School of Psychology Events

Psychology Colloquium: Applied Sport and Performance Psychology: Effects of Stereotypes on Athletes’ and Coaches’ Wellbeing and Performance
2022-03-25 15:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Speaker: Dr Kotryna K. Fraser (she/her/hers) is a Lecturer and an early career researcher in the Discipline of Exercise and Sport Sciences at the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney. She completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in positive youth development through sport before joining the academic team at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Kotryna’s current research focuses on equity and inclusion in sport and the effects the stereotypes have on players, coaches, and support staff. Kotryna also is a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (Psychology Support) and has been working with athletes and coaches since 2013.Abstract: Both Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Games are the most gender-representative Games in history. This is due to the increasing efforts to challenge the existing gendered stereotypes and status quo of the white heterosexual cis-gender abled-bodied male preserve of sport. Nonetheless, a gender gap and lack of representation are still seen among coaches, leaders and technical officials as only 13% of the accredited coaches at the Tokyo 2020 Games were female. No statistics are available on other protected characteristics such as ethnic identity or sexual orientation. In this presentation, I will offer a brief overview of how stereotypes affect our physical performance, result in emotional consequences, and may lead to adverse mental health and eventual withdrawal from sport. I will make links between social self-identity in the evaluative context and research on imposter feelings so that the high-performance sectors could draw lessons from.

IN PERSON VENUE: A08.02.217.Heydon Laurence Building. Heydon Laurence Lecture Theatre 217 (DT Anderson)
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Psychology Colloquium: The Ritual Animal: How rituals made our world… and how they could save it
2022-03-11 15:00 - 16:00
Professor Harvey Whitehouse, University of Oxford
Abstract: Rituals provide a way of defining the boundaries of social groups and binding their members together. In this talk, Harvey Whitehouse attempts to unravel the psychology behind these processes, to explain how ritual behaviour evolved and how different modes of ritual performance have shaped global history over many millennia. Efforts to test the ‘ritual modes’ theory have used a wide variety of methods ranging from field research, large scale multi-country surveys, and controlled experiments through to mathematical modelling and quantitative analysis of archaeological, ethnographic, and historical datasets. The results of this research point to new ways of addressing cooperation problems in the twenty-first century: from preventing violent extremism and tackling crime to managing global pandemics and motivating action on the climate crisis.
Bio: Harvey Whitehouse is Professor of Social Anthropology and Director of the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion at the University of Oxford. He is currently the recipient of an ERC Advanced Grant to investigate the role of rituals in binding groups together and motivating inter-group competition and conflict. Whitehouse is also a founding director of Seshat: Global History Databank which is being used to explore the role of rituals in the evolution of social complexity.
IN PERSON VENUE: A08.02.217.Heydon Laurence Building. Heydon Laurence Lecture Theatre 217 (DT Anderson)
OR
JOIN VIA ZOOM

CANCELLED Psychology Colloquium: Prof Jessica Grisham (University of New South Wales)
2021-11-12 15:00 - 16:00
CANCELLEDProf Jessica Grisham
University of New South Wales
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA

Psychology Colloquium: Laureate talks by Prof Olivier Piguet & A/Prof Damian Birney (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2021-11-05 15:00 - 16:00
Please join us for a special two-part colloquium, with Laureate talks by two grant winners in our School:Prof Olivier Piguet
Human hippocampus subregions organisation and associative memory processes.
This proposal will investigate the hippocampus, a highly inter-connected structure containing many subregions. Although considered the memory centre of the brain, we still do not know the exact roles of these subregions during memory processes. Using novel brain neuroimaging acquisition methods and analyses, this project aims to map the internal structure and functions of the hippocampus and its functional networks under different memory conditions and how these functions change with age. The intended outcome of this proposal is to provide the foundations for the first integrated model of human memory and its biological basis and to generate a benchmark against which future development of memory interventions and retraining can be measured.

A/Prof Damian Birney
A paradigm shift in understanding cognitive flexibility.
The project aims to model cognitive flexibility as a dynamic process within people that varies across situations and occasions using advanced data analytics. Significance: The project intends to generate new knowledge in intelligence theory using recent advances that overcome known theory-testing limitations that have historically been ignored. Expected Outcomes: An authentic account of cognitive flexibility and a new paradigm for developing and testing models of dynamic change within people. Benefits: Dynamic models are needed to understand authentic problem-solving and cognitive function. The advances benefit research and applied areas where dynamic processes are important, including education, work, and cognitive aging.

Please join us on Friday 5th November at 3pm online at: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/81648124363.

Psychology Colloquium: Associate Professor Richard Ramsey (Department of Psychology – Macquarie University)
2021-10-29 15:00 - 16:00
Associate Professor Richard RamseyDepartment of Psychology – Macquarie University
Title: Perceiving and Interacting with Social Agents: Insights from Brain and Behaviour
Abstract: The ability to perceive and interact with others typically occurs in an effortless manner, but is underpinned by complex cognitive and neural processes. In this talk, I review recent evidence from behavioural and brain imaging studies that uncover deeper insight into social cognition and brain function. Using examples from person perception and theory-of-mind paradigms, as well as work investigating individual differences and loneliness, I highlight the importance of considering distributed and connected brain circuits when aiming to understand how we perceive and interact with others in a social world.

The inaugural Professor Sally Andrews Lecture on Cognitive Psychology: Prof Frini Karayanidis (University of Newcastle)
2021-10-22 15:00 - 16:00
Prof Frini KarayanidisSchool of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle
Title:
Cognitive control ability: An early warning signal?
Abstract:
Cognitive control processes support goal-directed behaviour and flexible adaptation in response to changing contexts. These processes are enabled by prefrontal cortical regions and are sensitive to genetic, biological and environmental impacts (e.g., age, physical and mental health conditions, substance use, lifestyle choices). Cognitive control ability varies across the developmental lifespan, and level of ability in early life is predictive of adaptive or maladaptive outcomes in adulthood. It has been suggested that cognitive control processes may be a sensitive early warning system of the need for intervention to prevent cascading effects of cognitive decline across multiple contexts and areas of functioning. However, there are currently no approaches to reliably assess cognitive control trajectories and identify patterns of deviation. In this talk, I argue that the task-switching paradigm may be a promising candidate as the “canary in the coalmine”. I briefly review our current understanding about the task-switching paradigm, including the underlying cognitive control processes, the link to prefrontal cortical function and the paradigm’s sensitivity to developmental trajectories, clinical conditions and lifestyle variations. I outline our current work with this paradigm in healthy ageing and briefly touch on challenges ahead.
Please join us online at https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/83525864994 on Friday 22nd October at 3pm.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Jess Taubert (University of Queensland)
2021-10-15 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Jess TaubertUniversity of Queensland
Title: The mechanisms underlying the recognition of social signals in the primate brain.
Abstract:
The overarching goal of my research is to understand how we recognize different visual objects in the environment, with a specific focus on the recognition of social signals. Our remarkable ability to “read the room” is a form of social intelligence that emerges during infancy and contributes to our social wellbeing, yet its neural basis is only partially understood. How do we detect and locate other social agents while we are walking around? How do we seem to know when a stranger standing at a distance is looking directly at us? How do we track changes in someone’s mood during a conversation (and can we do this efficiently via zoom)? To address these questions and others, I combine psychophysics with state-of-the-art neuroscientific methods (including whole brain functional imaging, single-cell recordings and inactivation techniques) and I test multiple primate species, including rhesus macaques.
In this talk I will describe some of my recent discoveries including (1) the causal role of the amygdala in face detection and (2) the neural correlates of emotional body language in the macaque brain. These experiments set the stage for future studies that will identify the neural circuits responsible for interpreting facial signals and guiding social behaviour in both human and nonhuman primates.
https://psychology.uq.edu.au/profile/10567/jess-taubert

No colloquium this week – PsychFest
2021-10-08 15:00 - 16:00

Psychology Colloquium: Prof Emily Cross (Macquarie University)
2021-09-24 15:00 - 16:00
Prof Emily CrossMacquarie University
Title:
Mind meets machine: Towards a cognitive science of human—machine interactions
Abstract:
As robots advance from the pages and screens of science fiction into our homes, hospitals, and schools, they are poised to take on increasingly social roles. Consequently, the need to understand the mechanisms supporting human-machine interactions is becoming increasingly pressing, and will require contributions from the social, cognitive and brain sciences in order to make progress. In this talk, we introduce a framework for studying the cognitive and brain mechanisms that support human-machine interactions, leveraging advances made in social cognition and cognitive neuroscience to link different levels of description with relevant theory and methods. Also highlighted are unique features that make this endeavour particularly challenging (and rewarding) for brain and behavioural scientists. Overall, the framework offers a way to conceptualize and study the cognitive science of human-machine interactions that respects the diversity of social machines, individuals’ expectations and experiences, and the structure and function of multiple cognitive and brain systems.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Adam Bulley School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
2021-09-17 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Adam Bulley Adam Bulley is an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow at the School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, and the Department of Psychology at Harvard University
Title: Making decisions about the future: lessons from research in prospection
Abstract:
Aside from its role in remembering the past, human memory also contributes to our capacity to think about and imagine what might happen in the future. This prospective cognition is a foundation of adaptive behaviour and serves multiple functions in everyday life. In this talk, I will explore one such function: making flexible decisions that take delayed consequences into account. Trade-offs between sooner and later consequences are pervasive and consequential in human affairs, arising in decisions about our finances, health, relationships, politics, the environment, and in a range of other domains. A great deal of research has therefore attempted to leverage prospection to encourage patience across these domains, and I will review the promise of those efforts. However, I will also show why increasing patience is not necessarily a desirable goal and demonstrate how farsightedness can sometimes paradoxically encourage people to be less patient, not more. Throughout, I will draw lessons from the cognitive science of prospection for our understanding of impulsivity and self-control.

Adam Bulley is an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow at the School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, and the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He completed his PhD at the University of Queensland in cognitive science before moving overseas for his postdoctoral research. He is now back in Australia and has recently joined the school here at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on how people imagine and make decisions about the future.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Steph Kershaw (Matilda Centre, University of Sydney)
2021-09-10 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Steph KershawMatilda Centre, University of Sydney
Title: A digital health initiative about crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’)
Abstract:
Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) presents not only a ‘substance use problem’ but also a mental health problem in Australia. Cracks in the Ice (CITI) is a digital public health initiative that was developed as part of a national response to concerns about the drug. Cracks in the Ice aims to provide evidence-based information and resources about ice to the Australian community including people who use ice, families & friends, community members and health workers. In 2019, a large scale online national survey was conducted to assess participants’ perceptions of the toolkit along with their knowledge and attitudes towards ice and the people who use it. This presentation will include an introduction to Cracks in the Ice, as well as findings from the survey.

Psychology Colloquium: Prof Robert Krueger (University of Minnesota)
2021-09-03 15:00 - 16:00
Prof Robert KruegerUniversity of Minnesota
Title: Empirical classification of psychopathology: The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium
Abstract: Traditionally psychopathology has been classified based on the publications of authoritative bodies, such as the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA’s DSM). Recently, researchers have expressed an interest in basing classification more on data, as opposed to authority. This movement led to the formation of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium. Working from data, the HiTOP approach emphasizes dimensions of human individual differences that are arranged hierarchically, as opposed to categories that are arranged based on traditional DSM chapter rubrics. In this talk, I will describe the origins and current status of the HiTOP approach, as well as current and future HiTOP directions and priorities.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Kylie Radford (Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader, NeuRa & Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, UNSW)
2021-08-27 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Kylie RadfordSenior Research Scientist and Group Leader, NeuRa & Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, UNSW
Title: Ageing, dementia, and longevity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Abstract:
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia is ageing rapidly and is projected to exceed half a million older people in the next 30 years. With increasing lifespan, healthy ageing is becoming synonymous with healthy brain ageing, and dementia prevention is now a national and global priority. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have higher rates of all-cause dementia, from relatively younger ages of onset, compared to non-Indigenous Australians and many other populations. Culturally safe dementia diagnosis, health and aged care pathways, and dementia literacy are thus emergent community health priorities, but so too is dementia prevention. There is accumulating evidence for potentially modifiable risk factors across the life course and targeting these could have a major impact on reducing rates of dementia. However, there is considerable diversity across populations in the nature and prevalence of dementia risk factors, currently little evidence related to early life determinants, and a need for co-design and evaluation of multi-factorial and culturally responsive risk reduction initiatives. The Koori Growing Old Well Study (KGOWS) was initiated in 2008 to determine the rates of dementia and cognitive decline in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in urban areas of eastern Australia, where much of the population reside. This study also aimed to validate several cognitive tests, examine sociocultural and biomedical risk (and protective) factors, and translate these findings into policy and practice. Working in close collaboration with five Aboriginal communities, KGOWS found higher prevalence and incidence of dementia (predominantly Alzheimer’s disease) and cognitive decline at age 60 years and older; highly consistent with findings in remote settings. A range of potentially modifiable risk factors across the lifespan were identified, alongside older age, male sex, and APOE-ɛ4, which were also significant risk factors for cognitive decline over six years. Life-course social determinants of health appear to play a substantial role in disparities in brain health and dementia for Indigenous peoples and need to be addressed in conjunction with appropriate late-life risk reduction programs, to improve healthy ageing and longevity.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Gail Alvares (Senior Research Fellow, Telethon Kids Institute, WA)
2021-08-20 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Gail AlvaresSenior Research Fellow, Telethon Kids Institute, WA
Title: From biobank to clinic: translating autism research into clinical practice
Abstract: Nearly 80 years on from the first descriptions of what we now refer to as autism spectrum disorder, we are now at a crossroads in balancing essential research seeking to understand the mechanisms contributing to differences in neurodevelopment with the imperative from the community to accelerate priority-driven research that makes a meaningful differences in individual’s lives. In this talk, I will discuss a program of research spanning basic science discoveries to clinical intervention evaluations aiming to further evidence-based policies and clinical practices that ultimately benefit individuals on the spectrum and their families. I will present data from the Australian Autism Biobank, the largest biological and clinical repository of information on children on the autism spectrum and their families in Australia, as well as data from a state-wide autism diagnostic registry. I will also discuss recent findings and protocols of several large completed and ongoing trials that, together with our broader program of research, has informed the establishment of a new early intervention clinical research service for children on the autism spectrum and their families, CliniKids. Together, this program of work will provide evidence to challenge long-held dogmas and misconceptions about how we may understand and support individuals on the autism spectrum.

Psychology Colloquium: Laureate talks by A/Prof Haryana Dhillon & Prof Justin Harris (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2021-08-13 15:00 - 16:00
Please join us for a special two-part colloquium, with Laureate talks by two grant winners in our School:
A/Prof Haryana Dhillon (MRFF Brain Cancer Survivorship Grant, co-CI A/Prof Joanne Shaw) Title: “The BRAINS behind the money: funding a program of work in Brain cancer Rehabilitation, Assessment, Interventions for survivorship NeedS”. Project Summary: Brain cancers are an important, difficult to treat, and commonly fatal cancer. Those affected by brain cancer, both the individuals living with the diagnosis and their caregivers, experience debilitating and distressing changes as a consequence of the disease and its treatment. We have a unique opportunity in Australia to leverage existing knowledge and expertise to deliver better survivorship and supportive care to people affected by brain cancer. This program brings together the strongest teams in brain cancer, primary care, and psycho-oncology, supportive care, and survivorship across Australia to investigate five key areas in brain cancer management that could significantly improve the patient and caregiver experience and outcomes: identification of patient and caregiver needs, models of survivorship care, information and support resources, rehabilitation, and supportive care interventions. These themes permeate the disease, treatment, recovery, and end of life pathways of this population, our research team has the expertise, research, and clinical networks to successfully deliver this program of work. Our BRAINS program will deliver an care which is proactive in assessing and responding to need, in a way that is timely and proportionate to the severity and urgency, integrating the individual with brain cancer and their caregivers.
Prof Justin Harris (ARC Discovery Project) Title: “Learning from the evidence of absence”. Project Summary: Animals and people learn about cues that predict something important and how their own actions can cause important outcomes. They stop responding (known as extinction) when the cue or action is no longer followed by the outcome. In humans, extinction is a primary goal for behaviour therapies that aim to eliminate a variety of problem behaviours that create significant social burden (e.g. addictions, gambling, anxiety disorders). However, the success of extinction treatments is limited because some environmental conditions establish responding that is resistant to extinction and responding that has been extinguished is prone to relapse. Therefore, we need a better understanding of the processes that underlie extinction. Our understanding of extinction has largely come from studying laboratory animals. Indeed, both resistance to extinction and relapse are well established effects in animal studies. The current project builds on recent theoretical developments and exploits methodological advances to reveal what is learned during extinction and what makes behaviours resistant to change or prone to relapse.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Julie Ji (School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia)
2021-06-04 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Julie JiSchool of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia
Title: Can mental imagery-based episodic simulation influence behaviour?
Abstract: Mental imagery-based episodic simulation (MI-ES) allows us to pre-experience hypothetical future experiences, which has been shown to evoke emotions in the present (anticipatory emotion) and impact judgments about future outcomes (what might happen and how likely) and its emotional impact (anticipated emotion). While researchers have hypothesised that mental imagery-based episodic simulation drives behaviour, few studies have directly investigated the link between MI-ES and in behaviour. This colloquium will present the latest published and unpublished findings from correlational and experimental studies investigating individual differences in MI-ES and behaviour that have implications for clinical research on emotional and behavioural dysregulation.

Psychology Colloquium: Prof Katherine Boydell (Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales)
2021-05-28 15:00 - 16:00
Prof Katherine BoydellBlack Dog Institute, University of New South Wales
Title: Using art to promote pockets of research brilliance in health
Abstract: Arts-informed dissemination is an approach to enhancing knowledge translation in health sciences. Discourse on mental health(care) is plagued with references to issues/gaps. Media reports, empirical studies, and literature reviews focus on what is wrong, much to the neglect of what is right. Yet, evidence and anecdote suggest that, despite challenges that hinder health care, brilliance happens! To redress this imbalance, we collaborated with practitioners, scholars, and artists to use art to promote and understand pockets of brilliance within the health system.
We invited practitioners and scholars to identify pockets of brilliance within their workplace and clarify why it was brilliant. We then enlisted artists to work with them to transform these pockets into art. Reflecting varied talents, artists used textiles, sculpture, photography, imagery, and words to epitomise brilliance. During this process, we facilitated workshops, inviting practitioners, scholars, and artists to co-design these artworks with consumers and carers. We also captured artefacts via notes, diaries, and recordings.
Findings suggest that art can promote experiences that are inspiring, enriching, and difficult to articulate. This study suggests using art to epitomise brilliance can be propelled by: a clear focus on positivity that respectfully addresses challenges; regular dialogue to foster psychological safety; and positive deviance, whereby participants exercise initiative to challenge business-as-usual and trial innovative approaches.

CANCELLED: Psychology Colloquium: Dr Denovan Begg (School of Psychology, University of New South Wales)
2021-05-21 15:00 - 16:00
TODAY’S COLLOQUIUM HAS BEEN CANCELLED. DR BEGG’S TALK WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN SEMESTER 2.Dr Denovan Begg
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales
Title: The neural basis of ingestive behaviours
Abstract: Homeostatic regulation of ingestive behaviour is generally considered to be essential for survival. Despite eating often being thought of as a homeostatic behaviour, there is little evidence to suggest that eating is an automatic response to an acute shortage of energy. Instead, food intake can be considered an integrated response over a prolonged period of time that maintains the levels of stored energy. In addition, many non-homeostatic factors, including palatability, stress, learning, and social influences, interact to regulate food intake. My lab examines the neural circuitry involved in maintaining ingestive behaviours, using advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics and fibre photometry. In this talk I will present some of our recent data on the interaction between homeostatic signals and non-homeostatic factors regulating ingestive behaviour. Further, we will examine how these neural circuits may be involved in the treatments of obesity, specifically bariatric surgery.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Rachel Menzies (School of Psychology, University of Sydney)
2021-05-14 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Rachel MenziesSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney
Title: Death anxiety: The worm at the core of mental health
Abstract: Our awareness of mortality is a universal part of the human experience, and fears of death have been recorded throughout our species’ history. More recently, death anxiety has been proposed to be a transdiagnostic construct, underpinning a range of mental illnesses. This colloquium will outline theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting that death anxiety may be central to numerous mental health conditions. A series of published studies will be presented, demonstrating the causal role of death anxiety in driving clinically-relevant behaviour. It will be argued that current psychological treatments fail to sufficiently address death anxiety. Further, specifically targeting fears of death in treatment may be necessary to produce long-term symptom improvement. Lastly, evidence concerning the treatment efficacy for alleviating death anxiety will be discussed.

Psychology Colloquium: Professor Peter McEvoy (School of Psychology, Curtin University)
2021-05-07 15:00 - 16:00
Professor Peter McEvoySchool of Psychology, Curtin University
Title: Can imagery-based techniques enhance outcomes from cognitive behaviour group therapy for social anxiety disorder? Outcomes from a randomised controlled trial
Abstract: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common mental disorders, and it can have severely detrimental impacts on an individual’s ability to reach their social and occupational potential. People with SAD have a core fear of evaluation from others, which is associated with a range of maintaining factors such as negative thoughts and images relating to social threat, avoidance and safety behaviours, self-focused attention, negative core beliefs about the self and others, and anticipatory and post-event processing (i.e., rumination). This colloquium will outline the rationale for incorporating mental imagery into CBT before describing some of the imagery ‘enhancements’ used in this new treatment. A range of published and unpublished primary and secondary cognitive, behavioural, affective, and psychophysiological outcomes will be reported from a recently completed randomised controlled trial comparing the ‘imagery enhanced’ to a more traditional CBT approach.

Psychology Colloquium: Prof Stephan Lewandowsky (School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol)
2021-04-30 15:00 - 16:00
Prof Stephan LewandowskySchool of Psychological Science, University of Bristol
Title: Resisting the Knowledge Dementors: The Truth about “Post-Truth”
Abstract: We are said to live in a “post-truth” era in which “fake news” has replaced real information, denial has compromised science, and the ontology of knowledge and truth has taken on a relativist element. I argue that to defend evidence-based reasoning and knowledge against those attacks, we must understand the strategies by which the post-truth world is driven forward. I depart from the premise that the post-truth era did not arise spontaneously but is the result of a highly effective political movement that deploys a large number of rhetorical strategies. I focus on three strategies: The deployment of conspiracy theories, the use of “micro-targeting” and “bots” online, and agenda-setting by attentional diversion. I present evidence for the existence of each strategy and its impact, and how it might be countered.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Anand Gururajan (School of Psychology, University of Sydney)
2021-04-23 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Anand GururajanSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney
Title: Novel Insights into the Neurobiology of Stress-Induced Psychiatric Disorders
Abstract: Stress disorders such as major depression and PTSD are some of the most common psychiatric disorders and their prevalence has increased significantly against a background of growing global turmoil. I will present my research findings which have utilised a multidisciplinary research strategy to elucidate the role of non-coding transcriptomic and the epitranscriptomic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of these disorders and how they might be harnessed to develop new diagnostics and next-generation therapeutics.

Psychology Colloquium: Laureate talks by Prof David Alais & Prof Bart Anderson (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2021-04-16 15:00 - 16:00
Please join us for a special two-part colloquium, with Laureate talks by two grant winners in our School:
Prof David Alais (ARC Discovery Project, co-CI Prof Frans Verstraten) Title: “Multisensory perception in active observers”. Project Summary: Perception and action are usually studied separately, often under limited, non-ecological conditions. Recent evidence shows both functions are intrinsically linked and mutually influence each other. This project exploits new technologies to study dynamic perception in free-moving observers in real and virtual multisensory environments. The project will establish the mechanisms underlying the perception/action link and reveal how perceptual stability is achieved despite dynamic input that changes with action. It will generate new understanding of how the brain integrates its twin functions of perceiving the multisensory world and acting upon it, and will generate useful knowledge for virtual, remote and robotic applications.
Prof Bart Anderson (ARC Discovery Project) Title: “Emergent cues underlying the perception of shape, colour, and material”. Project Summary: The goal of this project is to identify the information the visual system uses to extract the three-dimensional structure and material composition of objects. This project aims to generate an advanced understanding of the information that supports these perceptual abilities and to advance our understanding how this information is learned from exposure to natural scenes. The findings of this work are expected to benefit our understanding of the human visual system, and to provide insights into the information needed to advance the development of deep neural networks (machine learning) that exploit the same information used by humans to guide our behavior and recognize objects and materials.

Psychology Colloquium: Laureate talks by A/Prof Carolyn MacCann & Prof Mark Dadds (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2021-03-26 15:00 - 16:00
Please join us for a special two-part colloquium, with Laureate talks by two grant winners in our School:
A/Prof Carolyn MacCann (ARC Discovery Project, co-CIs Dr Rebecca Pinkus, A/Prof Helena Nguyen, A/Prof Anya Johnson) Title: “When, why, and how well do we regulate other people’s emotions?”. Project Summary: This project aims to understand when and why people attempt to regulate others’ emotions, and to evaluate which regulation processes are most effective. We will study regulation attempts as they occur over minutes, days, and months in interactions between romantic couples and between nurse co-workers. This project extends the study of emotion regulation to others’ emotions as well as one’s own. The major project output will be an evidence-based theory of extrinsic regulation. Project benefits include applications of this new knowledge to programs and policies that reduce negative emotions and stress in healthcare workers and couples, reducing workplace burnout, on-the-job errors, relationship breakdown and their associated economic costs.
Prof Mark Dadds (NHMRC MRFF Neurological Disorders, co-CIs Dr Lucy Tully, Prof Valsa Eapen, Prof Bruce Tonge) Title: “Evaluation of a new brief intervention for childhood autism spectrum disorders”. Project Summary: Autism (ASD) is a complex lifelong disorder that involves social impairments and major challenges for caregivers. Research shows that parent mediated interventions can have a significant impact on maximising outcomes for these children. Surprisingly, there are no interventions currently available that address core ASD symptoms, behaviour disturbances, and parental well-being in one intervention, despite research showing that these outcomes are interdependent and amenable to change. Resourceful parents may be able to access each component individually, but they would have to attend different agencies, often university-based research trials, and could not access them as an integrated intervention. As separate interventions, they would add up to approximately 20-40 sessions, whereas we have pilot data indicating an integrated intervention could produce effects in ~12 sessions. In addition, current interventions for core symptoms were developed in the USA/UK, and have prohibitive costs for training/accreditation. As a result, there continues to be widespread implementation of ineffective or unsupported interventions for ASD in the Australian community. There is an urgent need to develop, evaluate and disseminate an integrated parenting intervention for children with ASD that: 1) is empirically-supported, time-limited and cost-effective; 2) addresses the interdependent domains of child and parent functioning within the one intervention; and 3) can be delivered during the child’s early critical development. We have developed a brief parent-mediated intervention that produces positive change, is consistent with new priorities of the NDIS, and has the potential to transform the landscape of interventions available for children with ASD early in life. We will conduct a large randomised controlled trial in preparation for national roll-out of the intervention and contribute new knowledge about how elements of treatment interact to influence outcomes for children with ASD.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Melissa Sharpe (Department of Psychology, UCLA)
2021-03-19 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Melissa SharpeDepartment of Psychology, UCLA
Title: The cognitive (lateral) hypothalamus
Abstract: The lateral hypothalamus is generally thought of as a switch that drives feeding. The idea is that if you turn on your lateral hypothalamus, you will instantaneously start eating whatever is in front of you. However, we have recently shown that this nucleus is critical for learning about the information that predicts food. This might seem like a small advance. But we were excited about this because it could mean that the lateral hypothalamus is involved in lots of other forms of learning that we haven’t thought about yet. Indeed, in this talk I will discuss data that show the lateral hypothalamus can even be recruited to learn about fearful events. Further, while the lateral hypothalamus is critical for learning about rewarding and fearful outcomes, this nucleus actively opposes learning about information that is not directly relevant to motivationally-significant outcomes (e.g. learning to associate neutral cues together). This research suggests that the lateral hypothalamus biases learning towards motivationally-significant information, and away from information that is not predictive of something important. This has led to two research directions in my lab: one that investigates how the lateral hypothalamus is integrated into the traditional fear circuit, and another that examines how changes to hypothalamic circuits present in psychological disorders might alter the balance of learning about relevant information.

Psychology Colloquium: Laureate talks by Dr Caitlin Cowan & Dr Stephanie Wong (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2021-03-12 15:00 - 16:00
Please join us for a special two-part colloquium, with Laureate talks by two NHMRC Investigator Grant winners in our School:
Dr Caitlin Cowan – Title: “The developing microbiome as a predictor and modulator of mental health risk and resilience: A translational gut-brain axis approach to improving childhood mental health”. Project Summary: A child’s development sets the pathway for their adult functioning. Mental health is no exception, with the majority of psychological disorders having their roots in childhood or adolescence. Currently, our gold-standard treatments for childhood psychopathologies are effective for only half of individuals, meaning there is a dire need for new approaches to this problem. My project will test the hypothesis propose that gastrointestinal microorganisms (collectively known as the microbiome) contribute to psychological risk or wellbeing by shaping the gut-brain axis during critical periods of development.
Dr Stephanie Wong – Title: “Challenging behaviours in dementia: mechanisms, assessment and interventions”. Project Summary: When most people hear about dementia, memory loss is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, memory impairment is only one symptom of dementia. Other symptoms, such as apathy, eating disturbances, socially inappropriate behaviour and poor financial judgment, are also common. These behavioural symptoms account for high levels of carer burden, greater functional decline and reduced quality of life. The neurobiological mechanisms of these symptoms are not well understood, and existing treatments show limited efficacy. My research program will examine how maladaptive reward processing mechanisms give rise to diverse behavioural symptoms in dementia, while also developing and implementing new assessment and intervention approaches in patients and carers. This research will enhance knowledge and health outcomes in the therapeutic management of behavioural symptoms in dementia and will be applicable to challenging behaviours arising from other forms of brain injury and neurodegeneration. In the absence of disease-modifying treatments or cures, such advances are urgently needed to improve the prognosis and quality of life of people living with dementia.

Psychology Colloquium: Grant winners’ celebration plus laureate talk by Prof Louise Sharpe (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2021-03-05 15:00 - 16:00
Please join us this Friday 5 March for a special two-part colloquium:
A celebration of the School’s ARC, NHMRC and MRFF grant winners. Join us in congratulating our colleagues who were awarded significant research funding in 2020.
The first in our series of laureate talks given by grant winners – Prof Louise Sharpe, who, with co-investigators A/Prof Ben Colagiuri, Dr Jemma Todd and A/Prof Hamish MacDougall, was awarded an ARC Discovery Project.
Grant title: To focus on pain or not to focus: WHEN is the question
Grant summary: The experience of pain is a ubiquitous experience, and persistent pain is common and causes enormous personal and societal burden. Anyone who has been in severe pain will understand that pain captures attention, but the role that attention plays in increasing pain perception is poorly understood. This project will test a new conceptual model that calls for a change in the paradigm underlying research into attention and pain. We will use novel experimental tasks in virtual reality environments to address these important gaps in our knowledge. The project will significantly advance our fundamental understanding of the role of attention in pain perception and pave the way for translational research to reduce the substantial burden pain causes.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Anne Swinbourne (College of Healthcare Sciences – James Cook University)
2020-11-20 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Anne SwinbourneCollege of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University
Title: The interface of psychology, natural hazards and extreme events
Abstract: The CSIRO/BoM State of the Climate 2020 report delivers an expected message: Australia is undergoing, and will continue to experience, long-term climate change. This will interact negatively with Australia’s preexisting vulnerability to extreme weather events and change the country’s natural hazard risk profile. As compared to the last 50 years, fire seasons are longer, tropical cyclones are less frequent but more intense, and coastal communities are more often experiencing impacts due to inundation and erosion. The report states that coordinated, scientifically informed economic, social and environmental decision-making by governments, industries and communities is required to meet future challenges.
All of the recommendations in the report, and in similar reports, emphasise the importance of human behaviour in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. Human behaviour is the remit of psychology. However, stereotypically, psychology professionals are portrayed as working at the level of the individual or, at most, the community. It is therefore reasonable to ask how psychology and psychologists can contribute to, and interface with, higher-level bodies making decisions about how to manage extreme events and natural hazards. This colloquium will present a snapshot of Australia’s disaster management landscape, examine current models of disaster management and consider the role of the psychology professional within these frameworks.
*And yes, there will be data.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Vince Polito (Department of Cognitive Science – Macquarie University)
2020-11-13 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Vince PolitoDepartment of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University
Title: Placebo or Panacea? Experiences and Beliefs of People who Microdose Psychedelics
Abstract: Psychedelics are making their way back into mainstream science. High profile research teams are publishing findings in top journals showing that psychedelics can be used to better understand cognition, perception, neurobiology, psychopathology and wellbeing. At the same time there is increasing interest and acceptance of these substances amongst the general public.
One topic that has emerged strongly into popular culture is the phenomenon of “microdosing” – taking extremely low doses of a psychedelic substance, most typically LSD or psilocybin. A microdose can be 1/10th or less of a recreational dose and users will often microdose regularly every 3 or 4 days over an extended period of time. Due to the very low dose, microdosers do not usually report the dramatic cognitive and perceptual changes that typically characterise psychedelic experiences, rather immediate effects are reported to be very subtle and sometimes barely noticeable. Despite this microdosers make a wide variety of claims for the benefits of microdosing, including improved vitality, positive mood, increased attention and greater creativity. Although microdosing has exploded in popularity in recent years, there has been very little empirical research on this topic and the accuracy of these claims has not been tested.
Our team conducted the first systematic observational study of the effects of microdosing in healthy participants. Over a period of six weeks, 63 regular microdosers provided baseline, daily, and post-study ratings of a broad range of psychological and wellbeing measures. I’ll report what did and did not change for this group, talk about the role of placebo in the use of psychedelics, and try to answer the question of what really happens when people microdose.

Psychology Colloquium: Dr Robert Heirene (School of Psychology – University of Sydney)
2020-11-06 15:00 - 16:00
Dr Robert HeireneGambling Treatment & Research Clinic, Brain & Mind Centre & School of Psychology, University of Sydney
Title: How can we minimise the harms associated with online gambling? Insights from the account data of 40,000 gamblers and a randomised control trial of message prompts
Abstract: Gambling online presents several unique risks to consumers including constant availability, high speed and uninterrupted play, and the ability to gamble in private. Despite these risks, online gamblers also have access to a number of novel features that can facilitate self-directed harm-minimisation efforts unavailable to customers of land-based gambling venues—they can track their expenditure through betting statements, set limits on deposits or losses, and and temporarily deactivate their accounts for 24 hours or more. However, little is known about the number of people who actually use these tools and their efficacy as harm reduction strategies. We aimed to address these gaps in understanding in two studies. In the first, and we collected account data for almost 40,000 customers from six online gambling sites in Australia to understand the number and characteristics of people using these responsible gambling tools. In the second, we carried out a large, naturalistic randomised controlled trial of message prompts encouraging the uptake of a limit setting tool and evaluated the effects of these limits on indicators of risky gambling. Findings from both studies increase the understanding of how we can encourage positive behaviour change and reduce harm in the online gambling context.
