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Self in Society brings together two key research themes within psychology; research on self and identity and research for innovation in mental health. Our first speaker, Dr Aiden Gregg, will explore how we view ourselves and the implications of self-related motivations and perceptions - what do we want to discover about who we are? With Dr Nick Maguire's talk we take a look at how individuals fit into society and the societal, economic and individual factors in homelessness, setting out to help answer the question of 'why do people sleep on the streets in 21st Century Britain?'
The Elusive Allure of Seeing Yourself Negatively: Fact or Fiction?
Dr Aiden P Gregg
(Associate Professor in Psychology)
What sorts of information do people want to discover about who they are? Two general answers are: accurate information or positive information. But another intriguing answer is this: self-verifying information—whether right or wrong, good or bad. Allegedly, it makes life seem predictable, controllable, and coherent. Empirical support for this view includes the finding that people with unduly negative self-views (like depressives) often choose negative over positive feedback. I show, however, that better alternative explanations exist—save in the case of one emblem of identity: the human face.
Psychological factors in homelessness: Why do people sleep on the streets in 21st Century Britain?
Dr Nick Maguire
(Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology)
Despite the UK being the fifth largest economy in the world, homelessness remains a significant issue with informed estimates indicating that over 9000 people sleep rough on the streets each night, and around 40,000 people live in homeless hostels. The causes of homelessness are manifold and complex.
I will talk through the macro and micro factors underpinning the causes of homelessness, and then present our findings around the psychological issues and how we treat them. I will cover the way in which services may be adapted to ensure that they are more available to this population of people.
I will talk through the macro and micro factors underpinning the causes of homelessness, and then present our findings around the psychological issues and how we treat them. I will cover the way in which services may be adapted to ensure that they are more available to this population of people.
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