10,289 research outputs found

    Undergraduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

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    The time we experience : understanding the phenomenologies of temporal passage and presentness

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    This dissertation explores what is involved in the alleged phenomenologies of the passage of time and the present, two phenomenological data that are normally cited to support the A-theory of time. It argues that the phenomenology corresponding to the purported passage phenomenology is that of dynamic changes in things’ states, and the phenomenology corresponding to the purported presentness phenomenology is that of (only) some things and events occurring simpliciter. It claims that these illusory phenomenologies are products of the feature of our perceptual experience of having a confined temporal horizon, which includes three aspects – limited access, involuntariness, and directionality. It also argues that the illusory phenomenologies of dynamic change and things and events occurring simpliciter, despite being at odds with the B-ontology, do not lend support to the A-theory of time. Furthermore, it provides insight into why our perceptual experience has a confined temporal horizon and how the intuitive beliefs that we experience temporal passage and presentness arise from the illusory phenomenologies

    The effect of brief exposure to virtual nature on mental wellbeing in adolescents.

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    This is the final version. Available from Nature Research via the DOI in this record. Adolescence is a time of multiple transitions and a vulnerability period for mental health difficulties. There are many barriers to the treatment of mental health conditions which is one reason for developing alternatives to help improve efficacy in treatment and prevention. One approach is to use nature-based interventions (NBIs) to improve mental wellbeing. In this experimental proof-of-principle intervention study, we randomly allocated a sample of adolescents to brief exposure (6 min) to either a virtual woodland nature video or a busy train journey and tested the effect on mental wellbeing. Results showed beneficial effects in the nature condition on several self-reported outcomes including stress, relaxation, affect, mood, attention, nature connection and nature spirituality. The intervention was mainly acceptable and feasible to do suggesting that overall brief virtual nature interventions may have utility in a range of mental health contexts for adolescents including as self-help universal or targeted prevention strategies, adjunct to psychological therapy and as preparation for more intensive NBIs. Additionally, brief virtual nature interventions support accessibility for those who may be limited on time, unable to access real-life nature or who may be more biophobic

    Graduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

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    Mental Imagery to Reduce Alcohol-related harm in patients with alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related liver damaGE: the MIRAGE randomised pilot trial results

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    Objective The healthcare burden of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is increasing. ARLD and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is best managed by reduction or cessation of alcohol use, but effective treatments are lacking. We tested whether people with ARLD and AUD admitted to hospital could be recruited to and retained in a trial of Functional Imagery Training (FIT), a psychological therapy that uses mental imagery to reduce alcohol craving. We conducted a multicentre randomised pilot trial of treatment as usual (TAU) versus FIT+TAU in people admitted to hospital with ARLD and AUD. Design Participants were randomised to TAU (a single session of brief intervention) or FIT+TAU (TAU with one hospital-based FIT session then eight telephone sessions over 6 months). Pilot outcomes included recruitment rate and retention at day 180. Secondary outcomes included fidelity of FIT delivery, alcohol use, and severity of alcohol dependence. Results Fifty-four participants (mean age 49; 63% male) were recruited and randomised, 28 to TAU and 26 to FIT+TAU. The retention rate at day 180 was 43%. FIT was delivered adequately by most alcohol nurses. 50% of intervention participants completed FIT sessions 1 and 2. There were no differences in alcohol use or severity of alcohol dependence between treatment groups at day 180. Conclusion Participants with ARLD and AUD could be recruited to a trial of FIT versus FIT+TAU. However, retention at day 180 was suboptimal. Before conducting a definitive trial of FIT in this patient group, modifications in the intervention and recruitment/retention strategy must be tested. Trial registration number ISRCTN41353774

    Cognition in vestibular disorders: state of the field, challenges, and priorities for the future

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    Vestibular disorders are prevalent and debilitating conditions of the inner ear and brain which affect balance, coordination, and the integration of multisensory inputs. A growing body of research has linked vestibular disorders to cognitive problems, most notably attention, visuospatial perception, spatial memory, and executive function. However, the mechanistic bases of these cognitive sequelae remain poorly defined, and there is a gap between our theoretical understanding of vestibular cognitive dysfunction, and how best to identify and manage this within clinical practice. This article takes stock of these shortcomings and provides recommendations and priorities for healthcare professionals who assess and treat vestibular disorders, and for researchers developing cognitive models and rehabilitation interventions. We highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for developing and evaluating clinically relevant theoretical models of vestibular cognition, to advance research and treatment

    Musicking and Soundscapes amongst Magical-Religious Witches Community and Ritual Practices

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    Drumming and chanting are core practices in modern magical-religious Witchcraft in the absence of unifying texts or standardized rituals. Song and musicality contribute towards self-creation and community making. However, Nature Religions and alternate spiritualities are seldom included in surveys of religious musicking or soundscapes. This article considers musicality in earlier publications on modern Witchcraft, as well as the author’s fieldwork with magical-religious Witches in the UK, to show the valuable contribution they make to discsusions on religious belonging and the sensorium through song, music, percussion, and soundscapes

    A Spark Of Emotion: The Impact of Electrical Facial Muscle Activation on Emotional State and Affective Processing

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    Facial feedback, which involves the brain receiving information about the activation of facial muscles, has the potential to influence our emotional states and judgments. The extent to which this applies is still a matter of debate, particularly considering a failed replication of a seminal study. One factor contributing to the lack of replication in facial feedback effects may be the imprecise manipulation of facial muscle activity in terms of both degree and timing. To overcome these limitations, this thesis proposes a non-invasive method for inducing precise facial muscle contractions, called facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES). I begin by presenting a systematic literature review that lays the groundwork for standardising the use of fNMES in psychological research, by evaluating its application in existing studies. This review highlights two issues, the lack of use of fNMES in psychology research and the lack of parameter reporting. I provide practical recommendations for researchers interested in implementing fNMES. Subsequently, I conducted an online experiment to investigate participants' willingness to participate in fNMES research. This experiment revealed that concerns over potential burns and involuntary muscle movements are significant deterrents to participation. Understanding these anxieties is critical for participant management and expectation setting. Subsequently, two laboratory studies are presented that investigated the facial FFH using fNMES. The first study showed that feelings of happiness and sadness, and changes in peripheral physiology, can be induced by stimulating corresponding facial muscles with 5–seconds of fNMES. The second experiment showed that fNMES-induced smiling alters the perception of ambiguous facial emotions, creating a bias towards happiness, and alters neural correlates of face processing, as measured with event-related potentials (ERPs). In summary, the thesis presents promising results for testing the facial feedback hypothesis with fNMES and provides practical guidelines and recommendations for researchers interested in using fNMES for psychological research

    Cognition in vestibular disorders: state of the field, challenges, and priorities for the future

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    Vestibular disorders are prevalent and debilitating conditions of the inner ear and brain which affect balance, coordination, and the integration of multisensory inputs. A growing body of research has linked vestibular disorders to cognitive problems, most notably attention, visuospatial perception, spatial memory, and executive function. However, the mechanistic bases of these cognitive sequelae remain poorly defined, and there is a gap between our theoretical understanding of vestibular cognitive dysfunction, and how best to identify and manage this within clinical practice. This article takes stock of these shortcomings and provides recommendations and priorities for healthcare professionals who assess and treat vestibular disorders, and for researchers developing cognitive models and rehabilitation interventions. We highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for developing and evaluating clinically relevant theoretical models of vestibular cognition, to advance research and treatment
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