An academic with an interest in any knowledge that contributes towards the discourse regarding best methods of helping individuals towards establishing autonomy and will to do anything they desire. Removal of fear created by social constructions which have been assimilated and taken on as personal beliefs about the self and environment.
The inference contained within this short work is that stigma may be a factor in the onset of str... more The inference contained within this short work is that stigma may be a factor in the onset of stress and stress-related illness within this area of the sex-industry, therefore contributing to increased public healthcare costs. Research and theory from other areas of social psychology such as stereotype threat will be used to support the arguments presented in this paper
This essay discusses the converging evidence within experimental psychopathology that appears to ... more This essay discusses the converging evidence within experimental psychopathology that appears to demonstrate that neuroimaging technology may be used alongside hypnosis to investigate the possibility of generating models of clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders. Schizophrenia, conversion disorders and functional pain disorders such as fibromyalgia are amongst some of the less well understood psychiatric conditions that appears to evade comprehension. These disorders appear as if they should have a neurological explanation, yet lack explanation as to aetiology and effective intervention. The field of experimental psychopathology is an area of the psychological sciences dedicated to creating models of psychological disorders in laboratory conditions(Oakley & Halligan, 2008). This is done through studies with humans or nonhuman animals, with the aim of uncovering the pathology and upkeep of psychopathological processes (Zvolensky, Lejuez, Stuart, & Curtin, 2001). Effectively replicated models can then contribute towards the body of evidence within the psychological sciences that can be used to either inspire further research or used to inform clinical practice for cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners, clinical psychologists and even pharmaceutical development of biological interventions. This essay will briefly outline an explanation of hypnosis as it currently stands. This will be followed by a description of two key technological research methods of neuroimaging used by researchers to explore and map out brain function. A short history of conversion disorder (previously ‘hysteria’) research will be given due to the early association with hypnosis. The role of mental imagery with and without hypnosis as an alternative to using hypnosis will be briefly touch upon due to the limited scope hypnotic findings which may be difficult to generalise to non-hypnotisable and low-hypnotisable individuals which make about 90% of the population (Kihlstrom, 2013). Finally it will be concluded that there is an extent to which hypnotically induced virtual patients have indeed provided convincing evidence to support the notion that hypnosis is fast becoming a useful method that may result in interesting theoretical constructs that can inform clinical practice and motivate further investigation that could be used to inform clinical interventions and improve outcomes for patients with health disorders currently have no known neurological explanations.
The psychological study of language processes allows us to investigate the underlying processes o... more The psychological study of language processes allows us to investigate the underlying processes of one of the main behaviours that distinguish humans as a species. Language is used to inform, help, heal, hurt and communicate abstract messages that are important for communication. It is therefore extremely important for researchers to investigate and attempt to unpick the mechanisms used to comprehend, interpret and produce how language is processed. As with many other areas of psychological interest such as memory and attention, it is important to establish models of language processing that account for the wealth of information that has been gathered through scientific inquiry. Comprehension of how the language processing system works has implications for assisting practitioners in fields of psychiatry, education and even medical rehabilitation of stroke victims. Since the fall of the behaviourism movement in the late 1950’s, researchers in the field of psychology have presented models that suggest how language might be processed, however one of the criteria for any sufficient model of language processing must be able to account for how the language processing system is able to process language that could be interpreted in more than one way (MacDonald, Pearlmutter, & Seidenberg, 1994). Given that ambiguity, in this context, means anywhere that more than one interpretation can be found, ambiguity of varying types can actually be used to further delineate the mechanics of the language processing system. The focus of this essay is to explain how the study of ambiguity has informed our understanding of the language processing system, therefore giving an indication of some of the dimensions of how this system works. To begin with, there will be a brief description of how ambiguity has been used in research of written sentences in order to generate two popular models of written sentence processing collected in over 60 years of research. This is followed by a description of how ambiguity has helped research to comprehend how we process auditory words. The conclusion will demonstrate the wealth of evidence that shows the effects of context on the language processing system when resolving ambiguity.
I am interested in the processes that govern human behaviour which can be understood and interupt... more I am interested in the processes that govern human behaviour which can be understood and interupted. This is a short introduction explaining my area of interest. Any research connected with the areas mentioned will continue to be of interest to me.
Levels of processing theory and the encoding specificity theories are evaluated in terms of each ... more Levels of processing theory and the encoding specificity theories are evaluated in terms of each other. Have a read and see what you think...
This was a study into the interaction between emotional expressions and the rotation of faces aro... more This was a study into the interaction between emotional expressions and the rotation of faces around the y axis. Computer generated model faces were used in a task where 132 students took part in a repeated measures design which used a paired-associated, forced choice paradigm. Statistical tests revealed that there was a significant effect of expression on effectiveness of reaction times, significantly more so with angry faces which resulted in slower reaction times throughout. The more faces were rotated; the less effective reactions were in responding with a choice of same or different. These findings are further explained by neurocognitive ideas around the existence of a specialised threat-related attentional system which decreases attentional control when confronted with threat-related stimuli leading to participants’ attention being held for a longer period of time. Further research is suggested.
Current theory of social facilitation states that being observed by others can affect an individu... more Current theory of social facilitation states that being observed by others can affect an individual’s ability to carry out complex tasks. The following study was carried out in order to demonstrate the principles of this theory. A group of psychology students were given a drawing task in which they were asked to use their non-dominant hand to participate. The findings of this particular study showed no statistically significant results.Studies of this nature have implications that could contribute towards future research in the area of student participation in complex tasks such essay writing in exam conditions. For example, students may perform worse in exam conditions if they feel that they are being observed and/or evaluated by their peers.
This brand analysis is about Adobe Systems, a global leader in digital marketing and digital medi... more This brand analysis is about Adobe Systems, a global leader in digital marketing and digital media solutions (Adobe Systems Software Ireland Ltd., 2015).The Adobe brand is owned by Adobe Systems Incorporated, an American based multinational computer software company founded in 1982. The company has more than 13,000 employees around the world (Adobe Systems Software Ireland Ltd, 2015) and is primarily known for operating within the telecom and IT industries (SyncForce, 2015).
The inference contained within this short work is that stigma may be a factor in the onset of str... more The inference contained within this short work is that stigma may be a factor in the onset of stress and stress-related illness within this area of the sex-industry, therefore contributing to increased public healthcare costs. Research and theory from other areas of social psychology such as stereotype threat will be used to support the arguments presented in this paper
This essay discusses the converging evidence within experimental psychopathology that appears to ... more This essay discusses the converging evidence within experimental psychopathology that appears to demonstrate that neuroimaging technology may be used alongside hypnosis to investigate the possibility of generating models of clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders. Schizophrenia, conversion disorders and functional pain disorders such as fibromyalgia are amongst some of the less well understood psychiatric conditions that appears to evade comprehension. These disorders appear as if they should have a neurological explanation, yet lack explanation as to aetiology and effective intervention. The field of experimental psychopathology is an area of the psychological sciences dedicated to creating models of psychological disorders in laboratory conditions(Oakley & Halligan, 2008). This is done through studies with humans or nonhuman animals, with the aim of uncovering the pathology and upkeep of psychopathological processes (Zvolensky, Lejuez, Stuart, & Curtin, 2001). Effectively replicated models can then contribute towards the body of evidence within the psychological sciences that can be used to either inspire further research or used to inform clinical practice for cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners, clinical psychologists and even pharmaceutical development of biological interventions. This essay will briefly outline an explanation of hypnosis as it currently stands. This will be followed by a description of two key technological research methods of neuroimaging used by researchers to explore and map out brain function. A short history of conversion disorder (previously ‘hysteria’) research will be given due to the early association with hypnosis. The role of mental imagery with and without hypnosis as an alternative to using hypnosis will be briefly touch upon due to the limited scope hypnotic findings which may be difficult to generalise to non-hypnotisable and low-hypnotisable individuals which make about 90% of the population (Kihlstrom, 2013). Finally it will be concluded that there is an extent to which hypnotically induced virtual patients have indeed provided convincing evidence to support the notion that hypnosis is fast becoming a useful method that may result in interesting theoretical constructs that can inform clinical practice and motivate further investigation that could be used to inform clinical interventions and improve outcomes for patients with health disorders currently have no known neurological explanations.
The psychological study of language processes allows us to investigate the underlying processes o... more The psychological study of language processes allows us to investigate the underlying processes of one of the main behaviours that distinguish humans as a species. Language is used to inform, help, heal, hurt and communicate abstract messages that are important for communication. It is therefore extremely important for researchers to investigate and attempt to unpick the mechanisms used to comprehend, interpret and produce how language is processed. As with many other areas of psychological interest such as memory and attention, it is important to establish models of language processing that account for the wealth of information that has been gathered through scientific inquiry. Comprehension of how the language processing system works has implications for assisting practitioners in fields of psychiatry, education and even medical rehabilitation of stroke victims. Since the fall of the behaviourism movement in the late 1950’s, researchers in the field of psychology have presented models that suggest how language might be processed, however one of the criteria for any sufficient model of language processing must be able to account for how the language processing system is able to process language that could be interpreted in more than one way (MacDonald, Pearlmutter, & Seidenberg, 1994). Given that ambiguity, in this context, means anywhere that more than one interpretation can be found, ambiguity of varying types can actually be used to further delineate the mechanics of the language processing system. The focus of this essay is to explain how the study of ambiguity has informed our understanding of the language processing system, therefore giving an indication of some of the dimensions of how this system works. To begin with, there will be a brief description of how ambiguity has been used in research of written sentences in order to generate two popular models of written sentence processing collected in over 60 years of research. This is followed by a description of how ambiguity has helped research to comprehend how we process auditory words. The conclusion will demonstrate the wealth of evidence that shows the effects of context on the language processing system when resolving ambiguity.
I am interested in the processes that govern human behaviour which can be understood and interupt... more I am interested in the processes that govern human behaviour which can be understood and interupted. This is a short introduction explaining my area of interest. Any research connected with the areas mentioned will continue to be of interest to me.
Levels of processing theory and the encoding specificity theories are evaluated in terms of each ... more Levels of processing theory and the encoding specificity theories are evaluated in terms of each other. Have a read and see what you think...
This was a study into the interaction between emotional expressions and the rotation of faces aro... more This was a study into the interaction between emotional expressions and the rotation of faces around the y axis. Computer generated model faces were used in a task where 132 students took part in a repeated measures design which used a paired-associated, forced choice paradigm. Statistical tests revealed that there was a significant effect of expression on effectiveness of reaction times, significantly more so with angry faces which resulted in slower reaction times throughout. The more faces were rotated; the less effective reactions were in responding with a choice of same or different. These findings are further explained by neurocognitive ideas around the existence of a specialised threat-related attentional system which decreases attentional control when confronted with threat-related stimuli leading to participants’ attention being held for a longer period of time. Further research is suggested.
Current theory of social facilitation states that being observed by others can affect an individu... more Current theory of social facilitation states that being observed by others can affect an individual’s ability to carry out complex tasks. The following study was carried out in order to demonstrate the principles of this theory. A group of psychology students were given a drawing task in which they were asked to use their non-dominant hand to participate. The findings of this particular study showed no statistically significant results.Studies of this nature have implications that could contribute towards future research in the area of student participation in complex tasks such essay writing in exam conditions. For example, students may perform worse in exam conditions if they feel that they are being observed and/or evaluated by their peers.
This brand analysis is about Adobe Systems, a global leader in digital marketing and digital medi... more This brand analysis is about Adobe Systems, a global leader in digital marketing and digital media solutions (Adobe Systems Software Ireland Ltd., 2015).The Adobe brand is owned by Adobe Systems Incorporated, an American based multinational computer software company founded in 1982. The company has more than 13,000 employees around the world (Adobe Systems Software Ireland Ltd, 2015) and is primarily known for operating within the telecom and IT industries (SyncForce, 2015).
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