation of Psychology Association’s all a safe, relaxing, refreshing and homelessness, poverty and unemployment. (EFPA) General Assembly – which I had restorative summer.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 665 society Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme 2015

Twelve undergraduate psychology completed my second year and hope to during the project, and will have students have been funded to carry out work towards obtaining a PhD relating to opportunities to be involved in the summer research placements this year. clinical psychology following my degree. analysis of the data and the writing up The Society’s Undergraduate Research Clinical psychology is something I have of the project findings. She told The Assistantship Scheme (RA) aims to give been passionate about throughout my Psychologist: ‘My interest in qualitative up-and-coming researchers real academic studies; I am fascinated by the research was sparked during first year, experience of academia as well as training power of the mind and the strong in lectures covering qualitative research and career development support. influence it has over an individual’s methods. During second year we The students will carry out their wellbeing. As a result, my goal is to be completed a module in social psychology research between their second and third part of a field of research that is focused which covered immigration discourse. year of study in a hugely diverse range of on changing lives This sparked my passion to projects. Among those who have been and helping engage in the current research awarded the funding this year are Lorna individuals who as I found the assignment and Philips (University of Liverpool), whose struggle with the lectures so interesting.’ supervisor Catrin Eames told us about mental distress.’ Dr Alexandra Kent their research looking into mindfulness- Stephen Gibson (University of Keele) is based interventions in health service (York St John undertaking a project ‘999 settings. University) and Police call openings: Asking Dr Eames said these interventions student Rachael for help and assessing urgency’ have been identified as having the Booth will be with her student Chloe potential to improve wellbeing in a cost- spending the Waterman. Chloe said she was effective way. She added: ‘Evidence summer carrying still undecided as to whether suggests that service provision within the out a discourse to go down a research or UK health service falls short of the UK analysis of psychotherapy career path, national guidance, with a provision gap broadcast media adding: ‘In either direction in terms of availability of trainers and coverage of UKIP though, I want to instigate increasing demand for services.’ Their during this year’s Katie Thompson looked at change and help people, study will use a cross-sectional online general election. Dr decision making in gambling whether that be directly survey design to explore the provision Gibson said: ‘The with clients and patients or and capacity of mindfulness-based project follows a long line of analyses of indirectly through the advisory role of interventions in the UK. political discourse,’ adding: ‘The novelty social research, with my preference being Lorna will undertake all aspects of the here arises from the rise of UKIP in discursive psychology and, in study and will be trained in the Society’s representing what many commentators particular, given my current experience, ethical procedures as well as ethical have suggested is a “hardening” of working with charities or public service practice for psychological research online attitudes in relation to immigration in providers.’ in terms of consent, anonymisation and recent years. There have been some Chloe has previously worked with procedures for withdrawal. She will also fascinating studies of the rise of UKIP by Kent using data from the NSPCC helpline. develop study measures, collate data and political scientists, such as Robert Ford She said: ‘My other field of study is develop data management skills, and and Matthew Goodwin’s Revolt on the English and I have always leant towards analyse the results. Lorna said: ‘I have just Right, but few attempts to use the tools a more qualitative approach to psychology. of social psychological discourse analysis I have also found myself wanting to find to explore how the party has positioned ways to make more instructive change itself.’ and I see research as a way to do this.’ Gibson explained that discourse We also heard from some of the SOCIETY NOTICES analysis was a broad term for a number of students who were given funding under Practitioner of the Year Award See p.630 approaches to the analysis of language-in- last year’s Undergraduate Research ‘Childhood sexual abuse’ event, Edinburgh, use. He added: ‘This [project] will entail Assistantship Scheme, about the progress October 2015 See p.630 a close attention to the way in which they have made since their projects. Stories of Psychology symposium, London, UKIP politicians use language in order Fatima Tresh (Kent University) looked October 2015 See p.659 to present themselves and their party as into gender biases in recognising PPB Lifetime Achievement Award See p.659 reasonable, rational and tolerant. It will leadership potential in job candidates, 5th European Coaching Psychology also seek to situate this analysis within which, she said, laid the foundation for Conference, London, December See p.663 a broader understanding of the cultural her final-year project and application for DECP Annual Conference and TEP Day, and ideological themes on which UKIP’s postgraduate funding. ‘The scheme gave London, January 2016 See p.663 representatives in the election debates me a head start in a research project that CPD workshops See p.668 draw.’ I am incredibly passionate about, and gave BPS conferences and events See p.669 Rachael will receive training in me a huge advantage in the highly transcription and discourse analysis competitive postgraduate funding

666 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 society application process. I am confident that memory for food advertisements and being awarded the BPS RA was a major food intake after exposure. She has since contributor to receiving my ESRC 1+3 obtained a PhD Scholarship in the Early Society funding for master’s and PhD and I highly Start Facility at the University of recommend applying for anyone who Wollongong in Australia, to start this July. wishes to pursue an academic career.’ ‘I believe that without the opportunity vacancies Another of last year’s recipients, Katie from the BPS I would not have possessed Thompson (Leeds University), said she the experience needed, nor the initial Membership Standards Board had gained much more from the desire to apply for a PhD, so for that I am experience than she expected. Her project truly thankful. I would recommend that National Awarding Committee looked in to how prior outcomes from every one who has the opportunity for EuroPsy – Members a gambling task can influence decision- considers the scheme because it really making behaviour in a subsequent benefited me and gave me a fantastic See advert p.670 gambling task. Recipients of the award insight into psychological research.’ Contact are able to present a poster at the Society’s To apply for the Society’s RA scheme, Liam Gallagher [email protected], Annual Conference, and Katie said this which is available for up to 12 people 0116 252 9585 had been an amazing experience. ‘During each year, the proposed research must my degree my focus shifted from learning give undergraduate students real benefits Closing date 1 October 2015 and exploring areas of interest to as well as tangible training and career obtaining good grades. However, when development support. The awards last Membership Standards Board I attended the conference I was delighted for between six to eight weeks and will Membership Advisory Group – to hear about the various areas of usually be completed in the summer psychology academics were pursuing break before the beginning of the final Members research in, and the encouraging and year of study. See advert p.670 friendly environment renewed my I For an application form and further Contact excitement about psychological research.’ information on eligibility criteria and the [email protected] During her project last year Rachel application process, e-mail Carl Bourton Andy Christer , Smith (University of Liverpool) looked on [email protected]. The 2016 0116 252 9591 into whether body weight predicts award opens for applications in November. Closing date 1 November 2015 Lifetime award

A leading expert in the field of cognitive neuroscience has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society’s Research Board. Professor Glyn Humphreys, Watts Professor of Experimental Psychology and Head of Department at the University of Oxford, has contributed across an unusually broad number of areas, including cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, computational modelling, social cognitive neuroscience and clinical diagnostics. The BBC’s Horizon programme has previously featured his work on visual agnosia, and his work on deficits in theory of mind and on the effects of music on neuro-rehabilitation has featured on BBC News and on BBC Radio 4’s Science Now programme. Professor Humphreys said: ‘I have been fortunate to work with a large number of extremely bright, committed and generous colleagues, and I thank them all. I have also enjoyed the freedom of being able to work on different topic areas as the field has changed and new questions come to the fore – it is one of the joys of being an academic. I am excited now to be working on new developments North East Branch in the field of social cognitive neuroscience, where techniques from Annual Conference cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience are helping us York St John University understand what processes are affected by contrasting forms of social bias. In this area I hope to take forward practical applications Monday 7 September 2015 in screening for deficits in neuropsychological populations as well as carrying out basic research on critical underlying factors.’ The Society’s Research Board makes this award each year to @PsychologyNE on Twitter someone with an outstanding record of personal achievement in For more information visit psychology who has also made significant contributions to the www.kc-jones.co.uk/northeast2015 advancement of psychological knowledge.

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 667 2015 CPD Workshops Professional development opportunities from your learned Society

Expert witness: Responsibilities and business (Workshop 1) 3 September

Expert witness: Report writing (Workshop 2) 4 September

Working successfully in private practice 10 September

Understanding and working with: Hearing voices, delusions and paranoia (DCP) HERTFORD 21 September

Engaging effectively with the supervision and reflective practice process (Cross network) 23 September

Working with refugees and asylum seekers (Cross network) 28 September

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

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

Psychology: Heaven and hell 9 December

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

Follow us on Twitter: @BPSLearning #BPScpd

www.bps.org.uk/learningcentre

668 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 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; 20-21 Oct; 30 Nov - 1 Dec Psychological Coaching/Coaching Psychology (50 Credits, Level 7) Problem Focused Counselling, Coaching & Training 8-9 Dec Certifi cate Courses Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Skills 3-5 November Coaching (15 Credits, Level 5)† 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 30 Sept-1 Oct; 3-4 Nov; 14-15 Dec Distance Learning Courses Problem Focused Counselling, Coaching & Training 8-9 Dec 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 approved by the International Society for All courses approved 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. Part of the International Academy for Professional Development Ltd. Website: www.iafpd.com

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2015 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

2016 Division of Occupational Psychology 6–8 January East Midlands Conference Centre, Notts www.bps.org.uk/dop2016 Annual Conference 26–28 April East Midlands Conference Centre, Notts www.bps.org.uk/ac2016

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 669 National Awarding Committee Membership for EuroPsy Advisory Group Call for Statements of Interest The Membership Standards Board (MSB) is Members recruiting to the UK National Awarding Committee (NAC) for EuroPsy - the The Membership Standards Board (MSB) is European Certificate in Psychology. seeking to appoint Members to join the newly formed Membership Advisory Group Working closely with staff in the Society’s (MAG). Membership team and reporting to the MSB and the European Awarding The group will be led by a Chair appointed Committee, the NAC has authority by the MSB and supported by up to 10 delegated by the European Federation of other Society Members, to include both Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) to act in Fellows and Chartered Scientists, providing all matters related to the award of EuroPsy broad representation of the science and in the UK. practice of psychology and of the areas in which the Society offers specialist EuroPsy is a practitioner award and the registration. NAC is representative of the main professional contexts of psychology in the The MAG will act in an advisory capacity to UK. Applications are invited from the MSB and Society staff on matters psychologists with an interest in the relating to admission to membership of the European perspective who are practising, Society and its specialist registers, awards or, working in Universities and involved in and titles. It will also have decision-making the education and training of psychologists. authority in respect of individual applications for Society Fellowship. For further information, a role specification and Statement of Interest Form, please For further information, a role specification contact Liam Gallagher, Assistant and a Statement of Interest Form please Membership Manager, at contact Andy Christer, Assistant [email protected], or on 0116 252 Membership Manager, at 9585. [email protected] or on 0116 252 9591. Completed Statements of Interest should be received by 1 October 2015 Completed Statements of Interest should be received by 1 October 2015 Further information on EFPA and the EuroPsy award are available via EFPA’s The role will start on 1 November 2015. website: http://www.efpa.eu/

670 vol 28 no 8 august 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?

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read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 671 CPD Workshops

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672 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 Research. Digested. Free.

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‘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

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 673 people do what they do and why they are different since I was very young.’ Were there obvious other influences? ‘Some of my parents’ friends were psychologists

CAREERS ‘You play to your separate and I read about the subject from a young age. I quickly decided it was a way of helping people – of contributing to the strengths and respect them’ world.’ This motive often leads people into clinical or educational psychology, Jackie Sykes and Chris Welford talk to Ian Florance about partnership working but for Jackie occupational psychology was her first and continuing love. ‘People spend so much time at work that psychology has a critical role. Doing bar any psychologists now lead have not only run a company (Sixth Sense and other work as a teenager I got Mportfolio careers, mixing Consulting Ltd) since 2010, they’ve also interested in teams and how you could independent consultancy, one- or just completed the even more mysterious work efficiently together. I studied at Hull two-day-a-week contracts, lecturing and process of successfully writing a book and became Professor Dave Bartram’s writing. Others are self-employed ‘lone together. They describe themselves as research assistant. Dave is one of the UK’s wolves’. These sorts of arrangements ‘rather different people’. I quizzed Jackie leading experts on psychometrics, so it make up in variety what they lack in and Chris about these issues, and others, was logical that I should in turn move on security and work–life balance. in a quiet bar near the Festival Hall in to work at a leading psychometrics Partnership is often seen as the most London. publisher. But I wanted some client-facing fragile of organisational arrangements: if I began by suggesting that if they experience and I cut my teeth at leading two people who own a business fall out are different they must have taken assessment-based companies.’ (and the cliché is that they usually will) different routes to psychology and A big change came when Jackie there’s nowhere to turn. their partnership. Jackie answered first. moved in-house as Head of Talent and But here’s a counter instance: Jackie ‘I wanted to be a psychologist from my Assessment in Centrica’s HR department, Sykes (nee Scullard) and Chris Welford early teenage years. I’ve been asking why then became a business partner for Centrica’s call centres. Jackie had moved from study, to psychometrics to consultancy to in-house work. ‘Working in-house is important for younger occupational psychologists – it teaches them the reality of work environments, the language that’s used, political aspects of work life. Without that understanding you can’t be credible in any role. You also learn how to sell yourself and what you’re offering in a less target-driven and risky context than, say, a consultancy. But, after all the diverse experience, I found I particularly enjoyed working in consultancy roles. I love working with people to enable them to be the best possible version of themselves.’ Jackie and Chris met at the consultancy Penna and stayed there for five years. ‘We’d won a half-million pound deal in the first three months. We were always wondering if we do could this on our own.’ This seemed a good moment to ask Chris about his road to

To check the latest Principal Lecturer Lead Psychologist Associate Professor jobs please go to (Clinical or Forensic) Professor of Psychology www.psychapp.co.uk North West Midlands West £55,000 pa Competitive salaries

674 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 careers psychology, and just how different they in business psychology to everyday help of others. This implied cross-over are became immediately apparent. organisational life.’ of clinical, therapeutic and business Chris in particular sees this difference disciplines is critical in a highly as one of the keys to their success. ‘You pressurised business world and raises ‘…here I am, 30-odd years later’ play to your separate strengths and questions about the organisation of ‘I have no idea why I did a degree in the respect them. You may have different psychology as a profession. subject – maybe my interest in the human skills but you need to have the same ‘It’s the most frightening and exciting condition springs from an unhappy values, otherwise it won’t work. Jackie is project I’ve ever undertaken,’ says Chris childhood. Anyway, I originally wanted a great project manager and saw setting about writing the book. ‘I was haunted to study medicine. I loved biology as up the business as a mega-project – an by questions like – Is it interesting? Is it a subject, but I hated chemistry so, in area I admire but can’t necessarily do.’ insightful? Why should anyone care?’ the end, medicine didn’t appeal. I got The other key to working together seems Did they find it easy to write interested in thinking and feeling rather quite simple: ‘People who get on get together? Jackie is clear. ‘The key thing than the physical aspects of humanity things done.’ was to discuss the base ideas and agree and ended up at Manchester studying They talk about the company in a way on them. Then we divided up the task psychology. I suspect I got more out of that provides a model for others seeking of writing. I researched and penned the the supplementary reading than from to follow their path. ‘We’re on the cusp resources section, which is a major part anything else. When I left I wanted to of changing,’ Chris adds. ‘You need to of the book. Chris wrote the base text. become a psychotherapist, but I felt I was develop continually and up your game. In a sense it’s easier to write a book too young and inexperienced. I liked There’s always more meaning to squeeze together – if one of you loses impetus work and enjoyed working in HR at ICI – from the world.’ Jackie: ‘We have offered the other can help you keep going. And I found pharmaceuticals interesting and a fairly standard menu of services – you feel responsibility to your co-author. ICI was embracing the whole idea of a assessment for selection, talent strategies, Deciding who the readership was going learning organisation.’ reacting to change, coaching, leadership to be was critical. We decided that we When ICI, as Chris puts it, ‘did development and team building. But we’re wanted to write specifically for people the splits’, he thought about becoming a differentiated by going into things at who find business books boring.’ Chris management consultant for a short time. a deeper level and by our understanding adds, ‘I see it as an attempt to democratise ‘It sounded fun and glamorous, and I of the roots of behaviour. Originally we knowledge. We’re saying that work can be thought I might do it for a couple of years seemed to be a me-too business, but that’s a dangerous place, that it is OK to ask for before deciding on a proper job. And here not sustainable. So we introduced the help, but that techniques like mindfulness I am 30-odd years later. I worked all over psychotherapeutic concepts which Chris are not something you have to get the world in public and health sectors for had been particularly interested in and someone to do “to” you. You can practise KPMG then moving to PA Consulting which are often ignored in organisational them yourself. It’s a privilege to share began my love affair with London.’ work. I got very interested in knowledge you’re lucky enough to have Chris did a postgraduate degree transactional analysis.’ gained, and I think psychologists should specialising in employment law. The Chris says that ‘a key question is how think more about this mission.’ Jackie connection between law and psychology to bring the principles of psychotherapy adds, ‘That’s why each section of the book is something I’ve noticed a few times in and psychoanalysis into this area… can serve as the basis of a workshop and these interviews. Psychologists have a fetish about the why we’re also creating a website to go ‘In the later years at PA Consulting scientific paradigm, but in my view it’s with a book to which anyone can I got interested in the human not the only way of understanding the contribute.’ development movement and formally world. The other issue is how to get The book is now launched, the trained in psychodynamic and gestalt invited to do work because of a strong workshops are available and the website approaches. I realised I still really wanted reputation rather than because you’ve had www.sane.works is up and running. This to be a psychotherapist.’ to go out and actively sell your services. integrated approach seems a good model Again, this is a transition any partnership for psychologists who are thinking about or company has to make otherwise you writing something beyond a research ‘You need the same values’ die of exhaustion.’ paper. It’s not just about putting words Both Jackie and Chris agree that, after on paper but on conceptualising the book all this time, they still enjoy working as another business project and reflecting together and that their success in The democratisation of some of the networking ideas that social cooperation is as much to do with knowledge media have introduced. their complementary differences as with They describe their new book Staying We’ve reached the end of our anything else. It’s been apparent from Sane in Business (see www.sane.works) as conversation, but Jackie succinctly sums the way they’ve answered my questions: a ‘calling card, a way of establishing our up one of the main themes while posing Jackie is very considered, careful and reputation professionally’. It’s perhaps no a wider challenge. ‘I wish people would precise in what she says, Chris is more surprise that with the advent of e-books, embrace the idea of dual qualification emotional, perhaps more self-critical. self-publishing systems and online book coaches – that a diversity of approaches In their written self-description they marketing sites that a large number of can create real effectiveness in applied describe it this way: ‘A strategist and professionals, including psychologists, psychology, not to mention in businesses.’ conceptual thinker with a deep and are writing and releasing books at the Perhaps we should leave the very final sometimes disruptive curiosity into the moment. A quick leaf through the word to someone who hasn’t been quoted human condition, and a pragmatist who contents suggests it does exactly what too often in the pages of The Psychologist. plans, organises and gets things done! it says on the tin – looks at how you can Kim Kardashian is quoted as saying: ‘It’s Different people, different styles but with stay sane in the often insane world of fun to have a partner who understands a shared vision of bringing the very best work through your own efforts and the your life and lets you be you.’

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 675 careers Street triage –what, why and how?

Fiona Sweeney outlines an unusual role

s I stepped out of the car and Awalked towards a house that was surrounded by ambulances and police cars, closing off an entire street, I believed I was becoming involved in some sort of military siege. Myself and a colleague were greeted by six police officers all looking somewhat stunned, being condemned as the ‘devil’s spawn’, unable to enter a family home. As we entered with trepidation, we were greeted by a service user known from some time ago, sitting in the family living room reciting prayers, rocking backwards and forwards ferociously, becoming increasingly agitated. She was in the grips of psychosis. Her family, equally distressed, clutching one another’s hands desperate for help, yet not knowing where or whom to turn to. This was to be my first of many shifts working on a street triage pilot, alongside the police. Worryingly, although the police readily have contact with vulnerable individuals, they receive next to no training in mental health. I was surprised at the amount of calls the force control room receives that involve those in distress suffering from poor mental The new Street Triage team formed for York and North Yorkshire health. However, I was equally surprised at the responsibility both call handlers and police officers are expected to bear detention is applied is unsurprising given after being detained on a section 136 is in relation to ensuring the safety of those that many police officers are unaware the scarcely reported. suffering, with no supervision and limited mental health act code of practice states knowledge of conditions. What I was not that professionals should make a decision surprised at, however, was that these using the least restrictive option. What is street triage? service users are at their most vulnerable, Therefore, someone should someone Street triage schemes were launched in desperate for help, yet often receiving come into contact with services they 2013 by the Department of Health due to inappropriate care, with crises not always should receive help and support in the the increased involvement police forces effectively managed due to this lack of community ideally, or be admitted to were having with individuals suffering training and understanding (see hospital without the constraints of being from poor mental health (see tinyurl.com/qgwcdo3). detained under the Mental Health Act. tinyurl.com/md8fe4s). They involve One power that police officers possess There is yet to be a formal dedicated mental health professionals as a way of ensuring those they believe to standardised measure to monitor the use collaboratively working with police have mental health problems are assessed, of section 136 detentions, which raises officers, attending scenes and offering is through a section 136 detention. These concerns around the quality and more tailored interventions in order to have been prominent in the news recently, completeness of the data. This being said, ensure individuals receive the most more so for children and adolescents, and the Care Quality Commission reported appropriate care. have been highlighted as potentially 21,814 section 136 detentions in 2012/13, A typical working day… is not a detrimental for an individual’s mental which is a fall from previous years. working day on a street triage shift. We, state, especially when police cells are However, it has also been found that the much like the police, respond to many used as places of safety (see, e.g. percentage of individuals held on a different incidents involving a variety of tinyurl.com/p6958xy and section 136 who were subsequently individuals of different ages and mental tinyurl.com/no8bvys). However, working detained further under the Mental Health health issues. We usually start the day by within a Crisis Team I have witnessed that Act 1983, has fallen to 17 per cent attending a police briefing at the point police officers’ and mental health compared to 29 per cent in 2007/8. This when police officers hand over their professionals’ hands are sometimes tied, may indicate that the detentions are not shifts. We then continue the shift by based on the limited number of Health always appropriate. Unfortunately, listening to the police radios, and Based Places of Safety. This being said, subsequent data around the individuals responding to incidents we, or the police the readiness at which a section 136 that received mental health follow-up force, feel may involve mental health. In

676 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 careers some cases the individuals we go out to into an emergency response service? I hope, increase understanding whilst see are open to services, yet are in a time When presented with individuals in crisis, decreasing stigma. The future of street where they need additional support. being calm and reflective is imperative. triage schemes is uncertain, and whilst Other cases involve those who have had Projecting the feelings that are influenced they have been found to be successful no apparent involvement with mental by the autonomic nervous system with based on various measurements, I feel health services, yet have reached crisis the external stimuli of blue lights flashing that there is still a long way to go in point. and sirens sounding, would only result in making sure high quality mental health As mental health professionals are professional perceptions being impaired. care is delivered consistently to all readily available to advise police and to It is these perceptions that impact upon individuals that require it. After all, lives attend scenes, street triage has allowed the lives of the service user. are at stake. individuals to received additional input Although no formal research has yet Having the opportunity as a recent from services, and also allowed those with been conducted around the schemes they graduate to become involved in a new no support to receive the help they so have been hailed as a success, with West initiative has fed my ambition to become greatly want. Midlands Police reporting a reduction in a Chartered Psychologist further. Fresh section 136 detentions out of university, it is easy to become (tinyurl.com/o9qnle9). Although this was bogged down in the ever-increasing Current challenges the original intention, I feel they have competition, and need to obtain relevant Due to many of the schemes still being done so much more. Becoming embedded experience. It is easy to have the end goal appraised, little research has been in the police environment, including in sight, yet become lost on the path to conducted around the models of care the attending briefings, is completely alien to reach it. However, being a support worker pilots have adopted and the service-user most working in mental health. Yet this or an allied health professional within experience. At a time gives us centre stage to secondary mental health services gives of mental health crises, spread the message that the such valuable experience. Working within service users can police are not on their own the Crisis Team has focused my attention report feeling exposed, in trying to resolve the upon reflecting on each experience whilst having to wear their distress of those with poor honing the skills learnt, and building the heart on their sleeve, mental health, at least for confidence to continually seek further and relive painful now. It is also an challenges. This post has opened up memories, or engage opportunity for us to many opportunities. I now begin a new in life-threatening educate the police around challenge of facilitating group-based behaviours, simply different mental health psychological interventions for offenders to be heard. In these presentations, debrief upon within the prison service. I hope to gain instances, street triage past issues, and create an a place on a Doctorate in Clinical schemes may prove openness for all around Psychology course in the near future, but beneficial, as it allows talking about mental continue to enjoy my journey of gaining easy access to mental health. Equally, experience on the way. I encourage health care. However, Fiona Sweeney I would not be alone in anyone with a personal interest in mental police officers attend E-mail: saying that mental health health or psychology, looking to get their the scene first, and they [email protected] professionals like to talk. foot on the ladder, to take up a support are the ones to make a Therefore, this message is role in the NHS. Innovation requires fresh judgement of whether repeatedly spread. ideas: ideas that new graduates can bring. street triage assistance is required. Having In a time where NHS professionals are joint working is beneficial. Nevertheless, under much pressure, and there is I also feel that the police may be unaware significant financial doubt concerning the of some ethical considerations mental sustainability of certain services, it is easy health practitioners adhere to, a major for attention to be diverted away from What would you like to see one being consent. patient care. After all, the NHS is covered in these pages? Articles People have the right to choose considered to be a business. However, and interviews can cover any topic

whether to engage with mental health street triage has enabled me, and the contribute related to careers in psychology: services or not, and this decision may clinicians I work with, to refocus upon I Getting on the career ladder, and be influenced by many factors. However, the delivery of efficient and effective care with police presence, there is a concern within the community. It provides us with progressing that service users may feel somewhat a constant reminder of why we chose to I Recent developments and trends obliged, or forced to speak to enter a caring profession – because we in the employment market professionals in fear or doubt around care. As a recent psychology graduate, I ’Warts and all’ accounts of the what may result if they refuse. It is being involved in a new initiative has highs and lows of your working important for all those working on street been an exciting opportunity. One thing I life triage schemes to be mindful of this, and feel that the street triage pilots have not only educate officers around mental brought is openness, and willingness to health presentations, but also the ethical speak out about mental health. There are We rely on your contributions and considerations of working with these instances now when at police briefings we can support you through the individuals. personal experiences of mental health are process. See past examples at Furthermore, at times of crises, timely candidly spoken about. Encouraging this http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/ intervention and support is imperative. behaviour and enhancing individuals’ meets and e-mail suggestions to Street triage aims to respond quickly. insights into a range of mental health [email protected]. However, is there a risk of being moulded problems in different professions will,

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 677 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. Sept 5 Aug 12 Aug 27 Aug Oct 2 Sept 9 Sept 24 Sept 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 Nov 7 Oct 14 Oct 29 Oct 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)

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678 vol 28 no 8 august 2015

Chartered / Registered Psychologist Posts Two Full-time Permanent Posts Locations – Belfast And Rural Area

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) is the lead statutory organisation in the management and supervision of offenders in the community in Northern Ireland. Operating across Northern Ireland through courts and with prisons it works in partnership with other organisations in the rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders. PBNI is seeking to recruit two permanent chartered/registered psychologists. The posts are full-time, permanent. One post will be based in Belfast and one post will be based in a rural area. The post holders will be accountable to the Head of Psychology and Interventions and will primarily be responsible for contributing to the delivery of psychological services in PBNI. He/she will assist in the assessment, treatment, and management of offenders as well as assisting in identifying training needs, the development and delivery of staff training (including induction programmes). Further information and application pack may be downloaded from www.pbni.org.uk/ To check the latest recruitment/vacancies The Probation Board for Northern Ireland is an equal opportunities employer. jobs please go to

Changing lives for safer communities www.psychapp.co.uk

Job Title: Chartered/Registered Psychologists Employer: Probation Board for Northern Ireland

‘This is a particularly interesting and challenging position to advertise please contact: for qualified psychologists to work Giorgio Romano, within a dedicated 020 7880 7556, team of highly [email protected] specialist psychologists. This post offers the opportunity to work within a range of criminal justice settings in the community and with a range of team in addition to working with client groups, including those a wide range of partners appearing at Court for involved in forensic mental sentencing, offenders on health and public protection supervision and licence to the arrangements. Probation Board and life The role is demanding but sentenced prisoners on release professionally rewarding and to the community. You will have offers psychologists with a vision the opportunity to apply your for rehabilitation, the opportunity forensic skills in assessment, to make a difference in offender interventions and supervision of management and public other psychologists within the protection.’

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 679 A team that changes lives. Lead Psychologist Be part of it. (Clinical or Forensic) £55,000c

Alpha Hospital Bury has an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinical or forensic psychologist with expertise in secure mental health services to provide Castlecare is one of the UK’s leading providers clinical leadership to the psychology department. Psychology is a thriving of residential care placements and education for department within the hospital offering a range of interventions for clients on a group and individual basis. The psychologists in the hospital also engage in looked after young people. consultancy, training and research. The successful candidate will oversee the psychology provision across the adult services that include medium and low Our unique, inclusive and supportive approach recognises the needs secure and locked rehabilitation services for males and females. of each individual in our care and is championed by our young, professional and energetic teams. This post will require the candidate to lead the development of the psychological provision in the hospital through their leadership and their skills as a practitioner psychologist. There is a strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary working and on Clinical Psychologist Ipswich, Suffolk patient-engagement and the candidate will be a role-model to other colleagues £44,000 per annum pro rata, 20 hours per week in the hospital. In addition to the leadership element of the role, the successful candidate will also carry a clinical case-load and clinical responsibilities We have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Psychologist to join commensurate to the banding of the role. our team in a four bed service for young people with mental health All applicants will have HCPC registration and it is desirable that candidates have issues who require care and support living in the community. full applied divisional membership of the BPS. The successful candidate will have Closing date: Monday 31st August. to demonstrate experience of working with complex clients in secure care and a track record of leading and developing teams. If you match our commitment to developing and maintaining a therapeutic ethos and environment, then we can promise Applications are also welcome from candidates seeking part-time employment. you attractive rewards, a highly Further information is available at www.alphahospitals.co.uk. supportive working environment To apply for this post please email [email protected], or for further and outstanding prospects. information or an informal discussion about the posts, please contact Christine Sangster, Head of Therapies, on 0161 762 4218. Please apply online at Closing date for applications: 7th August 2015 jobs.priorygroup.com Interviews: 19th August 2015

Support Worker/Therapy Assistant Required in Clapham, London

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a support worker/therapy assistant to assist a lovely 3-year old boy with developmental delay and autism. You will work as a part of a small team and provide a high standard of therapeutic support. You will be supervised by an experienced clinical Part-time Clinical/ psychologist and receive training from a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist. Educational Psychologist Hours: Weekdays during term time 12 noon – 6.30pm (24 hours per week - fl exible on days) Weekends and weekdays during school holidays various am/pm shifts. Salary range £41,487 - £46,346 pa, pro rata Excellent rates of pay: £15.00 - £17.00 per hour St Christopher’s is an independent Special School and Children’s Home Please Call 01844 214669 quoting reference - AQ 0615 providing an integrated waking day curriculum for up to 52 weeks for This post is subject to two excellent references and a successful enhanced DBS check children and young people aged 5-19. We are looking for a part time Clinical/Educational Psychologist to lead our Behaviour Support Team working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of therapists delivering an integrated provision.

The successful candidate needs to have at least 3 years’ experience in working with children/young people with complex learning disabilities and behaviour diffi culties as well as one year’s proven experience of and a strong interest in approaches to behaviour analysis. We offer 7 weeks paid holidays and are looking to appoint to advertise as soon as possible. For further details and an application form please see our website please contact: www.st-christophers.bristol.sch.uk Giorgio Romano, Closing date: 9.00am, Monday 17 August 2015 St Christopher’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to 020 7880 7556, share this commitment. The successful applicant will require an Enhanced [email protected] DBS Check and subscribe annually to the Update Service.

680 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 Barking & Dagenham IAPT Church Elm Lane Health Centre, Dagenham Clinical or Counselling Psychologists/High Intensity Therapists Band 7: £31,072 - £40,964 p.a plus HCAS Permanent, Full-time 37.5 hours Ref: 395-600PTWF

To check the latest jobs please go to We are looking for enthusiastic Psychologists and CBT therapists to provide therapeutic interventions www.psychapp.co.uk for clients referred to Barking & Dagenham IAPT to advertise please within the framework of an IAPT service model. contact: Giorgio Romano, Good knowledge of disorder specific CBT interventions 020 7880 7556, for common mental health disorders in primary care giorgio.romano@ is essential for the role. We are also eager to attract redactive.co.uk Psychologists or CBT Therapists trained in other IAPT modalities such as Behavioural Couples Therapy (BCT), Couples Therapy for Depression (CTfD), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), although this is not essential to the role and opportunities to gain further professional development in these areas may be available. You will be expected to work well within a team setting however you should be able to deliver an autonomous service as part of the role, operating within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of the Barking and Dagenham IAPT service’s policies and Psychotherapist or Psychologist procedures. 37.5 hours per week • c. £30,000 dependent on qualifications and experience There will be an opportunity within these roles to develop The Tuke Centre is looking for a full-time psychotherapist or psychologist to work across our therapy teams, supporting other clinical staff to and deliver evidence based group activities and treatment meet the demand for our services. The Tuke Centre provides community for clients with common mental health presentations. We psychological therapy services, as part of The Retreat. You will be providing actively encourage a team approach and are interested therapy and assessment within the Tuke Centre’s multi-disciplinary team. in developing intensive treatments. We are seeking new The focus of this role is on the day-to-day delivery of clinical excellence, ensuring performance and compliance requirements are met. This is within staff members committed to developing interventions the context of an established and expanding psychological therapies service. that will enhance the wide variety of psychotherapeutic We are seeking staff with qualifications and preferably some experience in IAPT models used within Barking and Dagenham. two or more of the following areas: • CBT • Couples and Family therapy • Psychological and mental For informal enquiries please contact: Louise Locke, Acting • EMDR • Psychodynamic/integrative therapy health assessment Care Pathway Lead, Common Mental Health Disorders, The configuration of working hours is negotiable, but it is likely to include Barking and Dagenham or Dr. Sarah Shillingford, Team early mornings, evenings and Saturday hours. Manager on 0300 555 1018. Should you have any questions about this role, please call Dr Kim Bevan on 01904 430370. To apply, please visit www.nelft.nhs.uk/work-for-us To apply, please visit: www.theretreatyork.org.uk Closing date: 12.00pm on Thursday, 20th August 2015. Closing date: 14 August 2015. Interview date: Tuesday, 25th or Wednesday, 26th August 2015.

The Retreat is an independent hospital and a registered charity (number 1089826). Working towards equal opportunities.

seek and advertise at www.psychapp.co.uk 681 Far from the freak show? REVIEWS

In 1977, when Bernard Pomerance’s play The Elephant Man was first staged, understanding about the psychology of disfigurement was in its infancy. Research articles of the day focused on the many potential benefits of physical attractiveness, positing direct and proportionate relationships between the extent of a person’s attractiveness and the level of social success, educational or occupational achievement and self-esteem the person enjoyed. Set in the 1890s, The Elephant Man focuses on real-life figure Joseph Carey Merrick (known as John, and played by Bradley Cooper), a young man whose appearance and physical health are severely compromised by a progressive disease, distorting his bones and resulting in multiple skin tumours. In the production of the play now showing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, the full extent of Merrick’s disfigurement is described by Dr Treves, a young lecturer in anatomy at The London Hospital with a particular interest in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. Treves refers to greater-than-life- The Elephant Man size medical photographs of John Merrick, Theatre Royal Haymarket while before the audience, initially standing tall and strong, Cooper transforms himself into Merrick through the artful use of altered posture and gait, a distorted facial appearance and impaired interrogate his own belief in the rationality of science as his patient diction. The metamorphosis of a physically imposing Hollywood and friend deteriorates. star into a man twisted and bent by multiple deformities is In so far as he challenges us to better understand first a powerful and sensitive touch by the production, and primes impressions, friendships and long-term relationships, Pomerance the audience to remember throughout the play that underneath might be credited with the ability to see ahead from the 1970s to the disfigurement is a ‘normal’ human being. the present day and our own, more understanding time. However, Abandoned by his parents to a workhouse and dubbed ‘The Pomerance uses Merrick primarily as a device to critique do- Elephant Man’ as the result of his skin condition, Merrick’s only gooding Victorian society rather than exploring an individual option for survival in Victorian England is to make himself a possessed of inner life and character: we see too little reflection spectacle for public amusement. Exploited by a showman charging on the stigmatisation of which he must have been acutely aware, customers to see ‘the freak’, his appearance becomes more or the depression from which he reportedly suffered. shocking to the freak show audiences as his disease progresses, Indeed, reflection and inquiry of this kind has been slow to and the showman eventually casts him loose. The abandoned impact on society in general. Although awareness of the damaging Merrick is rescued by Treves and, funded by donations from effects of derogatory language and the consequences of negative a public appeal, becomes a permanent resident at The London stereotypes and beliefs about the origins and concomitants of Hospital. Unable to recruit nurses to care for him, Treves enlists disfigurement have increased, the personal accounts of many of the help of a celebrated actress, weary of the stage, to visit those affected still resonate with (albeit less frequent) examples Merrick. Encouraged by Treves to ‘rehearse’ beforehand to enable of discrimination and stigma in multiple forms. Our attitudes may her to withstand the shock of Merrick’s appearance, Mrs Kendall is have moved on from the crude caricatures of the 1890s (and to a quick to see past his disfigurement to the man beneath, and vows lesser extent the 1970s too), but the ever more airbrushed beauty not only to visit regularly herself, but also to use her social ideals portrayed in the media reinforce the reality that living with connections to provide Merrick with a coterie of ‘friends’. As a visible difference in this social context is unlikely to become less Merrick exchanges the baying mob for the gentle attentions of high challenging in the foreseeable future. This play reminds us that, society, who bring expensive gifts and showily chorus their sense while we have come a long way from the freak shows, we should of identity with him, an affable temperament, imaginative be doing much more to challenge the myth that physical sensibility and keen wit emerge to lighten the play. Merrick appearance is the key to happiness and success in life. becomes a noble savage of sorts, his trustfulness and charm a mirror reflecting the intolerance and hypocrisy of others. When I Reviewed by Professor Nichola Rumsey, Centre for Appearance Treves realises that Merrick’s condition leaves him only a few Research, University of the West of England, and Lettie Kennedy. years to live, Merrick graduates to tragic hero, prompting Treves to The play runs until 8 August: see www.trh.co.uk/whatson/3637

682 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 reviews

Thinking deeper The Intercultural Mind: Connecting Culture, Cognition and Global Living Joseph Shaules

I had expected this book to be mostly aimed It was a great pleasure to see familiar key concepts as well as a at those who work and study abroad and cases, such as the oft-cited Phineas discussion quote taken from want not just to survive their time away, but Gage, the much studied workings of within the preceding chapter. to get the most out of it. I was pleasantly perception and the use of fMRI all knitted With applications outside of the field of surprised that this vastly oversimplifies together with the work of Kahneman, plus international travel and the classroom it is what the author has actually achieved. the author’s, and his students’, own well worth a read to see familiar Much like culture itself, this book works experiences and anecdotes. It all builds psychological studies applied to a specific on a number of levels. While it does help to the conclusion that not just our cultural subject in a lively and practical way. those who find it difficult coping with being outlook, but all of our thinking is shaped abroad to understand why, Shaules also and influenced in a myriad of nuanced and I Intercultural Press; 2015; Pb £14.99 pulls together an overview of both the subtle ways that we aren’t even aware of. Reviewed by Louise Beaton who is an Open influences on the unconscious mind and This isn’t Shaules first book on the University psychology graduate how this in turn impacts on our interactions subject. He is clearly both an expert in and with the world. passionate about helping people understand Heartwarming Although it is written to be accessible the influence their own cultural viewpoint to those with little knowledge of psychology, can have. Interestingly, it is written by an Our Time of Day: My Life with to those that have some knowledge of the American living in Tokyo, which gives the Corin Redgrave subject it is a fascinating case study. book an occasional slightly American slant, Kika Markham Fittingly, for a book on interculturalism, providing an incidental example of the reader is taken on an enthusiastic and interculturalism in action. intriguing journey through a surprisingly Shaules states upfront that culture itself The late Corin Redgrave, an actor and wide array of sources, weaving a picture of is nebulous concept that is difficult to define, political activist, was 65 when he suffered a our understanding of our unconscious mind. but each chapter ends with definitions of the severe heart attack, which led to an anoxic brain injury. In this honest and moving memoir, his wife Kika Markham describes Finding expression their upbringings and life together prior to his brain injury, before detailing the Instrumental: A Memoir of Madness, Medication and Music devastating effect the brain injury had James Rhodes upon Corin and the rest of the family. Many typical symptoms of a brain injury This book is the product of a their families, memories mental health problems. are touched upon throughout the memoir, child’s battle to find escape and experiences. Their It also underlines the need such as disinhibition and cognitive and then meaning from behaviour is often a for child victims to find difficulties. Corin’s extensive memory unimaginable hurt to the monotonous cycle of expression (classical music problems are evident when he admits he body and self. James vulnerability, rejection, in Rhodes’s case), a has forgotten his life with Kika. A poignant Rhodes was regularly shame, blame and meaningful narrative and theme throughout is Kika’s ongoing abused by a male school helplessness. Discord attuned healthy connection dilemma; wanting her husband home teacher from the age of six. replaces the harmony and with others in order to be but being afraid of having to care for him. He is now a classical pianist, real joy in relationships. able to live with the damaged The featured extracts from Corin’s but still fighting to express Trauma that has no self. In common with many journal offer an insight into the thoughts his feelings – the Supreme explanation overshadows traumatised children, and feelings of an individual with a brain Court recently overturned every aspect of life and Rhodes demonstrates that injury. In these extracts, he expresses his his ex-wife’s injunction to tempts destruction of that he has not lost the spirit and disorientation and confusion. It was prevent him publishing (she life. Rhodes shows us the creativity that draws his interesting how, despite these deficits, wanted to protect their son painful truth, and we can audience in and engenders Corin was able to return to work, showing from his father’s distress). either stay with it, or hope. His memoir may not the often seen disparities between cognitive One broadsheet critic complain that we have be a work of technical and functional abilities. complained that the memoir heard it all before and literary note, but it is surely This engaging and thought-provoking is ‘monotonous’ and teaches demand he offers us a bit an enlightening piece in book serves to remind practitioners of the us little about Rhodes’s of variety. Children who have terms of the lifelong enormous strain families come under early years and family. been abused need people psychological, social and caring for their relatives. The compassion Although it may be a literary who can stick with them physical cost of ‘child rape’ the family shows for one another in these ‘recitative’ – conversational and bear their repetitions. as Rhodes more accurately circumstances is heartwarming. Kika aimed and frenetic, as if he is in This then, is an describes his experience. to give comfort to families going through the consulting room – it important memoir similar experiences: this she does with her offers a genuine illustration psychologically, as it I Canongate; 2015; Hb £16.99 accessible and direct writing style. of the impact of trauma on eloquently illustrates the Reviewed by Lynne Hipkin the human psyche. Children trajectory from sexual abuse who is a Registered Clinical I Oberon Books; 2014; Hb £16.99 who are groomed, betrayed, that is never properly Psychologist in independent Reviewed by Natalie Jones who is an exploited and threatened do recognised, to dysfunctional practice and with Kate Assistant Psychologist, St Andrew’s become disconnected from relationships and serious Cairns Associates Healthcare

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 683 reviews

The nature of belief Compassionate and respectful Going Clear: Scientology Dementiaville and the Prison of Belief Channel 4 Alex Gibney (Director) One of the tragedies of dementia is just how places little value on The director of this new film has a long and easy it becomes to lose connections to our professional care work, impressive career as a documentary-maker. pasts and to our loved ones. Channel 4’s it is a relief to see a From paedophilia in the Catholic church recent three-part documentary series care home that shows (Mea Maxima Culpa) to the creation of Dementiaville shows different approaches to care work as Wikileaks (We Steal Secrets) and Lance how individuals living with dementia and challenging, rewarding Armstrong’s doping career (The Armstrong their loved ones can be supported to reforge and essential. It would Lie), Alex Gibney has long been interested and maintain these connections. have been in truth, lies and self-deception. That he has The first episode, ‘Poppy Lodge’, shows enlightening, however, made a film about Scientology should come a residential home that takes a controversial to show other approaches to dementia care. as no surprise. approach to caring for residents with Episode two looks at three families who The film falls broadly into two parts, dementia. Called the ‘Butterfly Household feel they have lost their relative to dementia. with the first half examining how L. Ron Model of Care’, staff members do not Dr David Sheard listens to their stories and Hubbard came to develop his ideas. Just by correct residents’ beliefs that they are in discusses ways in which they can find that itself, this part is fascinating, especially if their own pasts. Instead, they embrace and connection again. Communication is (like me) you were only vaguely aware of his actively encourage this subjective reality. improved through understanding that the science fiction writing career, and Proponents of this approach claim that it language of dementia is one of emotion, completely unaware of his personal life. reduces anxiety and depression. However, rather than one of facts and sequential Hubbard does not bear much resemblance critics argue that it is untruthful and logic. Dr Sheard encourages including and to the character he supposedly inspired, therefore undermines the dignity of people empowering family members with dementia Lancaster Dodd, in the 2012 film The Master. experiencing the later stages of dementia. rather than taking over from them, resulting Dodd is sophisticated, charismatic and self- Leaving aside ethical issues, staff at in a more integrated family unit despite the knowing. But in the footage unearthed by Poppy Lodge can only be admired for their challenges of dementia. Gibney, Hubbard comes across as all compassionate and respectful approach. The final episode looks at wives whose bluster, a compulsive story-teller who is The genuine warmth of the relationships husbands have been diagnosed with aware, on some level, that he has lost the between staff and residents shines through dementia, and the immense challenges they ability to tell his stories from his truth. in every moment shown on screen. Efforts face. The episode shows the benefits of There is the sense of Hubbard to maintain individuals’ connections to their support, both from other partners of people desperately seeking answers to questions pasts, rather than merely attending to their living with dementia, and from professionals that psychology or psychiatry were still physical needs in the present, are shown at Ivy House, a day facility that emphasises poorly equipped to address in the 1950s. His here to be hugely beneficial. In a society that person-centred care. The couples are book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was what he came up with, and it was a best seller. The Church of Scientology followed soon after. It is interesting to see A star turn the development of auditing, a key Everyman component of Scientology and the only way National Theatre, London in which a person can ‘go clear’. It struck me as akin to a form of counselling, with The new director of the National Theatre, consider what the an element of the church confessional. Rufus Norris, kick-starts his tenure with purpose of his existence After Hubbard’s death in 1986, this retelling of the 15th-century morality has been, and how he will leadership fell on David Miscavige and the play Everyman, written by the Poet Laureate, account for his life in front Scientology we are perhaps more familiar Carol Anne Duffy. With Chiwetel Ejiofor on of God, a dowdy cleaning with appears: the Hollywood connections, board, nothing else about it might have lady. Has he done anything which will the battles with the IRS, and an extreme mattered. Ejiofor is a genuine, A-list impress her, and maybe even get her to resistance to anyone leaving the Hollywood star with the elusive X-factor, and change her mind about Death? organisation. Less familiar accusations, Norris must have known that audiences In contrast to the simple story, the including exploitation and physical abuse, would throng no matter what the play was staging is anything but: all sorts of dances, are also made. Intertitles inform us like. It is to everyone’s credit, therefore, that songs, music, costumes, make-up, video repeatedly of the right to reply offered to it was decided to try out something a bit projections and props whizz past. Mountains Scientology. On occasions it is hard to know different. Not avant-garde exactly, but of rubbish glide majestically across the whether to laugh, cry or simply be appalled certainly a distance away from more stage, silver dummies float above it, and at what the ex-Scientologists interviewed conventional plays. even a tent is used to eye-catching effect. say. Is it the individual or the collective that The plot is extremely simple, in order Everything is kept going by the constant is responsible for creating the ‘prison of to clearly demonstrate the moral points. inventiveness of the production, a rich seam belief’? Characters are allegorical, so there’s no of humour, and of course the considerable interest in back stories or motivations. acting ability on stage. Ejiofor is magnetic: I http://goingclear.squarespace.com In a nutshell, Ejiofor is the eponymous initially stunned by God’s decision, he Reviewed by Kate Johnstone who is a Everyman, and God (Kate Duchêne) has becomes increasingly desperate as Death postgraduate student at UCL and Associate decided to send Death (Dermot Crowley) meanders closer and closer. Editor (Reviews) to take him away. This forces Everyman to Yet ultimately, Everyman’s tale no longer

684 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 reviews

A good giggle, but failing to gratify Decision (exhibition) Hayward Gallery, London

encouraged to revisit and reconnect with Our everyday existence is I have hardly key moments of their lives together. In arguably but a string of started to enjoy this way, the couples make the most of decisions to be taken; for the experience when their memories together, before these the most part we are I emerge abruptly – memories are lost to dementia. effectively unaware that with reunited with Throughout all three episodes, each step we make, each explorers of the message that life does not end with turn we take, each word we entrance B – into the dementia is displayed front and centre. utter, we settle on one main gallery space It shows that, with support, individuals outcome in favour of a where we are confronted unlike George Stratton’s with dementia and their families can live sometimes infinite number with a mobile of ‘flying 1890s experiment. As with well with the condition. The series does not of alternatives. At its most mushrooms’. The space most of the show, it’s a good set out to shock, as so many media elementary, however, quickly fills up, as more and giggle, but does not actually portrayals of dementia have done, but is decision making may mean more subjects are ejected lead to ‘moments of not compassionate and respectful, and simply selecting one of two by the entrance tunnels; we knowing’. interspersed with poignant moments. options; this is the premise decide to move on. The installations do in All three episodes of Dementiaville focus of Belgian scientist-turned- The next stop on what fact awaken a desire to be almost entirely on the experiences of carers artist Carsten Höller’s turns out to be a string of surprised, but do not deliver, and relatives – it would have been exhibition Decision. bite-sized experience units remaining superficial and interesting to hear more from the The exhibition of course is the pill clock. Falling from failing to gratify, almost like individuals with dementia themselves. opens with a decision. To the ceiling periodically, the an anticipated and never I spoke to Keith Oliver, Kent and enter the gallery space, we pills amassing on an ever executed sneeze. The Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership are asked to take note of growing pile on the gallery exhibition is marked by a Trust Dementia Service User Envoy, and he a set of general guidelines floor can either be left vexing lack of friction, never concluded: ‘With the exception of the title, printed on an information untouched or imbibed. We quite achieving its intention I feel the series is a fair and accurate sheet and then to select pick up pills, surely of promoting contemplation, portrayal utilising positive strategies to entrance A or entrance B, placebos, although the lack yet not ready to let go of support both the person with the diagnosis being advised to proceed of allergy advice repudiates conventional notions of what and their loved ones.’ with caution. Given Höller’s the science experiment an art show is supposed to background as a scientist, scenario, and proceed. be and embracing its I Reviewed by Lewis Slade, who is a this mode of operation is A perception-altering state potential to simply be a psychology graduate, University of Kent hardly surprising. His art fails to emerge, as does playful and light-hearted show ‘laboratory’ turns some form of intellectual experience. Before being – visitors into test subjects revelation. Making our way predictably – herded out and aims to encourage further into the exhibition, through the gift shop, we interaction and reflection, a row of virtual-reality leave the exhibition via its and liberation from the headsets awaits. Two main attraction, the ‘dictatorship of the separate paths through ‘Isomeric Slides’ which predictable’. a forest– one for each currently grace the gallery’s has the allegorical power that In keeping with the eye – are mildly facade. Höller sees them as it must have had 500 years ago. binary nature of his discombobulating, but far sculptures which you can The prospect of being judged premise, Höller forgoes the from challenging and fail to travel through, but by God, and found wanting, typology of a maze – which lead to a reconsidering of ultimately they are must have been sobering then. is designed to offer a our perception of decisions entertainment park flumes. Presumably few in the audience will think this multitude of choices and taken. The slides are paradigmatic will be the case now, but the play struggles to paths – in favour of two Upstairs, the spiel of the exhibition: good fun, provide an alternative, modern-day intertwined labyrinth- continues and as we make but don’t expect to be truly resonance. It attempts to equate Everyman’s tunnels, where explorers our way from one exhibit to intellectually challenged or personal consumerism with mankind’s follow predetermined the next, the main choice we to question perception on an wanton use of the earth’s resources. There’s routes. My companion are confronted with is existential level. even a tsunami (don’t sit near the front). But and I decide to explore whether to wait our turn or this fails to stimulate the underlying fear alternative trajectories. decide to simply experience I Reviewed by Fiona Zisch that 15th-century audiences must have felt Using entrance A, I find vicariously by watching who is an architectural when contemplating their own judgment day. myself in a dim, airduct-like other visitors brave the lecturer at the University of Nonetheless, Everyman is worth catching for tunnel which is pierced ‘flying machines’ or stumble Westminster and University the considerable talent involved, both on periodically by slivers of around wearing upside- of Innsbruck, and PhD by stage and off. light filtering in through the down goggles. The goggles Design candidate at the seams of its metallic skin. sit loosely on your head and Bartlett School of I Reviewed by Kate Johnstone who is a At first gingerly feeling my the mirror inside does not Architecture, University postgraduate student at UCL and Associate way forward, before long my cover your entire field of College London. The Editor (Reviews). Everyman is playing at the pace up and down the vision, failing to truly exhibition runs until 6 National Theatre until 30 August. narrow corridor increases. challenge spatial cognition, September.

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Emotions in mind Inside Out Pete Docter & Ronaldo Del Carmen (Directors)

Inside Out is an animated movie, friends, she loses made by Pixar and Disney, that confidence, and perhaps takes us into the mind of an worst of all she loses appealing 11-year-old girl, Riley. childhood. The mind, it turns out, is a Memories, which include complex place. In its autobiographical events such Headquarters there’s a console as scoring one’s first goal in that looks like something one ice hockey, are contained, it might find in a television studio. turns out, in balls about the At the console sits a row of size of grapefruit. Each ball inner characters: the emotions, has a colour (green for joy, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and red for anger, blue for Disgust, who push the buttons sadness). They are stored and pull the levers. in huge 20-foot-tall racks These characters have arrayed in vast halls. The become familiar to racks are visited by workers psychologists as basic emotions, with a large vacuum the facial expressions of which machine that sucks up and were reported by Paul Ekman disposes of memories that and colleagues to be won’t be used again, early recognisable in widely different piano lessons, names of cultures. (Surprise was people from history classes, apparently omitted because the and so on. There’s also the director felt the ‘Fear’ character question of which memories could display that too.) Dacher become Core Memories: Keltner went to work with happy, or sad, or angry, or Ekman as a postdoc, and fearful, or rejecting. And, as became an authority on how research has shown, Core Still in exile, can Joy and in chains the passions: Feare, specific emotions direct social Memories based on each Sadness get back to Despaire, Choler, Hope, and so interactions. At the end of the emotion are more likely to Headquarters by catching the on. In Inside Out, there’s no film’s credits, thanks are given return to consciousness during rickety-looking Train of equivalent of Reason. It’s the to Ekman and Keltner for periods when that emotion Thought? Or might an imaginary emotions who work the console guiding the film-makers on becomes predominant. friend of early childhood, who at Headquarters. They all seem what they call ‘this emotional With the losses that the also wanders in the lost regions loyal to Riley, but they vie with journey’. (Disclosure: I am move to San Francisco have of forgetfulness, be of any help? each other for domination. a co-author with Keltner of caused, some Core Memories There has been a tradition The tradition of personifying the textbook Understanding that used to be joyful become in the West of personifying the human emotions has been a Emotions.) sad. Joy becomes no longer the emotions which, until two productive one. It enables us to Keltner is a professor at principal controller of Riley’s hundred years ago, were called stand a bit outside ourselves, Berkeley and, in the online console. The previously equable passions. Plato had the soul and at the same time to look magazine he started there, Riley has a row with her parents, represented as a charioteer within ourselves. Inside Out is called Greater Good, he writes and is sent to her room. Anger, driving two horses, one that a good example of this tradition that some years ago, when their Fear, and Disgust have taken represented the noble passions and being very 21st century it daughters were in their pre-teen charge. Not long afterwards, and one that represented the uses the latest technology of years, the travails of parenting Joy and Sadness are sucked unruly passions of appetite. In computer-animation and 3D bonded him with Pete Docter, out of Headquarters altogether. medieval times Guillaume de movie-making. It’s a thoughtful who later became one of the Dragging Sadness along Lorris wrote the first part of film to which psychologists can writers and directors of Inside with her, Joy wanders among Le Roman de la Rose, in which take their pre-teen and teenage Out. ‘When [children] get to their the racks of stored memories. a courtier enters a garden and children, and be ready to preteens and early teens,’ writes Although Sadness seems a meets an aristocratic young discuss what – for goodness Keltner, ‘it’s like the world miserable kind of being, it’s she woman whom he starts to woo. sake – might be going on in that crashes down on them.’ This who will be the heroine of this His consciousness is mysterious and fascinating crash involves a large drop in film. The story is a moving one; represented by Hope, Sweet place, the mind. happiness. In this film, the drop we become strongly engaged Thought, Reason, and so on. begins when Riley’s mother and when Joy and Sadness, leave She too is a cast of characters: I Reviewed by Keith Oatley father, and of course Riley the halls of memory and topple Welcome, Status, Danger, Fear, who is Professor Emeritus herself, move from Minnesota out of the mind altogether. How and Shame. In the 17th century, in the Department of Applied to San Francisco. Riley loses the can they get back? By now, at Jean-François’s Senault’s The Psychology and Human ice-hockey team in which she Headquarters, Anger is driving Use of Passions shows Reason, Development, University of used to enjoy playing, she loses Riley to run away from home. advised by Divine Grace, holding Toronto

686 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 reviews

A book for all Landmarks Robert Macfarlane

‘This is a book about the power of language world’, a create accounts – through narrative, poems, – strong style, single words – to shape our ‘glossary of paintings, photographs, maps and more – sense of place.’ So begins this field guide to enchantment which might restore both particularity and the literature Macfarlane loves, which for the whole mystery to the moor. One of these ‘moor- doubles as a word hoard of wood, water and earth’. This is works’ was made by Anne Campbell and earth. There are thousands of terms from no academic Jon MacLeod, a booklet entitled A-mach an dozens of languages and dialects for specific exercise: ‘once a landscape goes Gleann, or ‘A known wilderness’. They aspects of landscape, nature and weather. undescribed and therefore unregarded,’ mapped their moor walks, reconstructing That specificity is key – Macfarlane writes writes Macfarlane, ‘it becomes more the memory maps of ‘the people who about writing ‘so fierce in its focus that it can vulnerable to unwise use or improper traversed this landscape before and after change the vision of its reader for good, in action’. This is what happened on the the peat grew, naming features to navigate both senses’. And his own precision achieves Brindled Moor of Lewis, in the Outer their way round’. In this way they filled the just that… there are not many books I would Hebrides. In 2004 the engineering company island with ‘drifts of sparkling bog-cotton, call life-changing, but this is one. AMEC proposed Europe’s largest wind farm, ‘scarlet damselflies’ and hundreds of words As with any good magician, I couldn’t beginning a three-and-a-half-year battle for peat alone. Amidst 10,924 letters of begin to describe how Macfarlane operates. over the nature and the future of the moor. objection, the moor was saved. How does he, and each author he reveres, At the heart of the struggle was language: Macfarlane quotes Tim Dee: ‘Without conjure a thicket of verbs, qualifiers and those for the development dismissed the a name made in our mouths, an animal or metaphors, yet simultaneously slash island’s interior as ‘a wilderness’, a place struggles to find purchase in our through sentences to reveal simple and ‘abominable’, ‘a vast, dead place’. The minds and our hearts.’ That is why this is striking images? I am so in thrall of him that islanders, around 80 per cent of whom a book for all – it gives a glossary for the the idea of ‘reviewing’ his work is laughable. expressed opposition to the plans, realised natural world to talk back, and for us to All I can do is offer a particular example of they faced a daunting task where, in the listen. Words, wherever or however we use why this book should be required reading for words of islander Finlay MacLeod, ‘the them, can ‘keep us from slipping off into psychologists as well as for lovers of necessary concepts and vocabulary are abstract space’. language. not to hand; it is therefore difficult to make Macfarlane fantasises about the a case for conservation without sounding I Hamish Hamilton; 2015; Hb £20.00 existence of a ‘Counter-Desecration either wet or extreme’. Reviewed by Dr Jon Sutton who is Phrasebook that would comprehend the So the islanders began to salvage and Managing Editor of The Psychologist

A manual for better living

Science for Life For a full list of books

Brian Clegg contribute available for review and information on This is a very sensible little book, despite its hit the tabloids at the end of 2014, reviewing for The being written in a style as accessible as most and summarises the original Psychologist, see health journalism. Within the first few hundred research. www.bps.org.uk/books words, some very prudent advice has been The book is not purely about diet given. This, for example, on diet: ‘Don't eat too and health – though this will be a Send books for potential much – if you are putting on weight, eat less. popular section. There is also advice review to The Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (and don’t on the environment, psychology, Psychologist, make them into smoothies as this ruins the valuable knuckle-cracking, TV violence and wine critics. Short 48 Princess Road East, fibre)… It’s not strictly part of a diet, but add “don’t chapters drill down to the real knowns on self-esteem Leicester LE1 7DR smoke” and “take sensible exercise” and you’ve got and the Mozart effect (the study that sales of Baby an instant health plan.’ Which sounds as reasonable Mozart CDs are predicated upon was only done on ‘Reviews’ now covers so as something that Michael Pollan may write, yet in students). One essay considers the way that we all use much more than books: if this book the edicts are backed by evidence stronger patterns and heuristics to navigate the world and, with you have seen or heard a than anecdote. a grimace-making flourish, highlights the annual cost psychological film, play, A few wise rules are reiterated. Correlation is of my workday coffee habit. exhibition, podcast, not causation. Take journalism reports with a pinch And herein lies the issue that could dismay the website, album or of salt. In a kind of hybrid of an anti-Daily Mail and many authors and publishers: despite whole genres anything else, do get in the debunking of headlines that @NHSchoices of diet books and self-help it seems that just one touch on occasionally provides, the author reminds us that the smallish book can summarise the whole of current [email protected] or endless task of sorting every item into the binary knowledge on how to live well and that it can do so follow us on Twitter categories of things that cure and things that cause rather better than most. @psychmag for cancer is creating a false dichotomy. He reads the suggestions and research papers that are the germ behind the I Icon; 2015; Hb £16.99 competitions. headlines, including the up-to-date stories such as Reviewed by Sally-Ann S. Price FRCS who is diet fizzy drinks causing weight gain and diabetes that Neurosurgery Senior Registrar, Southmead, Bristol

read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk 687 want to go in mind, but you’re selective map of the terrain flexible about how you get of qualitative research but … with Victoria Clarke there (or indeed, ending up presenting it as the definitive somewhere slightly different). map. I’d like to see greater I always refer to this in recognition of the diversity ‘put down your data teaching – it seems to help and complexity of qualitative

ONE ON students grasp the ethos of research in attempts to map and go out for a walk’ qualitative research. the terrain in the future. One nugget of advice for One thing you like about supervising and teaching qualitative research qualitative psychology A sense of play, fun even, I find that students have little and creativity, particular when or no conception of the messy analysing (qualitative) data. One place gender performativity, and ‘realities’ of qualitative research Analysing data is like having I’m lucky to live somewhere the importance of thinking at first, and this can be hugely a puzzle to solve. Not in the very beautiful – a small town intersectionally. anxiety provoking (‘I’m doing sense that the analysis is on the southern edge of the it all wrong!’). Trying to hiding in the data waiting Cotswolds. Going for an One tool ‘normalise’ the mess and share to be found (an assumption evening walk, hearing cows Mindfulness. More often anxieties can help to build that is another source of mooing… On my first family an aspiration than an confidence. irritation!), but in the sense holiday in the Cotswolds as a achievement. But an amazing that you need to generate teenager I fell in love with the tool for managing stress, One publication you landscape, and remember focusing on what’s important, are proud of thinking ‘I want to live here’. and skilful living. Right now I’d say my book Successful One book One challenge for Qualitative Research Changing the Subject by Julian qualitative psychology (Sage), co-authored Henriques and colleagues. Demand among students with my friend and Read over and over, and for qualitative research colleague Virginia highlighted in all the colours supervision far outstrips the Braun. It was something of the rainbow, as a student. number of supervisors with of an epic undertaking It fundamentally changed my qualitative expertise. to write an authored view of what psychology text covering all the could and should be. One cultural basics of the entire recommendation qualitative research One documentary The film Pride, based on the journey. I use Jennie Livingston’s true story of a group of lesbian fabulous documentary Paris is and gay activists who raised One hope for the Burning (1990) about the drag money to help support miners future ball culture of the black and and their families during the Greater understanding and a framework for your analysis Latino gay and trans miner’s strike in 1984–1985. It acceptance of qualitative that pulls together your key community in New York in is both delightfully funny and research. Things have changed analytic insights in a coherent the 1980s to teach students poignant. a lot even in the relatively and compelling way. Ideally, about the social construction short period of time I have with a bit of creativity injected of gender and sexuality, and One nugget of advice for been a qualitative to into it (I am rather fond of aspiring qualitative psychologist, not least with theme and paper titles that psychologists the establishment of the reference popular culture or Victoria Clarke I love Ruben and Ruben’s Qualitative Methods in play on popular sayings). is Associate Professor (1995) characterisation of Psychology Section of the BPS, in Sexuality Studies at qualitative interviews as ‘on but there is still some way to One thing that you would the University of the target while hanging loose’ go. It would be great to see change about psychology West of England, Bristol in their book Qualitative qualitative methods being A greater recognition that – as Victoria.Clarke@ Interviewing. That you have taught alongside quantitative critical psychologist Ian Parker uwe.ac.uk a general sense of where you methods from day one on (2005) has put it – ‘what is undergraduate psychology “inside” is dependent on what programmes. is “outside”’.

The school transition, academic resilience, and much more... One source of irritation One final thought I Contribute: reach 50,000 colleagues, with something to suit all. See The assumption that (good) Good qualitative research www.thepsychologist.org.uk/contribute or talk to the editor, Dr Jon qualitative research involves requires time to think and Sutton, on [email protected], +44 116 252 9573 ‘code books’, inter-rater reflect. So put down your data reliability scores and other and go out for a walk! 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 measures to establish coding rates: see details on inside front cover. ‘reliability’. In other words, More answers online at providing a partial and highly www.thepsychologist.org.uk

688 vol 28 no 8 august 2015 www.hogrefe.co.uk Global psychometrics excellence

Ability Clinical Attention Consulting Achievement Training Occupational Collaboration Educational Aptitude Development Behaviour Leadership Personality International 2016 The 3rd International Conference of Metacognitive Therapy Milan

Pre-congress workshops: 7 April CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Conference: 8 - 9 April YOU ARE INVITED TO Venue: Palazzo Mezzanotte SUBMIT PAPERS, POSTERS AND SYMPOSIA esearch question, method, Presenting the latest developments and evidence (Background/r in Metacognitive Therapy and its applications. results, conclusion. 175 words max) This conference covers state-of–the art work on Abstacts should be submitted using the conference submission template,2016/ available assessment, mental processes, research and to download from the Conference website: treatment across a wide range of disorders. www.mctconference.com/ There will be workshops, keynotes, master-clinician presentations, posters and symposia.

Presenters: Symposia and Clinical Presentations:

• Prof. Adrian Wells (UK) • Attention training • Addictions • Dr. Thomas A. Fergus (USA) • Group MCT • Schizophrenia • Medical conditions • Social anxiety • Dr. Peter Fisher (UK) • Trauma and PTSD Processes: • Prof. Hans M. Nordahl (Norway) • Generalized anxiety disorder • Worry • Prof. Marcantonio M. Spada (UK) • Major depressive disorder • Rumination • Prof. Cesare Cornoldi (Italy) • Obsessive compulsive disorder • Attention • Eating disorder • Mental regulation • Dr. Costas Papageorgiou (UK) • Borderline personality disorder • Meta-beliefs • Dr. Sandra Sassaroli (Italy) • Children and adolescents • Control processes

Secretariat, MCT Conference Via Egencia P.O.Box 27 NO-7400 Trondheim, Norway E-mail: [email protected] Phone:(+47) 73 80 77 20 www.mct-institute.com