Overview

Overview

Introduction

The knowledge gained through scientific psychology has many applications in everyday life. Research in the Department addresses practical questions such as how to make user-friendly technology, why politicians avoid answering questions directly, and how to rehabilitate offenders.

Research areas

Research by members of the Department has applications in a range of practical areas.
 
Peter Bull has developed a distinctive theoretical analysis of interpersonal communication using the techniques of microanalysis. His particular domain of interest is political communication, focusing on issues such as how experienced politicians manipulate applause and answer or evade interviewers' questions.
 
Jane Clabour is a forensic psychologist whose research interests include adolescent antisocial behaviour and the outcome of poor emotion control strategies such as internalising and externalising disorders.   She is particularly interested in developing and evaluating psychometric assessment tools and is currently working with colleagues to develop measures of sexual preference to further understanding in the etiology of pedaphilia.

 
Jo Clarke is a forensic psychologist and course director for the MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology. Her research focuses on resilience in jobs where there is a high risk of exposure to potentially traumatic events, with an emphasis on both personal psychologist impact and organisational duty of care. She is also interested in the psychological processes of conditioning in total institutions (mainly prisons), and the relationships between staff and prisoners.
 
Andrew Monk researches technology-mediated communication and socially dependable design of computer-based systems for supporting independent living. For example, a recent project looked at how people with dementia could be prompted through a multi-step task such as making a cup of tea. He also carries out work to identify user requirements for technology to support recreational experiences, such as sharing photos. He is director of the Centre for Usable Home Technology (CUHTec), a collaboration between staff at the University of York in Psychology, Computer Science and Electronics conducting research of technology for the home.

People

People

Academic staff

• Peter Bull
  micro-analysis of interpersonal communication, political psychology
• Jane Clarbour
  personality, scale development, emotional behaviour
• Jo Clarke
  forensic psychology, resilience, prison psychology
  
• Cynthia McDougall
  Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology
• Rebecca Milner
  
• Andrew Monk
  human factors in the design of technology
• Paul Summers

Research students

• Hysesook Kim
• Rachel Monaghan
• Jason Morris
• Nazar Soomro
• Rana Tayara
  

Projects

Projects

Evaluation of Enhanced Thinking Skills course in prisons

This project investigated the impact on offenders in 10 English prisons of the Enhanced Thinking Skills Programme, a cognitive behaviour therapy programme designed to change offence-related thinking in order to reduce re-offending. The study used randomised controlled trial (RCT) design methodology to explore the effect of programme participation on scores on a range of psychometric tests of an intervention group and a waiting list control group. At a later stage, when reconviction rates can be assessed, further analysis will be conducted.

Publications

Publications

• Banse, R., Schmidt, A. F., & Clarbour, J. (2010). Measures of Sexual Interest in Child Sex Offenders: A Multi-Method Approach. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 37, 3, 319 - 335.
• McDougall, C., Clarbour, J., Perry, A. E., & Bowles, R. A. (2009). Evaluation of HM Prison Service Enhanced Thinking Skills Programme: Report on the Implementation of a Randomised Controlled Trial. Ministry of Justice Research Series 4/09. (March, 2009). Ministry of Justice.
• Warren, G., & Clarbour, J. (2009). The relationship between psychopathy and indirect aggression use in a non-criminal population.  Aggressive Behavior, 35, 1-14.
• Clarke, J.M. (2008). Promoting Professional Resilience. In M Calder (Ed), Contemporary Risk Assessment in Safeguarding Children, pp. 164-180. Russell House Publishing
  

Grants

Grants

• McDougall, Perry, Clarbour & Bowles (2004). Evaluation of HM Prison Service Accredited Cognitive Skills Programmes Treatment Change Project. (£540,933) Home Office. RDS/03/166.
• McDougall, Clarbour & Moore (2002) ‘The effectiveness of treatment to modify women’s emotional and offending behaviour’.  Probation Services.  (2002, £11,000).