Internal Seminars Schedule – Term 3

Wednesdays from 11am-12pm

Please note that these seminars are one hour earlier than usual, to avoid a clash with other seminars. The seminars will be held on Microsoft Teams and a calendar invitation with a link will be sent in advance.

Presenter 1: Eugene Malthouse

Title: How to protect yourself against COVID-19 and tennis elbow: a matter of existing beliefs

Abstract: We investigated the extent to which members of the UK and US public (n = 3,899) exhibited confirmation bias when presented with controversial (vaccine-related) and uncontroversial (tennis elbow-related) data. People made systematic errors (p < .01) when evaluating evidence that was inconsistent with their prior beliefs – a pattern that emerged among those with both pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination attitudes.

Presenter 2: Isabelle Barrett

Title: Dimensionality in Human Reasoning

Abstract: The single- vs dual-process debate is an important question in the domain of inferential reasoning. In 2018, Stephens, Dunn, and Hayes developed a new analysis method and found evidence against all but one possible single process model. Based on evidence from Singmann and Klauer (2011) I conducted three experiments with the aim of finding evidence against this remaining model.

Presenter 3: Charlotte Gannon

Title: The role of language in the evolution of imagination

Abstract: The mental capacity to imagine objects and events that do not exist in the present is one of the most important forms of cognitive tools for humans and plays a crucial role in language development. So far, its origins remain a mystery, as does the role of language in its evolution. Using a brand-new methodology with a multidisciplinary approach this project will measure the presence of imagination-like abilities in great apes and preverbal infants to investigate whether imagination can exist where language does not.

Presenter 4: Duaa Ashoor

Title: The role of protective factors on adolescents who are involved in bullying

Abstract: Adolescents who experience bullying at the hands of peers are at an increased risk for different adjustment problems, including behavioral and emotional difficulties, developing depressive and anxiety symptoms, low academic performance, as well as low self-esteem. Less is known about what individual, family, school, or community-level factors may provide protection against adverse outcomes. This study will examine whether protective factors may reduce or moderate the associations between peer victimization and behavioral and emotional difficulties, general well-being, and academic performance during adolescence. The significance of this study is to examine the effect of protective factors in reducing the negative outcomes of bullying and promoting resilience to bullied adolescents in Saudi culture. Different levels of support may potentially reduce the negative outcomes of bullying.

Seminar co-ordinator: Suzanne Aussems