6. Exploring the Relationship Between Paranoia, Other Beliefs and Common Psychological Factors

Lei Yingyixue, Psychology, 1-2pm

Paranoia involves mistrust, suspiciousness, and beliefs of persecution, existing on a spectrum with ordinary mistrust. While extreme paranoia is often classified as delusional, its distinction from other strong beliefs, such as conspiracy theories or religious beliefs, remains unclear. This research examines the common psychological factors underlying these beliefs, focusing on two key areas: intolerance of uncertainty (IoU), testimonial competence. IoU may contribute to both paranoia and strong beliefs by influencing how individuals cope with ambiguity. Additionally, paranoia differs from other beliefs in its isolation, as paranoid individuals often struggle to share or validate their beliefs with others. This may be due to impaired testimonial competence, which affects their ability to engage in belief-sharing, which hinder their understanding of others' perspectives. Together, these cognitive factors may play a crucial role in the development and persistence of paranoia. 

14. COMPOSIT-B: COMparative Phenomenology Of Spiritual and Interpersonal Threat Beliefs

Kirsten Brown, Psychology, 1-2pm

Threat beliefs encompass persecutory delusions observed in clinical populations, as well as beliefs held by the general population, such as persecutory supernatural beings. Prior research has predominantly focused on the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying persecutory delusions, yet their overlap with other forms of threat beliefs and the role of the social environment in shaping these experiences remains underexplored. This study aims to: i) examine the phenomenological similarities and differences between perceived threats from supernatural beings (e.g., demons) and human beings, and ii) explore the extent to which the socio-cultural context mediates meaning-making and attributions of persecutory intent. Fieldwork and qualitative interviews (n=20) are being conducted with participants from an Evangelical church who report experiences of demonic attack, and individuals from peer support groups for paranoia, utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to analyse data. 

45. How skin mechanics affects the activation of Meissner corpuscles in the skin on the hand and foot

James Hall, Psychology, 2-3pm

To fully understand touch, we have to understand how receptors in the skin are activated and how this information is then processed by the brain. In understanding how receptors are mechanically activated we find that the structure of the skin plays a major role in our ability to feel things correctly. In this research I am looking at the skin of the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot, known as glabrous skin, and how the distinctive ridged structure of this skin impacts the mechanical activation of receptors; specifically Meissner corpuscles, which are receptors found just below the surface of the skin. Previous evidence has disagreed on the skin mechanics which activate Meissner corpuscles. By using optical coherence tomography (OCT), an imaging technique which can distinguish layers of the skin, we show the exact deformation patterns of the skin when pressure is applied to the surface.

52. ADHD and ASD are differentially affected by anxiety but this is due to different underlying causes

Vesko Varbanov, Psychology, 2-3pm

People with ADHD and autism often experience sensory difficulties, but the role of anxiety in these challenges is unclear. This study examined how ADHD and autism traits relate to visual processing in individuals without a formal diagnosis.

Results showed that both conditions are linked to sensory difficulties. However, anxiety—particularly panic and generalized anxiety—specifically influenced sensory processing in those with ADHD traits, but not autism traits. This suggests that while ADHD and autism share sensory challenges, they are not identical, as co-occurring conditions like anxiety affect them differently. These findings highlight the importance of considering comorbidities when studying sensory processing in neurodevelopmental conditions. 

58. Weight Stigma and Engagement in Physical Health Behaviour: Two Meta-Analyses

Ankita Sehrawat, Psychology , 2-3pm

Weight stigma—negative bias and discrimination based on body weight—has been associated with unhealthy physical health behaviors, including disordered eating, substance use, and reduced physical activity. A systematic literature search across nine databases identified 126 records that measured weight stigma and physical health behaviour , and 8 records that manipulated exposure to weight stigma and measured the subsequent effect on physical health behaviour. A multilevel meta-analysis was conducted and a small significant positive association was found between weight stigma and engagement in unhealthy behaviors (r = .1109, SE = .0123, 95% CI [.0869, .1350], p < .0001) suggesting higher stigma is associated with higher engagement in unhealthy behaviours and lower engagement in healthy behaviours. Meta-SEM indicated that stress partially mediated the relationship between weight stigma and engagement in physical health behaviour (ab* = 0.049, p < .0001).

65. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Outpatients with Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Effectiveness

Heather Duggan, Psychology, 2-3pm

Anorexia nervosa is commonly treated using outpatient cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), but its effectiveness needs to be established. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed outpatient CBT’s effectiveness for anorexia nervosa and explored potential moderators. Searches identified 30 medium-high quality studies reporting pre-to-post-treatment outcomes for at least one primary measure (weight; eating disorder symptoms). Meta-analyses (28 studies) found medium-large post-treatment effect sizes for weight (g = 0.88; 95% CI 0.71 - 1.06) and eating disorder symptoms (g = -0.70; 95% CI -0.87 - -0.53), with change starting early and increasing to follow-up. Body Mass Index moderated weight gain. Age, illness duration, and manual use moderated eating-disorder symptom change. Overall, results were optimistic for patients with anorexia nervosa treated with outpatient CBT. Clinicians can expect good outcomes using CBT regardless of patients’ starting weight, age, or illness duration. 

73. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Relationships Between Different Pro-Environmental Behaviours

Anda-Bianca Ciocirlan, Psychology, 2-3pm

The aim of the current study was to systematically review the literature for quantitative evidence that explores the relationship between different pro-environmental behaviours. We searched three databases, Scopus, PsycInfo, and GreenFILE, conducted forward and backward citation searches, and contacted experts. We found 26 studies suitable for inclusion, which provided a total of 1,888 correlations between different sustainable behaviours. We examined the correlations both within specific domains and between broader domains. Random-effects meta-analysis found a small overall effect size (r = 0.16, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = [0.08, 0.24]). Associations were observed both between behaviours from distinct domains of pro-environmental behaviour (e.g., energy conservation and water conservation), and within the same domain (e.g., energy conservation behaviours such as turning off lights and using efficient appliances). 

84. Identifying behaviours targeted by activities at Chester Zoo and visitors' belief about these behaviours

Xavier McNally, Psychology, 3-4pm

It is widely accepted that human activity is causing biodiversity loss globally. Zoos are well-placed in society to build connections between their visitors and conservation issues, but what impact does a zoo visit have on their beliefs or behaviours? Research suggests that visitors are more knowledgeable and hold more favourable attitudes following a zoo visit, but uncertainty remains surrounding the factors that influence this effect.

To better understand how visiting zoos could potentially change visitors’ beliefs or behaviours towards conservation, I interviewed visitors at Chester Zoo to elicit their beliefs. Also, I described strategies being used in activities that communicate education about conservation to zoo visitors. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, I characterised zoo visitors’ responses into five “important” domains. The evidence gained was used to inform the design of a questionnaire which I implemented in subsequent studies in my PhD. 

107. Gestural and Vocal Communication in Deaf and Non-Deaf Infants During Play with their Parent

Rosemary Wareham-O'Brien, Psychology, 3-4pm

Communication begins early in infancy, long before the emergence of words. During this period, infants engage in prelinguistic behaviours—such as gestures, gaze, and vocalisations—that lay the groundwork for later language development. However, early deafness can disrupt prelinguistic communication and this may put children at risk of language delays (Lederberg et al., 2013). Kelly et al. (2020) found that deaf infants of hearing parents (DOH) produced fewer prelinguistic behaviours than hearing infants of hearing parents (HOH) during parent-infant interactions. However the study sample size was small and the wider literature reports mixed findings. This study aims to conceptually replicate Kelly et al. (2020) and extend it by including children with mild hearing loss. This will illuminate the role of experience in the development of communication and language and tell us whether therapeutic support is needed in the first year (potentially before cochlear implant).