Psychology Winter News Roundup

These last two months have seen us head back into a national lockdown, but it hasn’t stopped our staff and students! Here is a summary of what has been going on here in the School of Psychology.

We reflected on achievements made during the pandemic…

  • Psychology student Theo discussed her experience of a clinical placement during a pandemic. Watch here.

Research continued…

  • A report, titled ‘Building Commonality’, written by Postgraduate Researcher Katie Goodbun, alongside Professor Dominic Abramsfound that young people participating in education programmes delivered by the Anne Frank Trust UK benefit from ‘significant and long-lasting anti-prejudice outcomes’. Read the full story.
  • Dr Kristof Dhont published two articles on vegetarianism in The Psychologist, he commented: “the articles will make you reflect on your own dietary habits and help you to understand why the consumption of meat and other animal products is ethically problematic, yet difficult to change”. Read the full story.
  • Professor Karen Douglas discussed how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them and whether there is any way to combat them effectively. “This past year, COVID-19 and the U.S. elections have provided fertile ground for conspiracy theories—with sometimes disastrous consequences.” Listen to the podcast and read her comments in the Nieman Lab.

Survival tips for mind and body were something we all needed…

We considered making changes in January…

  • Dr Kristof Dhont explained how to successfully adopt a plant-based diet in Veganuary “from finding a Vegan ‘buddy’ to dealing with potentially hostile conversations about a change in diet with friends and family”. Read his tips.
  • Dr Clara de Inocencio Laporta suggested that we may see more individuals pursuing vocations they are passionate about in 2021. “Even people who thought they had ‘dream jobs’ before Covid-19 are reflecting on what these amount to now that they are working from their kitchens or bedrooms.” Read more.

Keep up to date with the latest news from the School of Psychology