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A growing cohort of body-obsessed gym junkies are going to dangerous lengths to gain muscle, a fitness expert reveals — even injecting medicines.

Daily meditation guided by an app may help improve memory and attention. After six weeks of using the app, adults performed better on tasks aimed at testing these attributes than a control group.

Alastair Campbell will be joined by a panel of experts and politicians to share ideas on what can be done to improve mental health service provision and the mental health outcomes of all Australians

Dr Scott Griffith will lead a project developing web and app-based interventions for young adults and gay men, as part of Deakin University's $1.34 million research grant investigating prevention and early intervention for eating disorders.

Despite reports of the demise of psychoanalysis, in some parts of the world, Freud’s psychoanalytic ideas are alive and well.

Meditation is hailed as a sure-fire solution to everything from workplace stress to trauma recovery, a way to cope with mental illness to the key to emotional balance. In the age of the selfie, wellness sells. But what are the facts, and what’s just hype?

On Monday 17 May 2019, the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences partnership with SANE Australia was launched, and is a powerful demonstration of what two organisations can achieve by working together with the goal of improving the lives of Australians affected by complex mental health issues through research and translation.

We recently spoke to alumnus, Francis Puccio, who took the time to share his experiences at the University of Melbourne and what he has been up to since completing his formal education.

Identifying the level of personal motivation to reduce household carbon emissions can predict people’s general engagement in low carbon behaviours, with the development of a Low Carbon Readiness Index (LCRI).

Two organisations have partnered together to help drive positive societal change and improve the lives of Australians with psychosocial disability.

Our next PsyBA-Approved Supervisor Master Class will be taking place on August 7. Click here to register.

We would like to congratulate Dr Meredith McKague for being the recipient of the GEM Scott Teaching Fellowship.

Gay men’s unrealistic body standards and the collective damage they inflict

Conservative commentator David Brooks mightn’t be writing for everyone, but he’s traversing important terrain

Emboldened by numerous studies, researchers believe that we should start putting warning labels on junk food, as we do with cigarettes and alcohol.

"I think, generally, there are individual differences in the extent to which people can engage with negative experiences … certain people can get distance from it and see it as entertainment." says A/Prof Brock Bastian

Grant paves the way for ground-breaking research into prevention and early intervention for eating disorders. Dr Scott Griffith joins the multi-institution project team, led by Deakin University.

Psychology researchers have flipped their focus away from narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism to explore what characteristics are present in people who are the everyday saints around us. Maybe you're one of them?

Why do we keep secrets? To whom do we tell our secrets? What happens when we reveal a secret? Our second instalment of our May Lecture Series answers these questions. Watch it in your own time via our YouTube channel.

According to the research, people were concerned that voicing their political support would create conflicts and arguments with those around them. Co-authored by Dr Katie Greenaway

Applications are invited for an enthusiastic and driven postdoctoral research fellow to join the Time in Brain and Behaviour Laboratory led by Hinze Hogendoorn at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.

Being told a secret can feel good – it means that you are worthy of being trusted with sensitive information. However, keeping other people's secrets can also take a toll on your mental health, research has revealed.

Missed our first May Lecture? Watch it in your own time via our YouTube channel.

"I had too many years of life left to get stuck in a career I wasn’t passionate about, and having found my passion, I knew I didn’t have enough years left to pursue it half-heartedly."

A PhD scholarship is available as part of a joint PhD program organised by The University of Melbourne (Australia) and the Research Centre Jülich (Germany) to work on the role of attention in predictive visual processing.

We would like to congratulate Margaret Webb and Dr Julian Simmons on being the successful recipients of our 2019 MSPS Bridging Fellowships.

The first survey into the wellbeing of judges and magistrates reveals a judiciary coping well with high stress work, but many show signs of distress and risk of burnout

Boo is the sound of discontent. But where does it come from? Libbi Gorr is joined by Rosey Billington, linguist with the Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language and A/Professor Brock Bastian, Psychologist from the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

Associate Professor Charles Kemp uses computational models to understand how different languages organise the world into categories and what that means for our communication

Luke Smillie and Nick Haslam have just edited a special issue of the Australian Journal of Psychology devoted to the study of personality in Australia. To celebrate its publication, they sat down to interview one another.

Join us at the next Mental Health PhD Program, Dialogue Session on Monday 13 May to hear from our panel of experts who will explore health services research from diverse perspectives.

It’s celebrated in emojis, party bags and board games, piled on cup cakes and meringues – and there’s even a museum dedicated to it. How did we get here? Professor Nick Haslam delves into the fascinating world of poo.

In a world fixated on how we look and what we eat, it’s not surprising that body dissatisfaction is a huge mental health issue—and it affects all body types, genders, and ages.

While it might seem like a good idea to hit the snooze button on the darker mornings this week, A/Prof Amy Jordan says it is best to stick to a regular routine to avoid any changes to your body.

As a manager, you're busy trying to build and maintain an effective team. While diversity and inclusion may be on your mind, there could be something influencing your hiring decisions without you even realising it.

Associate Lecturer from the School of Psychological Sciences, Michelle Stratemeyer, from the University of Melbourne joins Breakfast’s Tom Mann and Zoe Kounadis to discuss how challenging masculine stereotypes is good for men.

While survivor's guilt has been recognised as something associated with PTSD, Professor Kim Felmingham told Hack, the two are not always linked.

What makes political leaders take their country to war? Professor Nick Haslam weighs in with a new book review on personality and going to war among US presidents.

Congratulations to Graduate Diploma of Psychology student, Georgia Gibson who was one of the members of the winning 2019 Emory Global Health Case Competition team.

Traditional notions of masculinity affect the health and well-being of men and those around them. Here's how we can challenge these stereotypes.

We are extremely pleased to announce that in the 2018 ERA rankings just announced, our School achieved the top ranking of a 5 for the discipline code of Psychology as well as a 5 for the broad code of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences.

Master of Applied Psychology students have been sending us postcards from their placements! Students are interning with our partners, at organisations such as Ernst and Young, the Victorian Government's Behavioural Insights Unit, Vocus Group and many more.

Missed our most recent PsychTalk? Watch it in your own time via our YouTube channel.

The University of Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences is pleased to announce a new research partnership with the Anne Deveson Research Centre (ADRC), a SANE Australia initiative.

While not every child who has experienced abuse develops symptoms of mental illness, research shows childhood sexual abuse can have profoundly damaging effects on people’s long-term psychological and social functioning.

Professor Charles Abraham spent many years in the UK designing and evaluating behaviour change interventions. Now, he hopes to help improve Australia’s health by continuing his work here

Dr Van Dam believes the research on meditation is promising, but that media, and some scientists, over-hype it.

A/Prof Brock Bastian featured in BBC story discussing the psychological conflict between people's dietary preference for meat and their moral response to animal suffering.

Did you miss ABC catalyst last night? 15 Australians to take part in a revealing scientific experiment to see if practicing mindfulness can help treat conditions like chronic pain, anxiety and stress. Featuring Dr Nicholas Van Dam and Professor Kim Felmingham.

In an attempt to fast-track recovery from PTSD, Melbourne researchers have embarked on a major trial investigating a promising new drug treatment.

Dr Scott Griffiths joined News Breakfast on ABC TV to discuss the increasing trend of young males succumbing to eating disorders.

A/Prof Stefan Bode appeared on ABC Radio to discuss the effectiveness of our decision-making processes. Click here to listen to the conversation, which begins at 1:10:55 in the recording.

Many of us have had the experience of seeing or doing something and it feeling eerily familiar, but what do we know about what’s happening when we get déjà vu?

Why do people tend to do what others do, prefer what others prefer, and choose what others choose?

It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful promotion of Dr Stefan Bode and Dr Luke Smillie to the rank of Associate Professor within the School.

The Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences are delighted to congratulate Professor Kim Felmingham who is the recipient of an NHMRC Project Grant for her project titled ‘Improving outcomes from exposure therapy for PTSD with acute exercise:  Augmenting Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor as a mechanism of change?’.

New research finds that making a difficult choice between two equally desirable options can change the way our brains think about future preferences.

Professor Emeritus Henry Jackson has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Founders Medal of the Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR).

Dr Stefan Bode and Professor Rob Hester will co-supervise PhD candidates as a part of the recently launched JUMPA program.

Dr Peter Koval has been awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) and Dr Katharine Greenaway, Dr Pascal Molenberghs, Associate Professor Piers Howe and Associate Professor Charles Kemp have been awarded Discovery Projects.

The Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne was pleased to host the 2018 Australian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference.

The Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences is excited to announce that we have finalised internship placements for students undertaking the Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) for Semester 1, 2019.

Congratulations to all of our PhD graduates who participated in the annual PhD Conference held on 21 November 2018.

The secret to satisfaction: is everything we’ve been told about happiness, wrong? Missed our most recent PsychTalk? Watch it in your own time via our YouTube channel.

Recent research publications from across the School.

We are delighted to announce that Dr Scott Griffiths has been awarded the 2018 Victorian Young Tall Poppy of the Year. Dr Griffiths was chosen by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science as Victoria’s most outstanding young scientist for achievements in the area of scientific research and communication.

Our monthly newsletter is a great resource for keeping up to date on all of the latest news, events and developments within the School and the wider psychology profession.

In the first study of its kind in Australia, a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Melbourne and University of Montreal aims to investigate the biological basis of music and singing abilities.

Congratulations go out to Dr Meredith McKague who received the MDHS Award for Sustained Excellence in Learning and Teaching recognising her initiative ‘Engaging Curricula, and Assessment of Key Learning Outcomes in Large Undergraduate Psychology Classes’.

Psych alumna Suellen Peak is a counsellor who uses positive psych techniques to support people who need a bit of help from science to conceive, and has helped hundreds of would-be parents.

Recent research publications from across the School.

We were overwhelmed with support at the launch of PsychTalks this week. Thank you to our incredible community and partners.

We recently sat down with A/Prof Charles Kemp, who has rejoined the School after a long period in the USA.

Madelyne Hudson-Buhagiar is the 2018 recipient of the APS Bendi Lango bursary. She is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up off country on Bundjalung land where she was taught by her family and community to be a strong Aboriginal woman.

The University of Melbourne is proud to host the 2018 ACNS conference from 22nd–25th November 2018 at Parkville Campus

Recent research publications from across the School.

Brock Bastian explores the comedy of Hannah Gadsby and how she has shone a light on the dark side of Australians’ fondness for self-deprecation.

This discussion will explore the psychology behind perfection and body image, and will delve into disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder, which involves obsessing about a perceived or imagined problem with one’s appearance. We will take a look at the measures young people take to perfect their bodies, from Brazilian waxing to labiaplasty, through to body building and anabolic steroid use.

The School welcomes Professor Simon Dennis and Associate Professor Amy Perfors, as the inaugural Director and Deputy Director of our new Complex Human Data Research Hub.

What's the art behind a supermarket playlist? We explore how music influences our behaviour in gyms, shops and pubs and we put it to the test in a French vs Italian wine experiment.

Vanessa Hughes explores the intersection of music and science. In this interview she talks to Professor Sarah Wilson about the impacts of music on the brain.

It took a winding career path and 20 years for Dr Scott McDonald to settle on his current focus in neuropsychology, and he is relishing the opportunity to work with clients face-to-face.

Researchers are helping explain how the human brain can accurately predict where a fast-moving object will end up. And why some are better at it than others

Professor Fathali M. Moghaddam recently joined us for a talk on mutual radicalisation as part of the MSPS Colloquium Series. You can listen to the full recording here.

Singing in the shower makes your voice sound great, but is it also good for your mental health? ABC Classics recently sat down with Professor Sarah Wilson to discuss the range of neuro-protective benefits singing has to offer.

With the help of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Prize, Carra Simpson hopes to teach students to cultivate their own passions, even if they, like herself, do not end up following the most traditional pathway towards their future careers.

The Mindful, Centre for Training and Research in Developmental Health are seeking volunteers who are interested in the emotional life of families and want to know more about parenting and child emotion regulation.

In this year's Alice Barber Lecture Professor Bernhard Baune will introduce the concept of personalised psychiatry and how it puts the individual first in both research and clinical practice.

Associate Professor Brock Bastian examines our tendency to blame an individual's character for bad outcomes while downplaying the ethical consequences of our actions.

Join us on Monday 16 July as PhD Candidate Kari Gibson presents her thesis "The relationship between climate change and psychological distress: A case study from Tuvalu."

The School of Psychological Sciences is deeply saddened to report the passing of Emeritus Professor Alex Wearing on June 18.

Missed the May Lecture Series? Watch the entire series online in your own time via our YouTube channel.

Recent research publications from across the School.

A new PhD scholarship is being offered by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute in partnership with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). It will examine the impact of values-based conversations in positively changing attitudes towards people seeking asylum.

Professor Geoffrey Loftus of the University of Washington presented in the MSPS Colloquium Series on his fascinating work as an expert witness in legal cases.

Recent research publications from across the School.

We are delighted to announce that long-time member of the School, Professor Margot Prior, has just won the Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR).

The School congratulates PhD Candidate Felix Singleton Thorn on obtaining an Open Science Foundation Scholar-in-Residence.

Recent research publications from across the School.

On April the 27th the new Mental Health PhD program was successfully launched. Staff and students from a wide range of backgrounds but all interested in Mental Health attended the launch with great numbers. There were talks by the three host units of the program; The Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences; The Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health; and The Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School as well as a presentation of the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education and the website of the program became live.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Dr Stefan Bode and Professor Robert Hester recently sat down with Impact Publication to discuss their roles in an initiative that sets out to investigate decision making, and which may assist in overcoming major health and policy challenges.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Recent research publications from across the School.

It is with immense sadness that we send the news of the passing of Dr Kevin Walsh (AO BA MBBS MSc FBPsS) on Monday 6th December 2017.

Applications for the Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) are now open. The MAP will begin in Semester 1 of 2018 and is aimed at students with an undergraduate degree in Psychology who want to pursue careers in social/market research, consumer behaviour, consulting, and behaviour change.

Dr Katharine (Katie) Greenaway joined the School earlier in the year as a Lecturer and DECRA research fellow. We sat down to talk with her about her life and work.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Professor Sarah Wilson recently appeared on the ABC's Catalyst. Watch the episode online in your own time via the ABC website.

Missed the recent Fourth Year / Master of Applied Psychology Information Session? Watch it online in your own time via our YouTube channel.

Missed the recent Postgraduate Information Session? Watch it online in your own time via our YouTube channel.

Recent research publications from across the School.

The School is delighted to announce a new interdisciplinary PhD Program in Mental Health, which will have its first intake in 2018.

The Decision Neuroscience Lab has recently conducted a study as part of the Science Gallery exhibition “Blood – attract and repel”.

The School is delighted to announce a new masters program that will commence in early 2018.

Professorial Fellow Sam Gosling has been honoured with the 2017 Diener Award in Personality Psychology by the Society of Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP).

Recent research publications from across the School.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Dr Scott Griffiths has been successful in obtaining a Dyason Fellowship to support a visit to the School by Dr Stuart Murray, a noted international expert in the study of eating disorders. Dr Murray will provide consultation and training to students on the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of muscle dysmorphia and anabolic steroid dependence among males.

The School recently appointed two research fellows to boost research strength in its new Decision Science hub. We are delighted to welcome Dr Hinze Hogendoorn from the Netherlands and Dr Nicholas Van Dam from the USA, both of whom commenced work in July. Newsletter interviewed both of these new appointments to find out what makes them tick.

The School of Psychological Sciences is delighted to announce that A/Prof Piers Howe, A/Prof Jennifer Boldero, Dr Ilona McNeil and Prof John Handmer (RMIT), as part of the Behavioural Change Group, have won a competitive renewal of their Emergency Management Victoria grant for $105,000 for the 2017-2018 period.

For this month’s newsletter, we interviewed four academic staff members who hold teaching-focused positions: Drs Abi Brooker, Lisa Grech, Chris Groot and Margaret Osborne. Read on to learn about their diverse interests and the many facets of their work in the School

Valerie Yap is a senior MPsych/PhD (clinical neuro) candidate supervised by Profs Sarah Wilson, Alan connelly and Ingrid Scheffer (Florey).

Drs Lydia Brown and Kelly Trezise have commenced work as the School’s new Bridging Fellows. The Bridging Fellowship scheme supports researchers who have recently completed their PhDs for one year of intensive postdoctoral research in collaboration with an academic member of the School. We spoke to Lydia and Kelly about their work.

Have your say on the Faculty's Green Paper Towards 2027, which marks the final stage before we present our new Strategic Plan.

The inaugural AAI Network Symposium, which was held at the Melbourne Brain Centre on May 1st, was a resounding success.

Missed the recent May public lecture? Watch it online in your own time via our YouTube channel.

Missed the recent public lecture? Watch it online in your own time via our YouTube channel.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Congratulations to Dr Piers Howe for being awarded a grant to conduct research in to autonomous systems.

Dr Brock Bastian was recently featured on a GOMA Talks panel to discuss the thought-proving question: can self-indulgence be good for us? The full video transcript is available online.

Dr J Anderson was featured on ABC radio about the implications of a recently developed experimental technique that provides some capacity for individuals with locked-in syndrome to communicate.

Congratulations are due to Virginia Ping Lie, Daniel Bennet, and Bowen John Fung.

It is well known that economic inequality is rising. In most industrialised nations the distribution of wealth and income is becoming increasingly concentrated. In the United States, the top 10% of earners make more than nine times as much on average as the remainder, and in Australia the ratio approaches five.

We are seeking 4-5 volunteers who are interested in the emotional life of families and who want to know more about attachment, parenting and child emotion regulation. The volunteer roles would suit students studying Psychology/Social-Work/Health Science or a related field.

Associate Professor Jeanette Lawrence has been at the forefront of psychological research with refugee populations and has several ongoing projects.

Dr Peter Koval joined the School in March as a Lecturer. We sat down with him to ask about his past, present and future.

Friday 3rd March marked the final day of Professor Garry Robins’ appointment within the School of Psychological Sciences. Garry has been associated with the School for well over twenty years and during that time he has made distinguished contributions to it as well as to the field of social network analysis.

Congratulations are due to Professor Yoshi Kashima for being asked to serve as Program Chair for the 2019 International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS) that will be held in Vienna. The School supports Yoshi in this opportunity and wish him the very best as he serves in this significant role.

Recent research publications from across the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences.

Comparing generations is a reliable way to provoke an argument. Members of one generation are apt to criticise the failings of others and be blind to their own. As George Orwell wrote: “Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it”.

So you’re a bad singer. It’s likely you are just that. But if you do have amusia – tone deafness – it won’t stop you enjoying music.

Get to know more about Tegan Nuss and Nuwan Leitan, recipients of the 2017 Dean's Honours List award.

Dr Scott Griffiths joined the School earlier this year as an NHMRC research fellow. We sat down with him and asked him about his history, his research and his plans for the next few years.

The Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS) is looking for volunteers to assist with data collection for half a day per week for 3-6 months.

This PhD project is supported by the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Optimising Early Interventions for Young People with Emerging Mood Disorders (Optymise).

The Take C.A.Re Project (Concussion Assessment and Recovery Research) is looking for volunteers for recruiting study participants.

Another academic year has arrived and whether you’re a new or returning student, there is a place for you in the university’s student-run Psychology Association. Find out what is coming up for MUPA in 2017.

Freud’s “anal character” theory may appear to have disappeared, but it’s really just been recycled.

Associate Professor Amy Perfors appointed Deputy Director of the Complex Human Data Hub

Professor Cordelia Fine has just published 'Testosterone Rex: Unmaking the myths of our gendered minds'

The second edition of Nick Haslam's personality textbook has just been released, with Luke Smillie added as a co-author.

Friday February 24 marks the end of an era as it is Associate Professor Carol Hulbert’s last day before retiring. We thank Carol for her many years of dedicated service to clinical teaching, supervision, and to the running of the Clinical Psychology program.

This year’s winners of the School’s Best Speaker Awards were overseen by GRiPS and selected by a panel of senior staff in the School

Insects often scare or disgust us. But a small proportion of people don’t just experience normal fear. They live with the terrifying and unshakeable belief that insects have invaded their body despite medical evidence suggesting otherwise. This is called a delusion of infestation, or delusional infestation.

Your formal welcome to the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Find out all the information you need to know for a smooth transition to the Graduate studies and meet other students and teaching staff.

Our monthly newsletter is a great resource for keeping up to date on all of the latest news, events and developments within the School and the wider psychology profession.

It is important to stay hydrated when you’re at work, out and about or at home. Water consumption amounts may vary for each individual.

The GRiPS commitee is pleased to host the PhD conference presentation night for 2017! Please join your fellow PhD colleagues for a drink to celebrate the conclusion of the conference, on Friday the 17th of February at 5:15pm, at The Clyde.

AIDR is pleased to present, Dr Patricia Watson, who will deliver two presentations on psychosocial perspectives and practice supporting individual recovery after traumatic events.

Emotion embodies motion. When we experience emotions were are agitated and stirred, transported and animated. Motion is at the root of the word itself: emotion comes from the Latin, meaning to move out or away.

These are positions for both undergraduate and post graduate students that will provide valuable research experience, and opportunities for skill development.

With the Trump presidency we may be entering a golden age of insult and name-calling. Trump is exercising leadership in this regard with about 300 people, places and things feeling his sting.

Recent research publications from across the School.

Congratulations to Henry Jackson who together with colleagues from Orygen has been awarded a 5 year NH&MRC

Prerequisite is a completion of a degree in social work, psychology, criminology, public health, youth work, disability or similar.

"Look before you cook" and other safety tips to help you enjoy a BBQ with family and friends.

In a world with a bewildering mix of fact and fiction, and in which social and mainstream media only add to the confusion, how do we separate out false or dubious claims from the well-founded and evidence-based?

Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health is hosting a series of one and two-day workshops on a range of evidence-based treatments and approaches to providing support.

From 1st January 2017, Prof Sarah Wilson will assume the role of Head of School, passed on from Prof Nick Haslam who has served the School faithfully for the past three years.

The School is delighted to announce the winners of the 2016 MSPS Teaching Excellence Awards.

Grants awarded to J Anderson, Brock Bastian, Olivia Carter and Philip Smith

Helpful tips on how to make the most of your time here at Melbourne

Using social media can have benefits for your mental health, but only if you use it in the right way