Drug misuse is a major health issue with wide-ranging economic and social implications. In Australia, tobacco use is responsible for 9% of the nation’s disease burden, while alcohol and illicit drug use account for 5.1% and 1.8% respectively (AIHW, 2016). The total economic and social cost of these drugs is estimated at more than $55 billion per annum (AIHW, 2011). Nonetheless, high proportions of Australians 14 years or older report recent (preceding 12 months) drug use: 14.9% are current smokers, 77.5% indicate consuming alcohol, and 15.6% have used illicit drugs (AIHW, 2017). While relatively few of these individuals will transition to dependent use, the factors influencing this transition, as well as those that may have a mitigating impact, remain unclear. Numerous studies have consistently reported the association between various cognitive factors and dependent drug use. For instance, compared to healthy controls, individuals dependent on various substances exhibit difficulties on tasks that assess executive function, particularly those related to decision-making and inhibitory control (Bickel et al., 2012; MacKillop et al., 2011; Smith et al., 2014; Verdejo-García et al., 2008). Alcohol and substance dependent individuals additionally show significant impairments across tasks that assess various types of learning and memory (Lundqvist, 2005; Potvin et al., 2014; Stavro et al., 2013). At the neural level, attention is focused on the interplay between bottom-up dopamine-mediated reward circuitry, and top-down prefrontal regions involved in self-control (Goldstein & Volkow, 2011; Verdejo-García et al., 2006). Substance dependent individuals show dysfunction across both systems (Goldstein & Volkow, 2011; Verdejo-García et al., 2006; Verdejo-García & Bechara, 2009). The cognitive deficits evident among substance dependent individuals are considered both a cause and consequence of drug use (De Wit, 2009). Longitudinal studies involving both children and adolescents have shown how executive function performance in early life predicts illicit drug use and the onset of problematic alcohol consumption, independent of other risk factors (Audrain-McGovern et al., 2009; Fernie et al., 2013; Kollins, 2003; Nigg et al., 2006; Verdejo-García et al., 2008). At the same time, drug taking appears to exacerbate cognitive issues related to memory, learning and executive function (Colzato et al., 2007; De Wit, 2009; Fillmore & Rush, 2002; Mendez et al., 2010; Verdejo-García et al., 2008). Given these findings, studies concerned with identifying non-dependent drug users at risk of transitioning to dependency often focus on intake patterns and their relationship to (usually single) assessments of executive function, memory and learning; such studies tend, however, to yield inconsistent results (Fernie et al., 2010; Field et al., 2007; Henges & Marczinski, 2012; MacKillop et al., 2011; Moreno et al., 2012; Murphy & Garavan, 2011; Poulton et al., 2016; Rossiter et al., 2012; Smith & Mattick, 2013). This may be due to a number of factors. For instance, intake is frequently recorded using retrospective summary surveys, which can underestimate consumption and are limited in their ability to capture within- person variability and change over time (Piasecki et al., 2007; Poulton et al., 2018; Runyan et al., 2013). At the sub-clinical level, it is possible variability of intake is linked to performance – or, indeed, variability of performance – on cognitive tasks. To investigate this proposition, we are utilising mobile-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) – which involves using a smartphone app to collect data repeatedly, in close proximity to the event, and in the natural environment (Shiffman, 2009; Trull & Ebner-Priemer, 2013) – to assess both intake and cognition. We hope this enables a more detailed exploration of the in-the-moment cognitive antecedents and consequences of intake behaviour. EMA techniques additionally provide a unique opportunity to assess how individualized feedback about intake and cognition delivered in real-time might alter the trajectory of licit and illicit drug use over time. Early brief interventions have already been identified as a potentially effective means of curbing intake among non-dependent drug users, particularly when they are individualized, though a number of difficulties have been noted (Bernstein et al., 2009; Das et al., 2016; Riper et al., 2009; Tait & Hulse, 2003). Namely, there are limited professionals to deliver these interventions; it can be difficult contacting users; and, implementation and delivery costs can be high (Riper et al., 2009). Interventions delivered via smartphone apps potentially address these limitations.

This is an ongoing study that aims to investigate whether individual differences in cognitive function are related to licit and illicit drug use in the general population. Specifically, we seek to assess if cognitive factors – related to memory, learning, and executive function – are associated with particular patterns of drug use, including occasional, social and binge intake behaviours. We additionally hope to determine if these cognitive factors can predict changes in drug use over time and if feedback about cognition and/or intake precipitates reduced drug-taking behaviour. The current study aimed to assess whether personalised impulsivity feedback would augment the benefit of alcohol-related feedback. It also aimed to validate whether differences in impulsivity can be observed between groups of binge and non-binge drinkers.

Participants included 169 first-year university students at Time 1. Of these, 146 completed all baseline measures and were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: no feedback, alcohol use feedback only, and impulsivity combined with alcohol use feedback. At Time 2, 103 participants completed all follow-up measures (8 weeks post-intervention).

Participants were requested to take part in two assessments 8 weeks apart. They were recruited remotely. At the commencement of each assessment period, participants were required to complete online baseline (Time 1) or subsequent (Time 2) surveys. They were then required to complete a cognitive stop-signal task online. Feedback condition participants were provided with feedback about their alcohol intake and/or cognition at the conclusion of each assessment period. Control condition participants received no feedback about their intake or cognition.

This is an ongoing study. Key variables of interest are binge drinking, total alcohol consumption, choice impulsivity, and response inhibition. Choice impulsivity is indexed by the Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) overall k-score; higher scores are indicative of greater impulsive decision making. Response inhibition is indexed by stop-signal reaction time, which is derived from Stop-Signal Task (SST) data. Longer stop signal reaction times are indicative of reduced response inhibition. Prior to primary hypothesis testing, the three groups will be compared on key demographic, alcohol use, and impulsivity variables measured at Time 1. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be conducted to test the groups are matched on continuous variables, with a chi-square test of independence used for gender. The primary hypotheses will be tested using a repeated measures ANOVA for each alcohol use variable, with three feedback conditions (No Feedback, Alcohol Feedback, and Alcohol + Impulsivity Feedback) and two time periods (Time 1 and Time 2). Effect sizes will be computed using partial eta squared and interpreted according to Cohen's guidelines: .01 = small, .06 = moderate, and .14 = large effect (Cohen, 1988).

We expect binge drinking and total alcohol consumption to be reduced at Time 2 across all groups as recording alcohol consumption has been found to reduce alcohol intake over time. We expect participants in the Alcohol Feedback group to have reduced drinking to a greater extent than those in the No Feedback group, and those in the Alcohol + Impulsivity Feedback group to have reduced drinking to a greater extent than those in any other group. Data from S1 will be analysed and form part of 4th year theses in 2022. Data will continue to be collected in S2 with a view to publishing results early in 2023.

This research is about whether positive emotion valence is unidimensional or multidimensional. Some emotional theories, such as the component process model (Shuman et al., 2013), propose that there are multiple kinds of valence (i.e., multidimensional), and as possibilities the authors include what they term microvalences of pleasantness/beauty, goal conduciveness, power, self-congruence, moral goodness, novelty, and certainty. However, most theories, such as the circumplex model, conceptualise valence as being one single kind of phenomenon (i.e., unidimensional; Shuman et al., 2013).

This research is aiming to learn two things. Firstly, we want to better understand which of the positive emotions, if any, should be treated as distinct emotions, as opposed to lumping all positive emotions into the one umbrella term: Happiness. Secondly, we want to understand whether the positive quality (referred to in the literature as positive valence) of different positive emotions is the same. For example, is the positive quality that makes the emotion of Love a positive thing to experience, the same positive quality that makes the emotion of Awe a positive thing to experience?

400 signed up, 342 completed

Online Qualtrics Survey

Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a type of exploratory factor analysis, will be applied to reduce dimensionality, group question types that are most interrelated, and identify underlying unobserved factors that explain the variance and covariance between the reported phenomenal properties. The number of factors used will be determined by calculating eigenvalues. Regarding data visualisation, each emotion’s distribution along the different factors will be mapped using t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t-SNE), which represents high-dimensional information in two-dimensional space while preserving data structure (Balamurali, 2020). Additionally, Hierarchical Clustering, a type of exploratory data analysis, will be used to group sets of similar emotions and reported phenomenal properties into clusters, and to identify intra-class and inter-class similarities.

It is predicted that different subcategories of positive emotion will cluster in different ways. It is firther predicted that the degree of correlation between variables of pleasantness, meaningfulnes, preference, and ranking will illuminate if positive valence is unidimensional or multidimensional as well as what the most likely description of positive valence in. This survey will form the basis of a future journal article.

The classic Signal Detection Theory assumes equal variance between the target and lure distribution. However, several decades of research in recognition memory has almost never found equal variance results. What remains interesting in these literatures is that the reliable asymmetry in target vs. lure variability has been reported in two opposite directions - while numerous list memory experiments with word stimuli find evidence for greater target variability, a lot of eyewitness memory experiments are showing the opposite evidence for greater lure variability. Despite conflicting findings, it is possible that there are a number of procedure and stimulus differences underlying these experiments.

The present study was designed to answer the question that, whether it is the stimulus type (words vs. faces) or procedure differences that influence on the findings of greater target or greater lure variability.

80 participants were recruited in this study. 14 participants were excluded either due to poor performance, a large proportion of fast responses (likely to be fast guesses), or insufficient data.

In this experiment participants completed several cycles of a computer-based recognition memory task. In each of the task, participants were presented with series of words or AI generated faces from four ethnicities (Asian, Black, Latino and White) and two genders (male and female). Participants were required to remember each item. They were then presented with a simple true/false maths task that acted as an interference task, with the aim of negating the effect of short term memory during the retention interval. At test, participants were presented with a selection of the original items (and some lure items) in the centre of the screen. The task was to identify whether they had seen each item previously, or whether it was a lure, and state their confidence in this recollection using a 6-point confidence rating scale.

Both words and faces stimuli generated zROC slopes less than 1, meaning that both types of stimulus showed evidence for greater target variability.

The results suggest a possibility that it may be procedure rather than stimulus difference that produces different findings on target vs. lure variability in previous research.

In recent years, the use of hormonal contraceptives (HC) have been extended to other menstrual problems, apart from just its predominant use for pregnancy prevention (Prior, 2016). HCs vary on the mode and route of delivery as well as other factors such as dosage, hormone type, hormone free days, etc., but the most common is the oral contraceptive which contains a mixture of synthetic oestrogens (Hall & Trussell, 2012). Endogenous estradiol and progesterone HCs affect sexual development, fertility, basic neural functioning, emotion, cognition and social and sexual behaviour (Jones et al., 2019). Initial studies have indicated that users of HC have low task performance, lower competitive behaviour and are less likely to self-select into a competitive tournament as compared to non-users (Buser, 2012). Most HCs also consist of synthetic progesterone, which is believed to mediate neurological changes. The anti-androgenic abilities of some progestins are known to inhibit the promotion of competitive behaviour, indicating a role for the specific progestin formula in the behavioural effects of HCs (Pletzer et al., 2015). High progesterone levels during the mid-luteal phase increase motivation for social interactions, but reduces competitive interactions (Gangestad & Grebe, 2017). The ovulatory period marked by a peak in estradiol is known to correlate with intrasexual competitive behaviour in other areas including and beyond the acquisition of high-quality mates (Blake et al., 2016). However, whether competitive behaviour differs between early- to mid-follicular phase—where progesterone is quiescent—and mid-luteal phase—where progesterone is dominant—has not been well-studied (Roney & Simmons, 2016).

Research Questions: 1. Is there a difference in competitive persistence between naturally cycling women in their mid-luteal phase compared to their mid-follicular phase? 2. Does progesterone have a role in explaining the effect of menstrual-cycle phase on competitive persistence? Hypotheses: 1. Naturally cycling women in their mid-follicular phase (NC-MF) will demonstrate higher competitive persistence than women using hormonal contraceptives (HC users) and naturally cycling women in their mid-luteal phase (NC-ML). 2. Among naturally cycling women, progesterone levels will mediate the relationship between cycle phase and competitive persistence, with higher progesterone predicting lower competitive persistence.

83 REP participants completed the study and 4 were excused no-shows.

Participants complete a one-minute online pre-screening form, which automatically determines their eligibility for the study based on their age, menstrual cycle characteristics, HC usage, and relevant medical history. Eligible participants are then scheduled to attend a laboratory session at a particular point in their menstrual cycle. They receive a reminder email prior to their session to remind them of the session requirements and to complete a health declaration. At the laboratory session, participants complete: •a Competitiveness Orientation questionnaire •a test of hand-grip strength using a standard digital hand dynamometer •a Competitive Will Task (Participants hold a .5kg dumbbell at arm’s length and shoulder height for as long as they feel they can in competition against previous participants) •an Anagram completion task •other questionnaires measuring covariates, including height and weight •two saliva samples The study then ends.

Data will be analysed using a one-way ANOVA and regression mediation model, allowing us to test group differences (HBC v NC) and mediators (progesterone) on competitiveness. We expect the results to follow the patterns predicted in our hypotheses above.

The effects of the cyclic changes in women’s hormonal levels, and their consequent effects on their behaviour between HC users and non-users is a topic area of great contention. To better understand whether progesterone reduces competitive motivation, a detailed examination of differences in competitiveness between mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases, and the hormonal mechanisms underpinning any resulting effects, is warranted. Should HCs, or natural shifts in progesterone, produce a systematic difference in competitive motivation, this is an important contribution to the literature on female behaviour.

Coercive control is a severe and insidious type of psychological intimate partner violence, and this study aims to investigate the mental health implications of coercive control with a particular focus on PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD).

Research Question 1: How does coercive control impact on the mental health of female IPV victim/survivors, particularly PTSD and C-PTSD, above and beyond other forms of IPV (i.e. physical, sexual, other psychological)? Hypothesis 1. Significant additional variance in PTSD, C-PTSD and other negative mental health outcomes is explained by coercive control after controlling for other forms of IPV. Hypothesis 2. Coercive control is the most important predictor of C-PTSD. Research Question 2: Is the relationship between exposure to coercive control and PTSD/C-PTSD moderated by a negative self-concept? Hypothesis: As negative self-concept increases the relationship between coercive control and PTSD/C-PTSD also increases. Research Question 3: Is the relationship between exposure to coercive control and PTSD/C-PTSD moderated by self-compassion? Hypothesis: As self-compassion increases the relationship between coercive control and PTSD/C-PTSD decreases.

55 (REP) participants completed the study. To be eligible to participate in this study participants had to identify as a woman, be at least 18 years old, live in Australia, and have experienced abuse by a current or former intimate partner and participants who did not meet this criteria were excluded from the study.

The survey was completed online via Qualtrics. The survey included demographic questions, and validated questionnaires to measure exposure to intimate partner violence, particularly coercive control and mental health outcomes, including PTSD, complex PTSD, depression and anxiety as well as of self-compassion.

The data from this study has not yet been analysed and results cannot be reported at this stage, but analyses will likely include correlations, hierarchical regression and moderation analyses. Findings are expected to be in line with the hypotheses outlined above.

This study aims to investigate the mental health implications of intimate partner violence, particularly coercive control through a trauma lens to inform the development of feasible trauma-focused evidence-based psychological Interventions.

Research suggests that what constitutes a ‘normal’ perceptual experience can vary widely between people. From time to time, most people experience perceptual phenomena such as static in the visual field, ringing in their ears, or floaters (etc). Sometimes these perceptual phenomena co-occur in interesting ways and can impact other aspects of cognition. This project aims to develop a screening tool for future researchers to use to identify people with certain patterns of perceptual experience. The screening tool will include a questionnaire and a series of visual tasks conducted online. Finally, this project also aims to validate the use of online visual tasks against traditional laboratory-based methods.

- Is screening of specific populations using questionnaires and behavioural tasks a reasonable way to identify people with certain perceptual phenomena? - What is the prevalence of certain perceptual phenomena among participants in the School of Psychological Sciences' Research Experience Program? - How does visual comfort differ between people with certain perceptual phenomena and other participants? - Are online tasks a valid proxy for lab-based psychophysical tests?

328 REP students participated in the study this semester. Five participants were excluded because they did not complete the screening questionnaire. We will not be conducting analyses on data from the visual tasks until later this year. At this point, further participants may be excluded if there is not sufficient data on their visual performance to conduct analyses. For example, we are aware of a problem with the server on which we host our visual tasks which has led to a small amount of data loss.

Our study involved a screening questionnaire, investigating whether participants experience certain perceptual phenomena. Participants who experienced certain phenomena of interest also answered questions about how often they experience these phenomena, and whether the phenomena impacted their lives. As well as original questions developed by the researchers, the questionnaire included aspects of the European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire (ESIT-SQ) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Regardless of their questionnaire responses, all participants then took part in some visual tasks. The first task involved visual experience matching. Participants were asked to look at a series of images and identify which best matched their own visual experience. For each series of images, a scenario was provided in a question, such as “Which looks most like how you see the blue sky?”. Participants were asked to make their judgments as quickly and accurately as possible. The second task investigated visual comfort using Moiré patterns. Participants were asked to identify which of two Moiré was most comfortable to look at, and to do so as quickly as possible. The final task was a variant on the exogenous Posner cuing paradigm, adapted from the work of Taylor et al. (2018). First, participants saw a fixation cross appear on the screen. Participants were instructed to keep their eyes on the fixation cross. Next, a series of circles appeared around the cross. Then, all but one circle was dimmed, ‘cuing’ the remaining circle and drawing the participant’s attention to that circle. Finally, a Gabor (a striped shape) appeared inside one of the circles. Sometimes, it appeared inside was the ‘cued’ circle and sometimes it did not. Participants were instructed to press the space bar on their computer as soon as they saw the Gabor appear.

Our main analyses will be conducted after the conclusion of semester 2’s REP. Participants from this semester will be invited to take our study again, for us to investigate the test-retest reliability of our screening tool (i.e., whether participants respond the same way after a period of time has passed). Apart from investigating test-retest reliability, we will investigate how many participants experienced any of the perceptual phenomena we are interested in; how many participants experienced several phenomena; and whether there are certain patterns of phenomena which often occur together. For example, is tinnitus commonly experienced alongside any of our visual phenomena? Finally, we will investigate whether people who experience certain perceptual phenomena performed differently on the visual tasks.

The results of this study may help future researchers identify people who experience certain perceptual phenomena of interest. This is important because it will allow researchers to study people who experience these phenomena without having to advertise for participants with specific experiences. The results will be communicated in journal articles, conference presentations, two Honours theses, and a PhD thesis.

The study is interested in people’s daily wellbeing and exploring its relationship with their moral awareness.

Whether moral awareness, measured by moral identity and attentiveness, affect wellbeing. Whether the above relationship is moderated by social connectedness and rumination.

Of the 105 participants that signed up in total, 65 completed the study fully (both parts 1 and 2). 26 participants were an unexcused no-show for both parts of the study. 14 were an unexcused no-show for part 2 of the study.

Initial Qualtrics survey measuring moral awareness, religiosity, political identity, rumination, and social connectedness - part one of the study Daily ESM for 14 days measuring moral attentiveness, identity, and wellbeing - part two of the study

Ongoing.

This exploratory research study is part of the 4th year honours project.