The influence of clothing on first impressions : Rapid and positive responses to minor changes in male attire

Clothing communicates information about the wearer and first impressions can be heavily influenced by the messages conveyed by attire. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of minor changes in clothing on the perception of a male model, in the absence of facial information with limited time exposurePeer reviewe

Unbuttoned: : The interaction between provocativeness of female work attire and occupational status

This document is the Accepted Manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-015-0450-8.Gender-biased standards in United Kingdom (UK) workplaces continue to exist. Women experience gender discrimination in judgements of competence, even by other women. Clothing cues can subtly influence professional perceptions of women. The aim of this study was to investigate how minor manipulations to female office clothing affect the judgements of competence of them by other UK females and to examine whether such effects differ with occupational status. One group of female university students (n = 54) and one group of employed females (n = 90), all from London and the East of England, rated images of faceless female targets, on a global competence measure derived from six competence ratings (of intelligence, confidence, trustworthiness, responsibility, authority, and organisation). The dress style was conservative but varied slightly by skirt length and the number of buttons unfastened on a blouse. The female targets were ascribed different occupational roles, varying by status (high – senior manager, or low - receptionist). Participants viewed the images for a maximum of 5 s before rating them. Overall participants rated the senior manager less favourably when her clothing was more provocative, but more favourably when dressed more conservatively (longer skirt, buttoned up blouse). This interaction between clothing and status was not present for the receptionist. Employed participants also rated females lower than did student participants. We conclude that even subtle changes to clothing style can contribute towards negative impressions of the competence of women who hold higher status positions in a UK cultural contextPeer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

A prospective study exploring the construct and predictive validity of the COM-B model for physical activity

The final, definitive version of this paper has been published in Journal of Health Psychology, November 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317739098, published by SAGE Publishing, All rights reserved.This study examined the constructs of Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation from the COM-B model and their influence on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Using a prospective survey design, 186 healthy adults completed measures representing the Theoretical Domains Framework mapped to the COM-B, and MVPA one week later. The main indicators for the COM constructs were ‘habits’ (Capability), ‘subjective norms’ (Opportunity), and ‘exercise self-identity’ (Motivation). Motivation (77%) and MVPA (50%) were strongly predicted, with Capability and Motivation as key drivers of behaviour. Motivation was a strong mediator for Capability on behaviour. Future research should consider this approach for other populations and behaviours.Peer reviewe

A nod in the wrong direction : Does nonverbal feedback affect eyewitness confidence in interviews?

Eyewitnesses can be influenced by an interviewer's behaviour and report information with inflated confidence as a result. Previous research has shown that positive feedback administered verbally can affect the confidence attributed to testimony, but the effect of non-verbal influence in interviews has been given little attention. This study investigated whether positive or negative non-verbal feedback could affect the confidence witnesses attribute to their responses. Participants witnessed staged CCTV footage of a crime scene and answered 20 questions in a structured interview, during which they were given either positive feedback (a head nod), negative feedback (a head shake) or no feedback. Those presented with positive non-verbal feedback reported inflated confidence compared with those presented with negative non-verbal feedback regardless of accuracy, and this effect was most apparent when participants reported awareness of the feedback. These results provide further insight into the effects of interviewer behaviour in investigative interviewsPeer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

How effective is community physical activity promotion in areas of deprivation for inactive adults with cardiovascular disease risk and/or mental health concerns? Study protocol for a pragmatic observational evaluation of the ’Active Herts' physical activity programme

Introduction: There is a high prevalence of inactive adults in the UK, and many suffer from conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) or poor mental health. These coexist more frequently in areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation. There is a need to test the effectiveness, acceptability and sustainability of physical activity programmes. Active Herts uses novel evidence-based behaviour change techniques to target physical inactivity. Methods and analysis: Active Herts is a community physical activity programme for inactive adults aged 16+ with one or more risk factors for CVD and/or a mild to moderate mental health condition. This evaluation will follow a mixed-methods longitudinal (baseline, and 3-month, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups) design. Pragmatic considerations mean delivery of the programme differs by locality. In two areas programme users will receive a behaviour change technique booklet, regular consultations, a booster phone call, motivational text messages and signposting to 12 weeks of exercise classes. In another two areas programme users will also receive 12 weeks of free tailored exercise classes, with optional exercise ‘buddies’ available. An outcome evaluation will assess changes in physical activity as the primary outcome, and sporting participation, sitting, well-being, psychological capability and reflective motivation as secondary outcomes. A process evaluation will explore the views of stakeholders, delivery staff and programme leads. Economic evaluation will examine the programme costs against the benefits gained in terms of reduced risk of morbidity. Ethics and dissemination: This study was been approved by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of East Anglia. Informed written consent will be obtained from programme users in the evaluation. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and shared through the study website and local community outlets

Evidence-Based and Theoretically-Driven Behaviour Change Interventions for Physical Activity to Enhance Health and Wellbeing

There are high rates of inactivity in UK adults, which can lead to a range of health problems. The main aims of this thesis were: first to review existing behaviour change intervention design, delivery, evaluation, and reporting frameworks to gauge the most effective process and/or combination; second to review the existing literature on physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions, to see whether they work, what techniques might be effective, and how well they were reported; third to review theories of behaviour (change) in terms of completeness and suitability for physical activity and sedentary behaviour; fourth to test the chosen theory (COM-B model) in terms of the relevant components of the three constructs (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation) and how well they predicted moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (in comparison to the Theory of Planned Behaviour); last to design, implement, and evaluate (including from the deliverers’ perspective) a community physical activity programme, with the techniques highlighted in the review included in the content and the behavioural drivers from the theory analysis as secondary outcomes. The exploration of behaviour change intervention design frameworks concluded by summarising a nine-step process covering the most important elements from needs assessment to dissemination. The systematic review showed physical activity interventions to be effective at changing behaviour and maintaining those changes, and pointed towards behaviour change techniques that were associated with effectiveness. The theory review concluded that the COM-B contained the most comprehensive range of behavioural determinants and was ideally situated within the Behaviour Change Wheel for designing interventions. The COM-B analysis showed a strong prediction of MVPA and highlighted Psychological Capability and Reflective Motivation as important drivers. Sedentary behaviour was also predicted relatively strongly with Psychological Capability the most important driver. The Active Herts programme was then detailed and evaluated, showing improvements in physical activity, health, life satisfaction, and wellbeing at 3 and 6 months. COM-B measures predicted MVPA more strongly after intervention at 3 and 6 months, than at baseline, and were better at predicting MVPA performance than change over this period. Interviews with the Get Active Specialists delivering the programme reflected positively on the training, materials, and overall programme. Key lessons to take forward were extra support at the start with supervision and engaging referrers, and limiting the length and complexity of outcomes measures. The discussion explored the need to measure long-term outcomes of behaviour change, difficulties in measuring the constructs of the COM-B, the balance between standardisation and tailoring of interventions, and adopting a transdisciplinary approach to programme design

Protocol of the adaptive study of IL-2 dose frequency on regulatory T cells in type 1 diabetes (DILfrequency): a mechanistic, non-randomised, repeat dose, open-label, response-adaptive study.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing β cells in the pancreatic islets, leading to insulinopenia and hyperglycaemia. Genetic analyses indicate that alterations of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) pathway mediating immune activation and tolerance predispose to T1D, specifically the polymorphic expression of the IL-2 receptor-α chain (CD25) on T lymphocytes. Replacement of physiological doses of IL-2 could restore self-tolerance and prevent further autoimmunity by enhancing the function of CD4(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs) to limit the activation of auto reactive T effector cells (Teffs). In this experimental medicine study, we use an adaptive trial design to determine the optimal dosing regimen for IL-2 to improve Treg function while limiting activation of Teffs in participants with T1D. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Adaptive study of IL-2 dose frequency on Tregs in type 1 diabetes(DILfrequency) is a mechanistic, non-randomised, repeat dose open-label, response-adaptive study of 36 participants with T1D. The objective is to establish the optimal dose and frequency of ultra-low dose IL-2: to increase Treg frequency within the physiological range, to increase CD25 expression on Tregs, without increasing CD4(+) Teffs. DILfrequency has an initial learning phase where 12 participants are allocated to six different doses and frequencies followed by an interim statistical analysis. After analysis of the learning phase, the Dose and Frequency Committee will select the optimal targets for Treg frequency, Treg CD25 expression and Teff frequency. Three groups of eight participants will be treated consecutively in the confirming phase. Each dose and frequency selected will be based on statistical analysis of all data collected from the previous groups. ETHICS: Ethical approval for DILfrequency was granted on 12 August 2014. RESULTS: The results of this study will be reported, through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and an internal organisational report. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT02265809, ISRCTN40319192, CRN17571.This work is funded by The Sir Jules Thorn Award for Biomedical Research 2013 (13/JTA), the JDRF (9-2011-253), the Wellcome Trust (091157) and the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research is in receipt of a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award (100140). AM was supported by the Medical Research Council [grant number G0800860] and the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.This is the final version of the article. It was first available from BMJ via http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-00979