October 2009 Issue 2
The Importance of Being Musical
Presenting The Brand New Staff Section Featuring Maggie Snowling
Features: How To Grow Up Properly 4 Savant Syndrome: The key of the myth to unlocking neural processing? 6 The Sense Of Music 8 Ever Thought Of Working With Children? Try A.T.E! 10 Unlucky for Some 11
Classical Psychology: On Pigeons, Missiles and Utopia 12
Pop Psychology: The Psychological Cinema 14 Scents and Sensibility 15 Why So Serious? 16
Psych Soc: Welcome Freshers! 19
Meet The Staff: Maggie Snowling 20 My PhD and Me 21
Interview: Katie Slocombe 23
Editors Letter: )UHVKHUV:HOFRPHWRWKHVHFRQGLVVXHRI3V\FK2XW3V\FK6RF¶VVWXGHQWPDJD]LQH:HKRSH\RXDUHHQMR\LQJWHUP and are recovered from Freshers Week! In this issue we talk savants, pigeons and ping pong, musical babies, angry chimps and the seven tips to happiness! If you want to get involved or have any suggestions (good or bad!) then email us at [email protected] and don't forget to join us on Facebook!! Also any references cited in this issue can be found at on the PreCognition website. Enjoy! The PsychOut Team
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,¶GOLNHWRLQWURGXFH\RXWRRXUDPD]LQJWHDPRIZULWHUVIRUWKLVLVVXHDQG also to thank them for all their hard work!! ,I\RX¶GOLNHWRJHWLQYROYHGLQWKHQH[WLVVXHRI3V\FK2XWDQGVHH\RXU name (and face) up in lights then drop me a email at [email protected] or search for our Facebook group!!
Grace Rice Robert Stuart Editor Adele Goman
Angela Kirby Hannah Belcher Ivan Alvarez Klaudia Mitura
Issue 2 Guest Writers:
Cassie Barton Alex Knight
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7KLVLVRXUIHDWXUHVVHFWLRQ ZKHUHODUJHWRSLFVLQ3V\FKRORJ\ZLOOEHGLVFXVVHG,I\RX¶GOLNH to see a topic in here which isn't ,let us know either by Facebook message or by email: [email protected] How to grow up properly By Cassie Barton
When social factors come into play: the paranoid mess at twenty and still be shrugging impoverished members of the Glueck study off your problems with ease given a few dec- were 50% more likely to become alcoholics ades to grow up in. than the Harvard graduates. A good education was also an- How much a life of happiness RWKHU RI 9DOOLDQW¶V LPSRUWDQW can be accounted for by a few rules factors, however this was OLNH 9DOOLDQW¶V LV VWLOO XS IRU GHEDWH PXFKKDUGHUIRU*OXHFN¶VVXE MXVW DV LW¶V DOZD\V EHHQ %XW WKH jects to obtain. Forming close study has still proved its worth over relationships, and ideally hav- the years, providing data for re- ing a good marriage, is an- search topics from alcoholism to other factor and is now a ma- relationships to post-traumatic jor focus of the study. stress after combat.
John F Kennedy was a Researchers are now looking in a The final, seventh factor prominent member of the new direction. Participants are under- relates to the way we respond study going genetic tests and neuroimagaing to trouble when it occurs. Val- techniques in order to shed light on how our OLDQW WDONV DERXW WKLV LQ WHUPV RI ³GHIHQFH biology affects our behaviour, something that PHFKDQLVPV´ )LUVW FKDUDFWHUL]HG E\ $QQD was hardly possible back in 1937. Freud, defence mechanisms are a way of look- ing at how the mind defends itself against un- But whether or you think eventual hap- comfortable realities. piness comes from our life choices or our JHQHV 9DOOLDQW¶V VHYHQ 7KHUH¶V D VOLGLQJ factors sound like advice scale of different adapta- ZRUWK IROORZLQJ 'RQ¶W tions, some of which are VPRNH 'RQ¶W EHFRPH DQ u n h e a l t h y : f r o m alcoholic. Exercise, and ³SV\FKRWLF´ PHFKDQLVPV keep a healthy weight. such as paranoia and Get an education (if megalomania to \RX¶UH UHDGLQJ WKLV ³QHXURWLF´ DGDSWDWLRQV \RX¶UH SUREDEO\ DOUHDG\ such as repression on to that one), and a (inability to acknowl- Participants' happiness was studied from their youth good relationship. And edge a conflict). At right up until old age above all, keep your the top of the adap- unconscious defence mechanisms healthy ± WDWLRQVFDOHDUH³PDWXUH´PHFKDQLVPVVXFKDV easy. Just as it did for the Grant and Glueck altruism and humour, which are better for your study members, only time will tell how well all mental health. The good news is that the that works. study found mature defence mechanisms to be much more common in participants as they grew older ± so you could be a repressed,
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Savant Syndrome: The key of the myth to unlocking neural processing? By Alex Knight Those with savant syndrome, formerly 7KH WHUP ³LGLRW VDYDQW´ ZDV SKDVHG RXW idiot or autistic savants, are a group of rare as it held the misconception that those with individuals who possess incredible aptitude in savant syndrome were considered severely extremely specific abilities. Recently these indi- mentally retarded. Although some cases sup- viduals have received widespread media atten- ported this (IQs of below 25), nearly all re- WLRQ SUREDEO\ DV D UHVXOW RI WKH PHGLD¶V SRU ported individuals have an IQ over 40 and trayal of these individuals, for example Ray- there are large deviations (Treffert, 2009). mond Babbit, played by Dustin Hoffman in the ³$XWLVWLFVDYDQW´VRRQUHSODFHGLWEXWWKLVZDV cult classic, Rain Man. However, it would ap- also at fault. Firstly, the generally accepted pear the occurrence of these indi- number of children with both savant viduals has a long-standing but per- syndrome and autism is around haps disregarded place in both his- 10%; established based on findings tory and science. from Rimland (1978) who investi- gated savant abilities in 5400 chil- The first reported case of an dren with autism (identifying 531 individual who possessed savant savant children). This research re- abilities was Jedediah Buxton who buffed the common myth that all ZDV UHIHUUHG WR DV D ³OLJKWQLQJ FDO children with autism possess savant culator with an extraordinary mem- abilities. On the other side of the RU\´ 0RUWL] 2QH ODWHU UH coin, however, research has also ported case was of Thomas Fuller shown not all individuals with sa- ZKR ZDV DVNHG RQFH ³+RZ PDQ\ vant syndrome have autism. It is seconds a man had lived when he Rain Man brought estimated around 50% of those with savant syndrome to savant abilities have autism, the was 70 years, 17 days and 12 hours the attention of a ROG"´)XOOHUZDVDEOHWRJLYHWKHFRU wider audience other 50% have mental retardation rect answer of 2,210,500,800, even (Saloviita, Ruusila and Ruusila, correcting for the 17 leap years experienced, 2000), or have suffered serious brain injury. in simply 90 seconds (Scripture, 1891). Psychologists have inferred that a signifi- As more people with savant syndrome cant majority of savant abilities fall in to four are discovered (often during childhood), those common categories, and possibly two further studying the phenomenon are beginning to common categories are being identified. The notice common trends. One of the most impor- most common savant ability (Rimland, 1978) is tant breakthroughs was being able to classify music, expressed through composing and per- three levels of savant skill. The lowest level of forming. The most publicised case of a musical VNLOOLVVDLGWREHLQGLYLGXDOVZKRKDYH³VSOLQWHU savant is that of Raghav Sachar who can play VNLOOV´ ZKLFK DUH REVHVVLRQV RIWHQ LQWHQVH twenty-two varying instruments, and began memory) for subjects such as music, maps and learning the harmonica aged 4. The second WULYLD7KHVHDUHWKHQVXSHUFHGHGE\³WDOHQWHG most common artistic skills remain most VDYDQWV´ DQG ³SURGLJLRXV VDYDQWV´ RI ZKLFK prevalent, with drawing and sculpting abilities there are only reported to be 50 in the world often manifested as an ability to draw from (Treffert, 2009). memory.
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One example is artist Stephen Wiltshire, Although both the fictional case of Dr who after one hour panoramic Reid, and the true-life case of helicopter rides across cities, can Stephen Wiltshire rely on eidetic memory to form savant skills, then draw accurately from mem- research has suggested not all ory (often taking a number of savants have eidetic memory. days) what he viewed. One current theory, leans away Other notable skills held by from cognition and looks at the those with savant syndrome are 6WHYHQ:LOWVKLUH¶VDELOLWLHV role of neurophysiology in savant calendrical calculation (exceptional have been featured in a Channel 4 documentary syndrome. There is, at this time, mathematical ability surrounding a strong basis of evidence sug- dates), lightning calculation (ability to rapidly gesting savant skills may be a result of over- complete complex mathematical problems) compensation in the right hemisphere of the brain. DeLong (1999), for instance, found de- and poly-glot (the ability to speak fluently creased 5-HT synthesis in the left hemisphere many languages, learnt in a short space of of autistic patients compared to the right time). Less common abilities, such as super- (possibly accounting for increased right hemi- sensitive senses and exceptional estimation sphere brain activity). Despite this, some sa- abilities (for both time and space) have been vant skills, notably music-related, rely on the reported. left hemisphere (Rimland and Fein, 1988).
Despite the emergence of a number of Snyder and Mitchell (1999), however, theories attempting to explain savant syn- have formed a theory which can perhaps ex- drome, none fully account for the plain both aspects of savant syn- drome. Their research, focusing phenomenon. Most centre on ab- on increasing abilities of those normally good memory, with par- FRQVLGHUHG WR KDYH ³VSOLQWHU ticular theories emphasising impor- VNLOOV´IRXQGXVHRIU706WRWHP tance of eidetic memory, commonly porarily halt left hemisphere referred to as photographic mem- functioning led to significant in- ory. One fictional, but popular case Although Reid is consid- creases in skill level. Therefore, eidetic memory may be accessi- of a savant individual with an eidetic ered a genius, a high IQ is not synonymous with ble, but individuals with normal memory is Dr. Spencer Reid in the savants brain functioning may not be &%6 GUDPD ³&ULPLQDO 0LQGV´ 5HLG able to access it due to process- diagnosed as an autistic, claims to be able to ing demands of the left hemisphere (which read 20,000 words per minute, contributing to take cognitive priority). his status as a genius with an IQ of 187. This form of memory often leads him to be able to Despite all the research in to this fasci- decipher codes and recall important details to nating phenomenon, even specialists in the capture serial killers. Mishkin, Malamut and area do not believe a successful theory Bachevalier (1984) believe eidetic memory (explaining the prevalence of all of those with PD\ EH ³XQFRQVFLRXV´ RU ³DXWRPDWLF´ EXW savant syndrome) will be formulated any time those with savant syndrome have been able to soon, although all agree that recent advances consciously retrieve information from this in neuro-imaging techniques will assist in an- store. swering important questions. 7
The Sense of Music By Hannah Belcher
By the age of two a child will have heard template a world without it. But how exactly over a thousand hours of music, which did the early Homo Sapiens start to create HTXDWHVWRDURXQGDWKLUGRIWKHFKLOG¶VZDN music, and more importantly for what reason? ing life in the presence of some Like pretty much all the great kind of music (Winston, 2005). It is everywhere, on the televi- mysteries of human behaviour, sion, in shops, in waiting psychologists have no definitive rooms; in fact it would be hard answer, just a whole load of con- to find a place where music tradicting theories! All that is was completely absent. But our known is that music played a sig- ability to perceive music starts nificant role in our prehistoric an- long before we are even born; FHVWRU¶VOLYHVDVFDQEHVHHQE\ whilst still in the womb the un- born foetus can recognise mu- the Palaeolithic cave paintings sic from the external world. illustrating dancing and music and flutes made of bone. It is In tests conducted after thought that these were the very birth, newborns responded Ready to Rock? Young beginnings of the Homo Sapiens males show a preference more positively to music they creation of music, occurring at had heard repeatedly whilst in for louder, rockier music around 50,000BP and known now WKHZRPEDQGWRµZRPEPXVLF¶ itself. Although still too young to fully compre- DVµSULPLWLYHPXVLF¶ 6WRUU hend a piece or to form a preference for Brit- Many have compared this primitive mu- ney Spears over Lady Gaga, the foetus is bet- ter at picking up catchy songs such as televi- sic to that of bird song, used to advertise ter- sion theme tunes. From an early ritory, warn others of danger and as age children begin to show pref- a sexual invitation. Darwin firmly erences, when tested at the age believed that our use of music is of one the majority of boys pre- routed in evolution, and that it pre- ferred loud rock whilst girls pre- ceded speech as an early mating ferred softer music. Although at first this appears to be the begin- call. Humans more then likely sang nings of a classic gender stereo- before they spoke, and possibly type, these differences are even danced before they walked thought to be due the female (Blacking, 1976). EDE\¶VPRUHDFXWHVHQVHRIKHDU ing and ability to hear quieter sounds. ³7KLVPXVLFUHDOO\GRHVQRWKLQJ It is believed that both IRUPH´ speech and music descended Music has become so in- from a common origin, a primi- grained in our everyday existence from such tive need to communicate emotional needs. an early age it is almost impossible to con-
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As Homo sapiens advanced this merged culty dealing with sensory input from the ex- into two separate acts; speaking and language ternal world, and thus need to create order in for rational thought, and song and music for some other way. In terms of music being a metaphorical thought. µVXEOLPDWLRQ RI DQ XQVDWLVILHG OLELGR¶ KH FRP pared music to an orgasm; intense emotional Since the Darwin era many evolutionary arousal, followed by a desire for physical psychologists have looked in par- movement, followed by feelings of ticular at how monkeys create and peace, then finally complete relaxa- respond to music, for example in tion. Other more mundane theories Gelad Monkeys music is the lan- on the significance of music are guage of emotional and physio- that it unites us with a shared ex- logical arousal, much like humans. perience, hence the popularity of An equally convincing theory of live gigs and music festivals, and the origins of human music be- that humans use music as a means haviour comes from developmen- to create order out of chaos. tal psychologists, who believe that babies develop their musical be- Never one to miss out on the Physiologically music is haviour from their babbles, used fun, for Freud music is an more like a drug, and it is possi- escape mechanism as a means of communication be- ble we are simply addicted to its tween infant and mother. Psy- mood enhancing effects. In An- chologist Howard Gardner noted how babies often react to music in the womb and how in- WKRQ\6WRUU¶VERRNµ0XVLFDQGWKH0LQG´ fants do not respond to words but instead to he describes how there is a closer relation be- the rhythm, pitch, intensity and timbre of the tween hearing and emotional arousal then PRWKHU¶VYRLFH seeing, and also how beneficial this arousal can be to someone suffering from depression. Whatever its true origins it is clear that Research in the last few decades has tried to music has a profound effect on us. But if we pin down the precise effects, and for some created music as a means to communicate be- fore we developed speech, then why do we time now specific music has been used to pur- still find it to be such a significant aspect of posefully alter our moods. For instance re- our lives? Freud, keen never to let us down, search found that when supermarkets played has provided us with yet another spectacular slow music customers walked around more theory. He believed that all forms of art and slowly (Milliman, 1982), and literature were used as a means that when played classical music to escape from reality, or if you customers were more inclined speak Freudian, a sublimation of an unsatisfied libido. This theory to buy expensive wine (Areni supports the view that music and Kim, 1993). develops from babies babble, and says that music is therefore The list of such studies is a form of regression. Freud endless but the message is al- found music to be more impor- Music is used in a consumer envi- ways the same, music has a tant to his neurotic patients who ronment to influence shoppers profound effect on us and he also described as being more without it our lives would be ³FUHDWLYH´W\SHV incredibly dull.
He believed that such people have diffi-
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Ever Thought Of Working With Children? Try A.T.E! By Angela Kirby
Active Training and Education (ATE) is a backgrounds, with no preconceptions. non profit organisation that runs activity holi- days for groups of children. It was set up by There are many beneficial aspects of Su- Chris Green 50 years ago, and since then has perweeks that might not be realised by the evolved from Colony Holidays to Sing For children. Regular, home-cooked meals are Pleasure DQG VLQFH $7( µ6XSHUZHHNV¶ something that they might not receive at are typically based in boarding schools sur- home, alongside the confidence, communica- rounded by miles of tion skills and consideration brought by living beautiful country- with other children. Children also get support side. The centres of- from adults who are neither family nor teach- fer home-cooked ers, and a chance for increased physical activ- food, group dormito- ity. It is very common that children will return ries, access to fields, \HDU DIWHU \HDU DQG PDQ\ PRQLWRUV DUH µH[- streams and wildlife, FKLOGUHQ¶ZKRGLGQ¶WZDQWWRJLYHXS$7( ornate buildings and ³6XSHUZHHNV´DUHRIWHQ often swimming As a monitor who trained over Easter and based out in the country- pools. has since completed an 8-day Superweek and side a 10-day Performing Arts Superweek, I have %\QDWXUHRIEHLQJYROXQWHHUVµ0RQLWRUV¶- found both experi- often students, previously trained for 8 days - ences overwhelm- really care about the scheme. With one for ingly rewarding. I each group of children, monitors offer limitless experienced morn- enthusiasm, ideas and encouragement to chil- LQJV RI µGRUPLWRU\ GUHQ µ7UDYHO GD\V¶ PHDQ WKDW SDUHQWV GRQ¶W LQVSHFWLRQ VRQJV¶ have to worry about transport: monitors make QLJKWV RI ³3OHDVH trips to various cities to gather children and UHDG WR XV DJDLQ´ escort them to the centres. Frequent whole- and some amazing Students working with group activities, such as swimming, chal- fancy-dress and act- children during ³6XSHUZHHNV´LQ lenges, singing and firelight stories, allow chil- ing on the parts of dren to make friends with many others outside both children and their groups. VWDII,IHOWOLWWOHJLUOV¶LPPHQVHSULGHZKHQD combined effort of toilet-roll mummies, gar- Time is filled with songs, games, puzzles, gling music, tower-building and blindfolded dressing up, day trips, handicrafts and any- sandwich-making led to a brilliant score in one thing else that can be conjured up. Mobile QLJKW¶VJDPH,W¶VQRWUHDOO\SRVVLEOHWRH[SODLQ phones are collected in, which, over many WKH PDJLF RI $7( EXW ,¶P WU\LQJ EHFDXVH years, has shown to encourage socialising and things like this need advertising. UHGXFH KRPHVLFNQHVV ,W¶V D PDVVLYH ERRVW RI independence for many, as they spend a week OLYLQJDZD\IURPKRPH,W¶VDOVRDEUHDNIURP Visit www.ate.org.uk for more information, everyday life- allowing children to try many and to find out how you can get involved with new things, and meet people from different ATE.
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Unlucky For Some By Grace Rice
In popular culture, 72% of people be- more superstitious may miss. To test this the- lieve in some form of good luck, whether it be ory Wiseman devised a clever experiment, in lucky charms or specific rituals performed be- which participants were asked to count the fore important events. Walking under ladders, number of adverts within a broadsheet news- letting black cats cross your path and the number thir- SDSHU6LPSOH$OWKRXJKZKDW:LVHPDQGLGQ¶W teen are also just some of tell his participants was that there were two the widely believed unlucky whole page adverts that would have been of superstitions. great interest to participants, the first was ³:,1 %<7(//,1*7+((;3(5,0(17(5 Psychologists have in- <28+$9(6((17+,6´DQGWKHVHFRQGZDV The lucky number 13 vestigated these super- ³6723&2817,1*7+(5($5($'9(576 originated from 13 stitions and the results people being around +(5(´$QGKHUH¶VWKHLQWHUHVWLQJELWWKRVH the table at Christ's are probably not that Last Supper surprising, below is a people who previously classi- summary of just some of ILHGWKHPVHOYHVDVµOXFN\¶ZHUH the research; which encompass black cats, the PRUHOLNHO\WKDQWKHµXQOXFN\¶ lottery and whether counting adverts is af- people to spot these adverts! fected by your own good luck. Perhaps the luckiest event Levin conducted a simple experiment in the world is winning the Na- where a black (or white) cat crossed partici- tional Lottery. Smith and col- pants paths, their luck was assessed before leagues examined self pro- and after the crossing using a coin tossing ex- ercise. The results indicated that neither the claimed lucky and unlucky par- black or white cat had an effect on participants ticipants lottery numbers and luck. Similarly Peckham and colleagues tested Being lucky is found that certain numbers about as helpful whether living at Number 13 affected peoples as Derren Brown were preferred by lucky peo- JRRG IRUWXQH 'ZHOOHUV IURP 1XPEHU ¶V DOO when it comes to ple (1, 7, 17, 29, 37 and 44). over the country were asked to rate whether the lottery So armed with these suppos- their luck had been affected by moving into the supposedly unlucky houses; results indi- HGO\µOXFN\QXPEHUV¶6PLWKVKRXOGKDYHEHHQ cated that only one in ten agreed that their able to win a life changing amount of money OXFNKDGDOWHUHGDQGZKDW¶VPRUHLQDIROORZ right? Well not really, when they ran these up Peckham found that house prices on Num- numbers against that weeks draw, none of the ber 13 houses were lower as a result of the numbers matched up. So in short being lucky common superstition, as 40% of people were doesn't help you to win the lottery± sorry! resistant to buying them. So in the end, being lucky doesn't really help an awful lot, whereas maybe being a little Professor Richard Wiseman specialises in more open minded may help as you are more studying the Psychology Of Luck; he believes likely to spot opportunities!! that Luck is no more than being able to spot hidden opportunities which people who are 11
Welcome to our Classical Psychology section; in this section early theorists and practices within Psychology will be discussed because we don't want to forget were it all began!! On Pigeons, Missiles and Utopia By Ivan Alvarez
Burrhus Frederic ronment, any behaviour could be obtained. Skinner (1904 ± Skinner and his colleagues often worked with 1990) is considered animal resulting in great success; teaching pi- one of the most influ- geons varied patterns of conduct like playing ential figures in psy- bowling and ping-pong (B.F. Skinner Founda- chology as we know tion, 2009). The potential of this procedure it today. And yet little was even picked up by the USA army. Named we know about the µ3URMHFW 3LJHRQ¶ DQG IXQGHG E\ WKH 1DWLRQDO ventures of this curi- Defense Research Committee, Skinner and a ous man from Penn- group of students trained pigeons to direct sylvania who gave us PLVVLOHV DV D SODXVLEOH PHFKDQLVP IRU µVPDUW¶ radical behaviorism, Walden II and a half a warfare un the century of controversy for the behavioral sci- late days of ences. World War II (Scrupski, Skinner, originally set out to become a 1999). Pigeons writer of fiction in his early years, quickly gave would peck at a up his literary intentions to pursue a psychol- radar display ogy degree at Harvard where he turned to correcting the academia (Boeree, 2006). Known to most by direction of the virtue of his eponymous box, Skinner worked projectile after The powers of operant extensively on operant conditioning coining being reinforced to conditioning, extend to training a pigeon to play terms such as schedule of reinforcement, rate do so by operant ping pong! of response and shaping. This later one will be conditioning proce- the most influential both in theory and in its dures. As far-fetched as it may sound, the pro- practical implications. The idea behind shaping ject was relatively successful before it was dis- is that an existing behaviour can be changed continued in October 1944 and it illustrates the to a desired one by means of reinforcement potential of operant conditioning in virtually and punishment (Reynolds, 1975). This was an DQ\DUHDRIEHKDYLRXU6XFKZDV6NLQQHU¶VEH already existing idea but the revolutionary lief on the potential of shaping that he ex- thought was that, given the appropriate envi- tended his findings to human behaviour.
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By analogy with the pigeons, any behav- dom and Dignity. The reply is a logical argu- iour elicited by humans is the result of their ment for the incongruence of personal auton- environment and the continuous learning proc- omy and a successful, harmonious society. ess we are exposed to; and so any behaviour can be trained. While freedom and dignity brought posi- tive consequences in human history in the fu- Operant conditioning was even used on ture world of cultural engineering they will be- his second child, Deborah Skinner. The most come an obstacle and as such they must be infamous instance of this is the invention of left behind (Skinner, 1971). Skinner did not WKH µ$LUFULE¶ DQ LVRODWHG GHYLFH ZLWK WHPSHUD lack critics, but his well structured arguments ture and humidity controls and a self-cleaning accompanied by the hopeful feeling at the mid rolling floor that could sustain of the century of scientific inno- the child in a comfortable envi- vation and vast possibilities ronment (Skinner, 1945). The earned him many followers. child container sparked much FRQWURYHUV\ DERXW 6NLQQHU¶V Skinner was successful in parenting techniques and de- taking the ideal of a manufac- spite his initial attempt at a tured society to the general commercial breakthrough it did public and arduously defended not gain much popularity the idea of societal change. In (Bjork, 1993). fact, he was an ardent activist in education, arguing for a change Skinner greatly extended in the way teaching is carried his ideas about conditioning to out based on his findings in ex- human behaviour, to the point perimental settings of operant of suggesting an alternative conditioning, particularly oppos- social structure based on scien- ing the use of punitive teaching tific premises in his famous when it had been shown that novel, Walden II. The book de- 7KH³$LUFULE´XVHGWRWUDLQ reward is more effective at chang- scribes a modern utopia where Deborah Skinner ing behaviour than punishment the community members live (Boeree, 2006). productive and fulfilling lives by adhering to established plans that rule most aspects of In work spanning experimental and theo- daily life. In principle, Walden II exposes an retical psychology, literature, social reform and idealized society where each member is sub- education, B. F. Skinner established himself ject to complex conditioning to achieve an effi- not only as a reputed academic but also as a cient, self-reliant community (Skinner, 1948). controversial public figure. Radical behaviour- At its time the book was controversial and ism, largely abandoned today, imprinted an highly criticized due themes like atheism, so- influential drive on experimental psychology cialist economy and lack of opportunity for self and the contributions and inventions of Skin- -expression (Time, 1971). The underlying ner are commonplace in behavioural research. theme of a high order of planners dictating Despite much criticism, sweeping claims and rules and deciding what is best for the com- downright ludicrous applications, B. F. Skin- munity was seen as threatening against the ners ideas have found a comfortable place ideals of western society, specifically the loss among the founding blocks of modern psychol- of personal freedom and dignity. In response ogy. to these accusations, Skinner issues not an apology but a detailed retort in Beyond Free-
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Pop Psychology refers to the culturally relevant aspects of psychology which serve to pro- mote a healthier lifestyle and give people scientific insight into aspects of their everyday life. The Psychological Cinema By Robert Stuart
The movie mania; the type of obsessive love seen in industry is forever stalkers. Glenn Close in her Oscar nominated looking for a fresh portrayal displays the behaviours of impulsiv- psychological disor- ity, emotional liability, fear of abandonment, der to plumb and idealization/devaluation and self-mutilation in some cases this consistent with the diagnosis of BPD. This film can be seen as ex- is a good example of an accurate depiction of ploitative; however a psychological illness and did manage to coin LQWKLVDUWLFOH,¶OOEH DQHZWHUPµ%XQQ\%RLOHU¶KRZHYHULQGHKX detailing the more PDQL]LQJ*OHQQ&ORVH¶VFKDUDFWHUWRPRYLHVWDU important, accurate villain it certainly cheapens the message of the psychological films. film that this woman, with so little control over Of course cost vs. her mind, receives a benefit means that rather horrific treat- no film is going to be at DSM-IV level accuracy ment for her condition DV WKDW ZRXOGQ¶W EH YHU\ HQWHUWDLQLQJ WKXV - getting shot! documentaries on certain mental illnesses have been excluded). Therefore this series of In real life psy- articles will attempt to cover some of the best chotherapy and Cogni- examples of psychological realism in strong, tive Behavioural Ther- critically respected movies. apy are the main treat- ments...but that would make this a wholly dif- Fatal Attraction (1987) - Borderline ferent film! A tense, Personality Disorder (BPD) enjoyable film, thrill- ingly acted by Glenn Glenn Close consulted three psychiatrists Close makes this a must see, but, though ac- before making this film to get a fuller under- FXUDWH GRQ¶W H[SHFW WR REWDLQ PXFK HPSDWK\ standing of BPD. The character also shows the for a person with BPD! psychological profiling of someone with eroto- 14
Memento (2000) - Amnesia everything from Polaroid's, notes, even tattoos on himself to try and make sense of his world. Or to be more accurate ± An- Told with both colour and black terograde Amnesia, the inability to and white scenes (the latter being form new memories after the am- a side story that is not played in nesia occurs, in this case through reverse) this is certainly a tough severe head trauma. Memento is ILOP WR IROORZ KRZHYHU LW¶V DOVR simply one of the greatest films richly rewarding with a very ever made. This thriller/murder strong performance from the bril- mystery places you right in the liant Guy Pearce. This is a must frustrating and confusing mind of a see film for everyone (not just person suffering from anterograde psychologists) and acts as an en- amnesia. Each scene lasts only 5 tertaining companion piece to the minutes and the story is told in re- many documentaries on people verse, so the first 5 minutes is ac- with anterograde amnesia such tually the final scene in the film. as the cases of H.M and K.C. The film really gets across the sense of des- peration that occurs with the inability to re- member anything as the lead character uses Scents And Sensibility By Robert Stuart
Despite Cher trying to convince us other- So, why is an opposite immune system a wise, new research in the field of relationship SRVLWLYH",W¶VGXHWRWKH0DMRU+LVWRFRPSDWLELO formation and satisfaction is proving that if ity Complex (MHC) which is a large genome you really want to know if he loves region that plays an impor- \RX VR LW¶V QRW LQ KLV NLVV EXW tant role in the immune sys- rather, his whiff! tem by detecting which cells DUH µVHOI¶ FHOOV DQG QRW WR EH This research states that peo- attacked, and which cells are ple tend to be attracted to others IRUHLJQ µDQWLJHQV¶ WKDW QHHG whose immune systems are differ- to be rejected from the body. ent from ours. As our odours are (YHU\RQH¶V 0+& LV GLIIHUHQW intrinsically linked to our immune and thus for one person the systems, if we experience our part- µ 15 This therefore brings us to the crux of tionship and are not sure whether to take it the argument; Odour that denotes differential further you could test whether your immune immune systems indicates that a couple will systems are opposing either in a lab or infor- have offspring likely to survive to reproductive mally by using unscented soap and deodorant age as the child will be more immune to more IRUDPRQWKDQGWHVWLQJHDFKRWKHU¶VVFHQWLI viruses. Now counter arguments for this may you like what you smell, perhaps you should include that not all couples what to have chil- take the next step. However, if a couple was dren and thus in those cases to do this, the woman would does odour even matter? have to stop taking birth con- However, a recent study dis- trol pills as these can effect covered that opposite MHC your natural scent. partners, with different im- mune systems, engage in Now of course odour will more sex and are significantly not have a stronger effect on less likely to cheat in long relationship formation than term relationships. See, sci- attractiveness, SES or even ence can be sexy! Moreover it When they say opposites at- has been found that couples tract, they mean it in every humour and of course if you with immune system similari- sense of the word! found out that the person you ties are more likely to suffer love has got a similar immune miscarriages and have difficulty conceiving, system you probably would argue that hu- that alongside a lack of sexual responsiveness mans can rise above our biology and stay to- and an increase in cheating on the partner gether despite a lack of immunocompatibility, does not bode well for the relationships of and as a final point little research has been those with similar immune systems. done on whether scents play a role in the for- So what to do with this information? mation or maintenance of homosexual rela- Well, for those looking to settle down, yet tionships where reproductive success is not KDYHQ¶W IRXQG 0U RU 0UV 5LJKW \HW WKH\ FDQ an issue. However, as a tool in the mainte- join up to dating sites that use scent to match nance of long term relationships, scientists partners based on this research on MHC op- are discovering just how vital scent can be. SRVLWLRQ VXFK DV µ%DVLVQRWH¶ DQG µ6FLHQWLILF 0DWFK¶2USHUKDSVLI\RX¶UHDOUHDG\LQDUHOD Why So Serious? By Hannah Belcher Q. How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb? A. Just one, but the light bulb has to WANT to change Q. How many psychoanalysts does it take to change a light bulb? $³+RZPDQ\GR\RX7+,1.LWWDNHV"´ Neurotics build castles in the sky. Psychotics live in them. Psychiatrists collect the rent. 16 RING. . . CLICK Welcome to the Psychiatric Hotline. If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press 1 repeatedly. If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2. If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5, and 6. If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who are and what you want. Just stay on the line so we can trace the call. If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press. If you are delusional and occasionally hallucinate, please be aware that the thing you are holding on the side of your head is alive and about to bite off your ear. "I see you were last employed by a psychiatrist," said the employer to the applicant. Why did you leave?" "Well," she replied, "I just couldn't win. If I was late to work, I was hostile. If I was early, I had an anxiety complex. If I was on time, I was compulsive." A very shy guy goes into a bar and sees a beautiful woman sitting at the bar. After an hour of gathering up his courage, he finally goes over to her and asks, tentatively, "Um, would you mind if I chatted with you for a while?" She responds by yelling, at the top of her lungs, "NO! I won't sleep with you tonight!" Everyone in the bar is now staring at them. Naturally, the guy is hopelessly and com- pletely embarrassed and he slinks back to his table. After a few minutes, the woman walks over to him and apologizes. She smiles at him and says, "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. You see, I'm a graduate student in psychology, and I'm studying how people respond to embarrassing situations." To which he responds, at the top of his lungs, "What do you mean $200?!" 7KH:RUOGV³)XQQLHVW´-RNH :LVHPDQ Two Hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the HPHUJHQF\VHUYLFHV+HJDVSVµ0\IULHQGLVGHDG:KDWFDQ,GR"¶7KHRSHUDWRUVD\V µFDOPGRZQ,FDQKHOS)LUVWOHWVPDNHVXUHWKDWKH¶VGHDG¶WKHUHLVDVLOHQFHWKHQD VKRWLVKHDUG%DFNRQWKHSKRQHWKHJX\VD\Vµ2.QRZZKDW"¶ 17 Welcome to the Psych Soc section, here you will find everything that is going on within the best society at York! From academic talks to the latest in a long line of nights out!! New Year, new Psych Soc! Introducing the (maybe not so) brand new Psych Soc committee members; who shall be organis- ing all your social and academic activities in 2009-2010! If you have any suggestions or anything in particular you would like to do then send us an email at [email protected] (and don't forget to join our Facebook page for the latest news)! Chair: Treasurer: Secretary: Grace Rice Tom Wright Michelle Yates Welfare Officers: Sarah Tillotson and Flick Saunders Social Secs: Elliot Smith and Cindy Prescott Academic Officer: Marion Heng Press and Publicity: Ordinary Member: Sally Ngo Robert Stuart 18 PsychOut would like to welcome all FRESHERS! By Adele Goman Here is your essential guide to getting the most from your first year as a Psychology Un- dergraduate straight from the people who have been there and got the t-shirt! 1. Join PsychSoc! PsychSoc arranges various academic events, in the past these have included tours of YNiC, external speakers and debates with departmental staff and of course the infamous socials, Pub Golf and Cavemen are two of the favourites! For just £4 membership fee for the entire academic year, it is a great chance to get to know fellow psychology students. 2. Become a part of PsychOut! :H¶GORYHWRKHDUIURP\RX:KHWKHU\RXDUHSDVVLRQDWHDERXWDVSHFLILFDUHDRISV\FKR ogy or have a general interest, PsychOut offers YOU the chance to write about anything psychology related. Look out for the sign up sheets on the first year notice board for the chance to be involved! 3. Buy your course books from students! A great chance to pick up a bargain! 2nd and 3rd years will be selling their used course books at this terms BOOK FAIR. Details of the book fair will be available soon so check your inboxes! Advice from current students: ³,I\RX¶UHSODQQLQJRQJRLQJLQWRDSV\FKRORJ\UHODWHGSURIHVVLRQVWDUWJHWWLQJVRPHZRUNH[ SHULHQFHDVVRRQDV\RXFDQDVWKHUHDUHORWVRISHRSOHORRNLQJIRUWKHVDPHWKLQJ´- 3rd year ³0DNHWKHPRVWRIWKHILUVWWHUP´± 2nd year ³'RQ¶WOHDYHDOO\RXUZRUNXQWLOWKHODVWPLQXWH´± 2nd year ³*HWLQYROYHGLQVRFLHWLHVDQGFOXEV± \RXPHHWORDGVRIJUHDWSHRSOH´± 3rd year ³+DYHIXQ´± 3rd year PsychSoc Social Duchess: Friday Week 3 Meet at the Courtyard at 8pm 'RQ¶W)RUJHW 19 Welcome to the new Staff Section where members of the Psychology Department are able to write about their previous, current and upcoming research projects within the department The Centre for Reading and Language Research Group By Maggie Snowling Maggie Snowling and lutions for educational problems. In addition Charles Hulme direct the to pursuing basic research and intervention research group called studies, CRL runs a research clinic for the as- µ&HQWUH IRU 5HDGLQJ DQG sessment of children with specific learning dif- /DQJXDJH¶ &5/ :H KDYH ficulties; the Centre has strong links with the worked for several years, City of York Educational Services and Schools, both together and sepa- North Yorks County Council, British Dyslexia rately, on aspects of chil- Association and Dyslexia Action. GUHQ¶V FRJQLWLYH GHYHORS ment, particularly reading, There is not space here to discuss all of DQG RQ FKLOGUHQ¶V OHDUQLQJ our current research projects so we will focus disorders. We firmly believe that in order to on three; the Wellcome Language and Reading understand disorders of development it is im- Project, the ESRC READing for Meaning Project portant first to work from a sound theory of and The York Assessment of Reading for Com- typical development. Within this framework, prehension (YARC). For others, please visit we aim to develop causal theories of the rela- our website www.york.ac.uk/res/crl. tionships between cognitive processes and to use these theories to guide educational prac- Wellcome Language and Reading Project WLFH2XUUHFHQWERRNµDevelopmental Disor- Is managed by Hannah Nash. This study is GHUVRI/DQJXDJH/HDUQLQJDQG&RJQLWLRQ¶ ex- folowing the development of three groups of emplifies this approach. children from when they are 3 years old to 7 years old: The main aim of CRL is to conduct high 1. Children from a family where there is a his- quality research into the nature and causes of tory of dyslexia reading and language difficulties. It also aims 2. Children who have pre-school speech and / to translate research findings into practical so- or language difficulties 20 3. Children who are developing typically programme brings great benefits to such chil- dren. At 6 years of age, 60 children from high risk groups who are showing reading delay one The York Assessment of Reading for year after beginning school will be selected to Comprehension (YARC) receive a specially designed intervention to Is managed by Sue Stothard. This is an ap- promote language and literacy skills. plied research project which involves develop- ing a new suite of reading assessments for ESRC READing for MEaning Project children aged 4-16 years. The primary assess- Is managed by Paula Clarke. This is a large ments which were published in 2009 include a scale intervention project (using the methodol- Passage Reading test that provides measures ogy of randomized controlled trials) designed of decoding skill, reading fluency and reading to improve reading comprehension skills in comprehension. The comprehension questions children with specific reading comprehension assess literal and inferential comprehension difficulties. The project is shortly to finish. We skills. The assessments also include a down- have shown that it is possible to improve chil- ward extension to assess phoneme awareness GUHQ¶VUHDGLQJFRPSUHKHQVLRQVNLOOVDQGRQHRI skills, letter sound knowledge and early word the most effective ways of doing so is by train- reading skills for children at the beginning ing their vocabulary. Indeed an oral language stages of reading. We are currently standard- izing a secondary version of the test. My PhD and Me By Scott Franklin Most of my time as a research student is just carry on behaving and reacting like they taken up with, well, research. Hourly I pull on VKRXOG 7KDW¶V ZKDW ,¶P LQWHUHVWHG LQ LQ KRZ my white lab coat, don my blue gloves and their behaviour changes purely because of the pull a face mask over my head, training I give them - I can before walking down the corri- JXDUDQWHHWKHUH¶UHQRGHPDQG dor to relieve my subjects from characteristics with these their experiment. When I get guys! to my room I open the doors of the experimental chambers, As I start the computer reach in and lift my subjects running to control my eight RXW 21 DQG \RX¶YH OLYHG ZLWK WKHP WKH\ EHFRPH LW¶VP\VXSHUYLVRU¶VPRQH\WKDW,¶OOEHVSHQGLQJ rather second nature.by the end of school so I have to get the nod before moving on. He \RX¶YH XVHG LW HYHU\GD\ DQG \RX GRQ¶W HYHQ agreed. Over the following six weeks I ran two UHDOLVHWKDW\RX¶UHGRLQJLWVHHPFRPSOH[DQG experiments to directly see whether I was mysterious, churning out numbers seemingly ULJKW,WHOO\RXQRZZKHQLW¶V\RXUWKHRU\EH at random, but once The same happens in the ing tested, you love getting to the end of the 3K' IRU VWDWLVWLFV ZKHQ \RX¶UH WDXJKW DV DQ day, grabbing the data from the computer and undergraduate they squeezing as much information as you can out RILW,QWKHHQGLWZDVQ¶WWREH,IDLOHGWRILQG But the biggest difference when analys- WKHGHVLUHGHIIHFWEXWLWGLGQ¶WPDWWHU,WZDVD ing data for my PhD is that this is my data. My good idea and worth a shot ± LW¶VEDFNWRWKH supervisor and I came up with the idea for this GUDZLQJERDUGDQGLW¶VEDFNWRWKHERRNVWRWU\ H[SHULPHQWZHHNVDJRDQGZH¶UHQRZILQDOO\DW again. the point when the results matter. Each day of experimenting gives me a better view of the ,¶YHUHDGQHDUO\HYHU\LPSRUWDQWSDSHURQ outcome of the experiment. Was my theory the subject now, and truly am the expert in right? Was it anywhere near good enough? WKH ODE %XW WKHUH¶V DOZD\V PRUH WR UHDG This is when statistics really matters ± when WKHUH¶V DOZD\V UHILQHPHQWV WKDW FDQ EH PDGH WKHJUDSKVXJJHVWV\RX¶UHJRRGEXW\RXQHHG DQG QHZ LGHDV WR WHVW ,¶YH JRW WKUHH VKRUW WRNQRZLILW¶VVLJQLILFDQW± what will SPSS say? \HDUVWRZRUNWKHVHWKLQJVWKURXJKDQGVRLW¶V ,W¶V JUHDW WR EH DEOH WR UXQ \RXU RZQ H[SHUL all hands on deck. PHQWV :H¶YH JRW VRPH UHDOO\ EL]DUUH UHVXOWV DV SDUW RI P\ 3K' ,¶YH HYHQ UHSOLFDWHG On cue my timer rings out. The sessions them!), and have scratched my head long and ILQLVKHGDQGLW¶VWLPHWRSXWWKHQH[WVTXDGLQ hard trying to explain them. so I put down my papers and slowly creak out RI P\ FKDLU , WKLQN ,¶OO SXW WKH NHWWOH RQ LW¶V I remember standing at the blackboard always good to have a cuppa tea when doing pitching one idea to the lab, and declaring science ± I am still a student after all. what the next experiment should be. Of course Calling all postgraduate students! We need your help to show undergraduates what lies beyond their three years at York! If you would be able to write a short article about your postgraduate studies, then please get in contact at: 22 Would you like to know more about our staff in Psychology Department than their e-mail ad- dress and psychology field? If yes, then become a regular reader of our interview section! In each issue, we will interview a guest who will tell us about their attitude towards psychology, current research and provide students with success tips. Dr. Katie Slocombe tells Klaudia Mitura about her career in psychol- ogy, research with wild primates, and dangerous events that took place in the Ugandan rainforest. For me psychology is: The Science of how people behave and why they behave the way they do. Why did you choose psychology as your field of expertise? I found that many different areas of psychology fascinated me and since I tend to do well on the things that interest me, I chose psychology as my degree. The balance between being scientific; using statistics and mathe- matics, and at the same time developing skills from arts such as essay ZULWLQJDOVRDSSHDOHGWRPH,GLGQ¶WVHHVXFKEDODQFHLQRWKHUVXEMHFWV How did you develop your career in psychology? I did my psychology undergraduate degree at the University of Nottingham. Since I got first, Not- tingham offered me a PhD place. At that time I had little information about PhDs and no guidance RQLW LQRWKHUZRUGV,GLGQ¶WHYHQUHDOO\NQRZZKDW3K'ZDV,QLWLDOO\,KDGWKRXJKWDERXWGRLQJ PDVWHUVGHJUHHEXW,FRXOGQ¶WDIIRUGLW$IWHUWKHRIIHURIDIXQGHGSODFHIURP1RWWLQJKDP,UHDO ized that actually a PhD was a great idea. I applied to other Universities, among them was the University of St. Andrews and that was where I did my PhD. I chose St. Andrews because they offered work with chimpanzees which I thought was fantastic. During my PhD time I applied for grants which I got and which paid for my post-doc job. A post-doc job is just research and you GRQ¶WQHHGWRGRDWKHVLVVR\RXFDQFRQFHQWUDWHIXOO\RQ\RXUUHVHDUFK$IWHU\HDUVRISRVW-doc work I came to the University of York to work as lecturer and conduct further research. Tell us about your research area. My main research area is comparative psychology; more specifically looking at natural communi- cation and cognitive skills in primates. 23 What has been your most adventurous piece of research? When working in Uganda with wild chimpanzees you mirror what they do; so if they travel, you travel with them, when they rest, you rest as well. There was one time when a younger chimp bit one of the big males, which went mad. That caused all the males to display their aggression and WKHDOSKDPDOHFDPHFKDUJLQJVWUDLJKWDWPH,ZDVVLWWLQJRQWKHJURXQG,GLGQ¶WKDYHWLPHWR JHWXSDQG,FDQMXVWUHPHPEHUWKLQNLQJ³,DPJRLQJWRGLH´/XFNLO\DERXWPHWHUVLQIURQWRI me he diverted and missed me. It took long time for my heart rate to come down afterwards! Even given such situations; I am planning to do more research with wildlife. The truth is that such adrenaline events are the ones that I remember the most. What are advantages and disadvantages of working with wild animals? The disadvantage of working with wild animals is that I cannot collect any data here at York. That means I have to travel away from home. I hate the time away from my husband and now from my dog, missing my family is very hard for me. Another disadvantage is insects, itching all the time due to so many bites is very unpleasant. When I arrive home, after two days all the bites IDGHDQG,¶PVRKDSS\WRZDNHXSLWFKIUHH The greatest advantage, however, is to have the privilege observing the natural life of endan- gered animals. I feel as though I have a connection with individual animals within a community; I know what status they have, what relations with other members, their specific behavior. It is fas- cinating watching them constantly moving and shifting their relationships and having that hap- pening in front of my eyes. I have seen things so few people ever get to see and this is not only with the chimpanzees but also other wildlife, for example I had the chance to witness a python eating an antelope. How long have you been involved in the University of York community and what do you like best? I have been involved in the University of York community since 2007. The Psychology department is very supportive; everyone seems to be interested in my research and I learn a lot from other UHVHDUFKHUV$OVREHIRUHFRPLQJWR What advice would you give to undergraduate students that are working to reach their goals? My advice is to choose things that interest you so you are going to put the effort into them. If you put lots of effort in, then you should get good grades and impress people and that will be first VWHSWRVXFFHVV,QWHUPVRIWKLQJVWKDW\RXGRQ¶WOLNHDQG\RXKDYHWRGRDFWLYHO\VHDUFKIRUDV SHFWVWKDWLQWHUHVW\RXLQVWHDGRIVD\LQJ³,KDWHLWDQG,DPQRWJRLQJWRGHDOZLWKLW´ZKLFKLVWKH easy thing to do. 24 How to Grow Up Properly, page 4 The Study of Adult Development, retrieved from http://adultdev.bwh.harvard.edu/research- SAD.html Shenk, J. W. (2009) What Makes Us Happy? The Atlantic, June 2009, retrieved from http:// www.theatlantic.com/doc/200906/happiness Savant Syndrome: The key of the myth to unlocking neural processing? Page 6 DeLong, R. (1999). Autism: new data suggests a new hypothesis. Neurology, 52, 911-916. Hou, C., Miller, B.L., Cummings, J. (2000). Artistic savants. Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology and Behavioural Neurology, 13, 29-38. Mishkin, M., Malamut, B., Bachevalier, J. (1984) Memories and habits: two neural systems. In G. Lynch, J. L. MacGaugh, N. M. Weinberger (eds.), Neurobiology of learning and mem- ory (pp. 65±77). New York: Guilford Press. Mortiz, K. P. (1783). Gnothi sauton oder magazin der erfahrungsseelenkunde als ein lesebuch fur gelehrte and ungelehrte. Berlin, Germany: Mylius. Rimland, B. (1978). Savant capabilities of autistic children and their cognitive implications. In G. Serban (ed.), Cognitive defects in the development of mental illness (pp. 43±65). New York: Brunner/Mazel. Rimland, B., Fein, D. A. (1988) Special talents of autistic savants. In L. K. Obler & D. A. Fine (eds.), The exceptional brain: neuropsychology of talent and special abilities (pp. 474± 492). New York: Guilford Press. Saloviita, T., Ruusila, L., Ruusila, U. (2000). Incidence of savant skills in Finland. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 91, 120±122. Scripture, E. W. (1891). Arithmetical prodigies. American Journal of Psychology, 4, 1-59. Snyder, A., Mitchell, D. (1999). Is integer arithmetic fundamental to mental processing? Pro- ceedings of Royal Society of London B, 266, 587-592. Selfe, L. (1978). Nadia: a case of extraordinary drawing ability in an autistic child. New York: Academic Press. Treffert, D. A. (2009). Savant syndrome: An extraordinary condition. A synopsis: past, present and future. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 364, 1351-1357. The Sense of Music, page 8 Areni, C.S., and Kim, D. (1993). The influence of background music on shopping behaviour: Classical versus top-forty music in a wine store. Advances in Consumer Research, 20, 336 -340. Blacking, J. (1976). How Musical is Man? Faber and Faber, London. Freud, S. (2005). The Unconscious. Penguin Classics, London. Gardner, H. (1982). Art, Mind and Brain. Basic Books, New York. Milliman, R.E. (1982). Using Background Music to affect the behaviour of supermarket shop- pers. Journal of Marketing, 46, 86-91. Storr, A. (1992). Music and the Mind. Harper Collins, London. Winston, R. (2005). Child of Our Time. Bantam Press, London. Unlucky for Some, page 11 Epstein, S. (1993) Cognitive experiential self theory: Implications for developmental psychol- ogy, in Gunnar, M & Sroufe, L,A. (eds) Self Processes and Development. Minnesota Symposia on Child Psychology, vol 23, pgs 79-123. Erlbaum: Hillsdale Peckham, S.E & Bhagwat, P.G. (1993). Number 13± Unlucky/ Lucky for Some. Peckwat Publi- cations: New Milton, Hampshire Smith, M.D., Wiseman, R. & Harris, P. (1997) Perceived Luckiness and the UK National Lottery. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Convention of Parapsychological Association. Page 387- 398. Wiseman Experiment cited from: http://psy2.ucsd.edu/~hflowe/ LuckFactorSkepticalInquirerMay2003.pdf On Pigeons, Missiles and Utopia, page 12 B. F. Skinner Foundation. (2009). Pidgeon ping-pong. Video retrieved from http:// www.bfskinner.org/ Bjork, D. W. (1993). B. F. Skinner: A life. Michigan: Basic Books. Boeree, C. G. (2006). B. F. Skinner. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/ skinner.html Reynolds, G. S. (1975). A primer of operant conditioning (2nd ed.). Glenview: Scott Foresman & Co. Scrupski, S. (1999, November 22). Navy declassifies details of pigeon guidance project. Elec- tronic Design. Retrieved from http://electronicdesign.com/Globals/PlanetEE/ Content/4964.html Skinner, B. F. (1945). Baby in a box. Ladies Home Journal, 10, 30-31. Skinner, B. F. (2002, reprint). Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co. Skinner, B. F. (2005). Walden II (2nd ed. reprint). Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co. Time (1971, September 20). Behavior: Skinner's utopia: Panacea, or path to hell?. Time. Re- trieved from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,909994-1,00.html The Psychological Cinema, page 14 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amnesia Scents and Sensibility, page 15 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_histocompatibility_complex http://www.cehs.siu.edu/fix/medmicro/mhc.htm http://genome.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTD020754.html http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/01/30/genes-influence-relationship-satisfaction/584.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_leukocyte_antigen Why So Serious? Page 17 http://www.funnyhumor.com/jokes/996.php http://home.sprynet.com/~owl1/psych.htm http://www.juliantrubin.com/psychologyjokes.html Wiseman, R. (2007) Quirkology: The Curious Science of Everyday Lives, page 217 MacMillian: London Pictures: How to Grow Up Properly, page 4 http://mycypher.com/freshbakedgoodness/JFK.jpg " http://mirror-in-bom1.gallery.hd.org/_exhibits/places-and-sights/_more1999/_more05/US-MA- Cambridge-Harvard-University-red-brick-building-sunshine-grass-lawn-students-1-AJHD.jpg " http://www.tobinrogers.com/images/pics/people/25-strangers_man.jpg "Participants' http://laura-knight-jadczyk.com/images/john_f_kennedy.jpg- Savant Syndrome: The key of the myth to unlocking neural processing? Page 6 Poster: http://www.impawards.com/1988/posters/rain_man.jpg Steven Wiltshire: http://tapedek.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/stephen-wiltshire-3.jpg Steven Reid: http://www.daemonstv.com/wp-content/ uploads/2008/04/96832_d0560b.thumbnail.jpg The Sense of Music, page 8 http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/25/body-and-soul/ magicmonkeymusic.net/services http://fashionablygeek.com Ever Thought of Working with Children? Try ATE! Page 10 Writers own pictures Unlucky for Some, page 11 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/13NumberThirteenInCircle.png http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_02/ LottoTicketDM_228x427.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-475329/ Winning-lottery-ticket-lay-buried-Angela-Kellys-bag- days.html&usg=__CKmutkPTq9MGiBwiYfSICbbeZ6I=&h=427&w=228&sz=47&hl=en&start=7 &um=1&tbnid=IYxylbzuCTjnzM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=67&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlottery% 2Bticket%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1 On Pigeons, Missiles and Utopia, page 12 Aircrib: http://www3.uakron.edu/ahap/apparatus/images/photos/aircrib(skinner).jpg Skinner: http://aupgsa.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/skinner-80s-smiling.jpg Box: http://feww.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/skinner_box_scheme_01.png?w=505&h=509 Psychological cinema, page 14 http://consumat.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/fatal_attraction.jpg http://chasness.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/memento.jpg Scents and sensibility, page 15 http://jennifermorrill.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/sense-and-sensibility.jpg Also another picture that could be used: http://www.americanchateau.com/catalog/CC4ND140.JPG The Centre for Reading and Language Research Group, page 20 http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/psych/www/people/biogs/mjs19.html My PhD And Me, page 21 Writers Own Interview With Katie Slocombe, page 23 Picture was interviewees own