Morgan Galea: Where behaviour meets real-world decisions

From risk to psychology

Morgan came to psychology after working in professional roles focused on behavioural and operational risk, where high-pressure decisions had very real consequences. That experience sparked a deeper interest in what drives behaviour at an individual level in high-pressure situations.

During his Graduate Diploma in Psychology at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, this curiosity developed into a focused interest in how neurological and psychological processes influence decision‑making. Areas such as psychopathology and applied psychology helped frame those questions in practical terms, showing how evidence‑based frameworks can be used to support behaviour change.

One concept that stood out was the Extended Parallel Process Model, which highlights the balance between perceived threat and clear, achievable action. Morgan became interested in how easily behaviour change efforts can fail when that balance is missing.

Without that balance, responses tend to shift toward avoidance rather than behaviour change.

Seeing this framework applied in real‑world campaigns supported by the University reinforced how powerful psychology can be when theory and practice align.

Learning psychology in practice

A defining part of Morgan’s studies was the opportunity to design and run a research project from start to finish through Advanced Psychological Theory and Practice. The subject brought together skills built across earlier coursework, from shaping research questions to analysing results and communicating findings through formal reports and presentations.

“Receiving the Advanced Psychological Theory and Practice Prize was a meaningful recognition of the effort and development behind my research project.”

Morgan returned to the University of Melbourne after completing an undergraduate degree in Commerce, drawn both by familiarity with the academic environment and the chance to learn from lecturers actively shaping the field through research and applied work. That exposure helped keep psychology grounded in real‑world problems, particularly in areas such as behaviour change and clinical practice.

Connecting people, decisions and systems

Looking ahead, Morgan is interested in the gap between how systems are designed to work and how people actually behave within them.

“In practice that often looks like someone making a poor decision under pressure, in a system that enables it.”

Drawing on his background in risk consulting, Morgan hopes to work on both sides of that gap, helping individuals better understand their decision‑making while supporting organisations to design systems that promote stronger outcomes for both performance and wellbeing.

This perspective is also shaping Morgan’s current thesis research, which examines how people respond to corporate wrongdoing and the effectiveness of different types of apologies. The work explores how small changes in messaging can influence trust, forgiveness, and reactions such as avoidance or punishment, highlighting the role psychology can play in public communication and organisational accountability.

Why these awards matter

The awards Morgan has received carry personal significance: they reflect a deliberate decision to step away from an established career path and return to study without knowing exactly where it would lead.

What initially felt uncertain has turned into clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of momentum.

Together, these experiences reflect a growing commitment to understanding how people think, make decisions, and respond under pressure. They also highlight how psychology can help support better outcomes for individuals and the systems around them.