Research Seminar - Visiting Speaker Michael Papasavva (Birkbeck) 1st November 2018, 12-1pm

*** Everyone Welcome! No need to book in advance*** 

Date: Thursday 1^st November 2018
Time: 12:00-13:00 
Room: Building 9 BG09A

Michael Papasavva (Birkbeck, University of London) 

 

Abstract:

Humans are an incredibly gregarious species that rely on large interpersonal social networks. Faces are our most readily available social cue and can reveal a wealth of identity-relevant information. The ability to extract identity information from the face region is considered a normal and perhaps innate ability in the vast majority of individuals. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that there are a varying range of abilities within the normal (typically developing) population. Here, we investigate two potential mechanisms that drive individual differences in face identity recognition. Through a series of experiments, we analysed the effects of social reward and unconscious bias on face recognition performance. Inherent social motivation has been hypothesised to drive face expertise through increased experience. In two large scale community studies, based at the London Science Museum, we utilised behavioural economics paradigms to assess whether better processors find faces more rewarding than worse processors. In a second series of experiments we tackled the possible effect of low-level perceptual biases on superior face expertise. We employed a particularly powerful variant of binocular rivalry called Continuous Flash Suppression (CFS) to investigate if unconsciously perceived faces break into conscious awareness faster in better face processors.

Biography:

I am a Ph.D candidate at Birkbeck College, University of London. My research investigates various drivers of individual differences in typical human identity and emotion face processing. I utilise, Event Related Potential (ERP), Continuous Flash Suppression (CFS) and behavioural economic paradigms to investigate this area.

Psychology Department Research Seminar Series - Autumn Term 2018

Research Seminar - Teresa D'Oliviera (Kings College London) 4th October 2018, 12-1pm

*** Everyone Welcome! No need to book in advance*** 

Date: Thursday 4^th October 2018
Time: 12:00-13:00 
Room: Building 9 BG09A

Dr Teresa D’Oliviera (Kings College London) 
 

Abstract:

The presentation starts by describing the state of the art in the study of circadian stress and fatigue and highlights the relevance of combining psychological, behavioural and physiological markers in workplace interventions. It is proposed that the integration of multidisciplinary approaches and the agreement regarding the markers to be adopted are instrumental to a movement from research and practice emphasizing tertiary perspectives to the development of initiatives focusing on prevention and promotion of recovery.

The presentation reports on preliminary results of a project designed to explore the repercussions of circadian stress on cabin crew both from short haul (SH) and long haul (LH) flight focusing on:

1. The differences between fatigue levels before and at the end of a regular working day (i.e., neuroendocrine and psychological markers)
2. The differences between different fight operations (i.e., LH and SH crews with neuroendocrine and psychological markers).

The preliminary results of the project are discussed and the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach to recovery management and circadian stress is highlighted.

Biography:

I am an Organisational Psychologist with a First-class degree (BSc + MSc) degree in Psychology, a MSc in Organisational Behaviour and a PhD in Applied Psychology.

My professional activities started as a Human Resources Specialist in banking services and later as an academic in the domain of work an organisational psychology.

My primary research objectives are directed towards understanding the interface between work and working conditions and the improvement of individual well-being, health and performance. Recent activities have considered the potential contributions from biological psychology and behavioural medicine and the development of organisational neurosciences. I am particularly interested in exploring the potential combinations of physiological markers (e.g., neuroendocrine and immune responses, sleep data) with a psychological approach (e.g., fatigue, task complexity, task autonomy) and organisational data (e.g., work schedules, teamwork) to workplace results and individual health and well-being.

Current research activities focus on occupational stress, fatigue and health (i.e., circadian stress, sleep deprivation and recovery, job characteristics and sleep hygiene) and the development of interventions that help promote physical and psychological well-being and health.