Help us learn more about our responses to COVID19

It is a strange and, for many, a really difficult time. I hope you are all managing as well as possible and that your and yours are all doing ok…

I know its been a while since the last post (hopefully that will change soon) but I think that a project I am currently taking part in may be of interest to many of you, and I wanted to share an opportunity to take part…

What is the ‘psychology’ of epidemic diseases?

This is the question we are exploring! I’m part of a team at London South Bank University who are exploring how we respond psychologically to events such as the COVID19 outbreak – we have some studies we have completed the initial phases of work for already (such as looking at how being in a group changes the way we feel about disease), but also some that are currently recruiting. If you’d like to help us, you may be able to volunteer to take part in one in particular…

What does it involve?

In brief, we are looking for people to spend about 30-40 minutes with us to do an interview via phone or Skype, discussing how they seek out, understand and evaluate information around corona virus.

Who can take part?

We are looking for volunteers who are English speakers living in the UK who are aged between 20-30 years old and also UK ex-pats who live in Hong Kong of any age.

How can I find out more?

Easy! just email me at fringsd@lsbu.ac.uk and we will be in touch with an information sheet which has full details 🙂 Equally, please share this invite with anyone you know who may be interested and eligible to take part 🙂

In anycase…

Regardless of whether this is of interest or not, I really hope you are all able to stay as healthy (physically and, of course, psychologically) as possible over the coming weeks, not matter what is thrown at you. I also hope that when silver linings do appear (whether this is being less busy and taking time to yourself, being more busy learning new skills, or just appreciating the sunshine through kitchen window) you are able to grab the opportunity…

Are you a member of AA? Research opportunity!

As you may know, a big part of my ‘day job’ is research – you may also know I have an interest in the psychology of addiction recovery. It’s an exciting time onthat front for me at the moment, as we are just about to launch a new study. Specifically, I’m running a study looking at the social processes which underpin the functions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an online survey and it will take about 10 minutes. If you are in AA,  you would be more than welcome to take part (in fact, I wold be really grateful!).

The study takes 10 minutes. You will be asked to read a short story and answer a questionnaire telling us what you think of it, and also asking you about your recovery journey to date, feelings about AA and your confidence about the future.

Want to take part? Just click here
Or, why not forward this post to a friend who may be interested?

Low alcohol wine? You may just neck the whole bottle!

Why low alcohol messages may not be the answer…

Over the last few years a lot of the alcohol research I have been involved in has been looking at helping people make better decisions about their alcohol consumption. Drinking too much has massive implication for society – it contributes to a generally high prevalence of people being overweight (alcohol is highly calorific) and people consuming alcohol takes a toll on society – both in terms of long term health care costs (i.e. people being at increased risk of heart and liver disease) but also in terms of alcohol related violence. Public health campaigns encouraging us to drink responsibly have met with limited success, and it’s not a problem that will go away. One possible way we could be approach this is by making low alcohol wines and beers more widely available – giving people a choice of a less calorific, less intoxicating drink. But would this work? Me and some colleagues from LSBU’s Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research teamed up with Cambridge University’s Behaviour and Health Research Unit to start finding out out…

Continue reading “Low alcohol wine? You may just neck the whole bottle!”

Feeling blue? We’re testing a new psychological help app – ‘Tomo’

Help us test the efficacy of Tomo!

If you are currently feeling low / blue and live in London, you may be interested in some research I am involved in. We are currently recruiting people to take part in trial of a new app – ‘Tomo’ which may help improve mood and psychological wellbeing.

Find out more here

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Want to help my students? (Online research)

 

Help a student (or even two)!

A few of my students have some interesting online research going on as part of their courses – have a look and see if you’d like to  take part of :-). There is no payment for participation, except the warm glow you get inside for having helped someone out 🙂

Eyewitness testimony around pubs and clubs

One of my  students (Georgina Bartlett) is doing a study  investigating eyewitness memory for crimes that take place around pubs and clubs as part of her doctoral studies-  If you wish to take part, you will be asked to complete a consent form before watching a short video clip of a crime outside a bar. You will also be asked to fill in a short questionnaire. In total the study should take around 10 minutes. You can find out more about this study by clicking here.

How people interact with Facebook

One of my undergraduates, Christian Powell, is looking at how people interact with Facebook as part of their undergraduate studies. This questionaire will ask you how well you can resist clicking facebook notifications, and takes about 15 minutes. If you want to find out more, click here.

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10 Psychology Findings That Will Improve Your Life

Psychology has loads of findings which can potentially allow us to lead happier – or at least more content – lives! Here are 10 which can improve yours. Or at least make you smile and think…

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Is it time for a Nobel prize in Psychology?

Nobel Prize in Psyhcology

Thaler wins Nobel prize in Psychology Economics

In October 2017 one of the authors of the modern classic ‘Nudge’, economist Richard Thaler, won the Nobel Prize in Economics. But is Thaler really a social psychologist in disguise? And should the discipline get a ‘Nobel-esque’ prize of it’s own? Where is the Nobel prize in Psychology?

Continue reading “Is it time for a Nobel prize in Psychology?”

Quit smoking, win a holiday to the Caribbean.

If you live in London and smoke, you have to read this!

beachI am currently leading a research trial at London South Bank University to compare the effectiveness of two leading quit smoking programmes. If you smoke and are considering quitting it would be great if you could take part!

Both programmes are effective methods of support for people wanting to quit and are run by qualified professionals. Everyone who completes the research side of the program (which involves three short appointments at Elephant and Castle) will be entered into a prize draw to win prizes including gym membership, an ipad and a holiday in the Caribbean.

Apply now: quit@lsbu.ac.uk

What will it involve?

infographic

You will be asked to see the research team four times. Each visit will last no longer than 5-10 minutes and evening and weekend appointments are available. For the final visit- we will come and see you at your home or workplace if it is easier. You will be entered for the prize draw regardless of whether or not you stay an ex-smoker, as long as all four appointments with the research team have been attended.

Don’t miss out.

We are only recruiting limited numbers for this study, so make sure you don’t miss out.  You can find out more by clicking here or by emailing the team at quit@lsbu.ac.uk . Why not take the plunge and do it now?

 

New Study Participation Opportunity (London only)

Do you smoke or vape and live in London?

Would you like to take part in a valuable research study and get paid?

I’m really excited to be leading a research project funded by Cancer Research UK looking at people’s attitudes towards e-cigarettes. If you smoke tobacco or vape e-cigarettes we’d be really keen to hear from you. The study is open to non-smokers too! If you took part in our earlier E-cig research (which is still open by the way) you can still take part in this one….

What’s involved?

Continue reading “New Study Participation Opportunity (London only)”