by craigharper | Jun 10, 2015 | Forensic
PhD Students from FCRG have just had a chapter published in a new ebook, which looks at human-animal interactions.
Rachel Orritt and Craig Harper, both principally supervised by Prof. Todd Hogue, wrote their chapter entitled “Similarities Between the Representation of “Aggressive Dogs” and “Sex Offenders” in the British News Media” after Rachel presented their work at a conference last year. This chapter explores the various similarites in media reports in relation to canine aggression (Rachel’s work) and sexual crime and its perpetrators (Craig’s work).
The ebook can be purchased here.
by rbartels | May 12, 2015 | Forensic
The FCRG is very pleased to announce that PhD candidate – Danielle Kettleborough – has received the inaugural Student Research Grant awarded by the National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers. This is a great achievement and will be invaluable to Danielle’s doctoral research, which focuses on increasing the knowledge-base surrounding the users of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM). This research will have important implications for practitioners working with this offender group as it will provide a more specific understanding of their risks and needs.
The awarded research grant (totalling £723.34 ) will aid Danielle in accessing individuals from Prevention Project Dunkelfeld (Düsseldorf, Germany); a free, confidential service for individuals who have a partial or exclusive sexual preference for children that provides therapeutic help, stemming from a “health-based approach”. There are no mandatory reporting laws regarding CSEM in Germany, which allows for a comparison group of “undetected” individuals that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The majority of CSEM research has so far consisted of offender samples. As such, the theoretical developments to date could potentially be distorted due to biased empirical findings. Little is known about undetected CSEM users and the factors that distinguish this group from those who have been convicted of CSEM use. Investigating these individuals may raise important issues for prevention strategies, risk assessment, and treatment. The use of CSEM is of international concern, and this project could present the first comparison between the health-based and offending-based approach.
The research project is currently in the stage of planning and development and it is hoped that the collaboration will commence in September 2015.
by rbartels | May 11, 2015 | Forensic
This year’s second academic term has seen a number of key figures within the forensic field give some fascinating guest talks at the University of Lincoln (as part of the School of Psychology’s Research Seminar Series). Each speaker was invited by a member of the FCRG.
First, on 4th March, Dr. Miranda Horvath (Middlesex University), invited by Dr. Lynsey Gozna, gave an interesting talk entitled “Blurred lines: Exploring the impacts of lads mags and pornography on attitudes and behaviour”. In this talk, Dr. Horvath discussed findings from some of her most recent studies. In one interesting study, participants were presented with descriptions of women taken from: 1) lads’ mags; and 2) comments made by convicted rapists. However, participants were blind to the source of the description. The findings showed that participants could not distinguish the source of the quotes. Moreover, male participants identified more with the descriptions made by rapists than lad mags, possibly explained by the fact that lads mag quotes were rated as being more derogatory. Dr. Horvath suggested that these results support the hypothesis that lads mags reinforce and normalise hostile forms of sexism. In the second half of the presentation, Dr. Horvath outlined some of the core findings from an ongoing project looking into the effects that pornography can have on children and young people’s values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour.
A week later, on 11th March, Prof. Theresa Gannon (University of Kent), invited by Dr. Ross Bartels, gave a talk entitled “Adult Deliberate Firesetting: Developments in Theory, Research, and Practice”. In this presentation, Prof. Gannon gave an overview of the theoretical and empirical findings that have emanated from a major project on adult firesetters; a relatively neglected forensic population. Prof. Gannon described the recent Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF) along with research findings on the psychological characteristics and mental health problems of fire-setters. Some of the key findings were that firesetters have higher levels of anger-related cognitions, interest in serious fires, identification with fire, and lower levels of fire safety awareness than non-firesetters. Also, Prof. Gannon and her team found Borderline Personality traits (e.g., poor impulse control, interpersonal issues) to be a strong discriminator between firesetters and controls. Finally, Prof. Gannon presented new and promising findings on the efficacy of the “The Firesetting Intervention Programme for Prisoners”.
Last but not least, on 22nd April, Dr. Tamara Turner-Moore (Leeds Beckett University) and Dr. Mitch Waterman (University of Leeds), invited by Prof. Todd Hogue, presented a talk entitled “They fear that they’re gonna be viewed as a massive deviant fantasy and penis”: Research on sexual offenders’ sexual thoughts and practitioners’ reflections on the implications for treatment. In this presentation, Dr. Turner-Moore and Dr. Waterman provided an overview of the ‘Sexual Thoughts Project’ (STP); an extensive international survey examining the sexual thoughts and fantasies of community men (n = 6000+) and men convicted of sexual offences (n = 93). The core findings from the STP were presented, particularly those comparing the content of sexual thoughts in non-offenders and sexual offenders. Also, the two researchers gave an overview of the work produced by a ‘think tank’ (comprised of the STP researchers, the Chair of the Practice Committee of NOTA, key UK policy-makers, and treatment providers from prison, probation, mental health, and community services) developed to explore the practical implications of the initial STP findings. The initial work of the think tank was thought-provoking and showcased ways in which this important research can be implemented in practice.
Each talk provided a fascinating insight into some of the core topics and issues within Forensic Psychology at the moment, and we are extremely grateful to each of the speakers for taking the time to visit and share their work with our department.
The FCRG team are now planning the guest speakers for next semester (Autumn 2015), with the aim to make them as interesting and varied as this semester (and year) has been.
by rbartels | May 7, 2015 | Forensic
Last month (April 21-23), three members of the FCRG – Dr. Adrian Parke, Andrew Harris (research assistant), and Dr. Amanda Roberts all presented some their recent research findings at a conference in Toronto, Canada. The conference (Discovery 2015) is run annually by The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). The RGC is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to problem gambling prevention. Given the aims of the RGC, the Discovery conference is a key event for the FCRG gambling researchers to disseminate the results of their research.
Dr. Adrian Parke presented a poster entitled “The Role of Stake Size in Loss of Control in Within-Session Gambling“. Using a repeated-measures design, this study found that participants’ decision-making became increasingly worse (impaired) when gambling at higher stakes (£20 per spin on a virtual roulette simulation) compared to lower stakes (£2 per spin). This impaired decision-making occurred regardless of whether participants were winning or losing. These results provide support for a stake-related risk factor for problem gambling, other than rate of loss. Dr. Parke and his colleagues suggest that future research should examine the effects of stake size in conjunction with other characteristics of EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) gambling.
Andrew Harris presented a poster entitled ” Are Executive Functions Affected by Slot Machine Speed of Play? The Impact of Reel Speed on Motor Response Inhibition”. This study found empirical evidence that faster game-play on an electronic slot machine simulator led to a greater loss of control. This loss of control manifested as an impairment in motor response inhibition, measured via an integrated Go/No-Go paradigm. Implications of gambling harm minimisation strategies are discussed.
Dr. Amanda Roberts presented a poster entitled ” Gambling Problems, Traumatic Life Events and the Perpetration of Violence”. This study aimed to examine the relationship between problem-gambling and violence – including intimate partner violence (IPV) and traumatic life events – in a nationally representative sample of men in the UK. The results revealed a strong relationship between gambling problems and family violence (as well as other forms), especially in those with comorbid alcohol dependence. Dr. Roberts and her colleagues argue that negative effects associated with problem-gambling (worsened by alcohol abuse in some cases) can lead to stress and antagonism that is directed towards others, particularly those in immediate surroundings (e.g, family members). These findings suggest a need for problem-gambling treatment services to tailor treatment for clients who present with such issues.
Also, on the 19th April, before the conference began, Dr. Parke and Dr. Roberts attended (by invitation) the “First North American Regional Meeting of the International Think Tank on Gambling Research, Policy and Practice” in Toronto (hosted by the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, AUT University and the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre). The ‘think tank’ focused on discussing the ‘Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling’ and how longitudinal research can inform the Framework.
On the 24th June, the FCRG will be hosting a conference on the issue of ‘Women and Problem-Gambling”. Click this link here for more details and a link to the registration page.
by rbartels | Apr 17, 2015 | Forensic
Sexual offending is a major problem within society due to the serious consequences it causes the victims, families, and community. As a result, psychologists are hard at work trying to understand sexual offenders more deeply so that we can devise better risk assessment methods, and provide more effective prevention and intervention strategies. However, the research is not always conveyed effectively to the public.
Therefore, on Friday 15th May, researchers within the Forensic and Clinical Research Group at the University of Lincoln will be running a free event to showcase what forensic psychology has taught us about sexual offending. Anyone who attends will learn about what kinds of research are being undertaken at the university and how it can be used in the real-world. It is hoped that the event will dispel common myths about sexual offending, while providing useful insights into what we do know. This will include talks by forensic psychology experts and PhD students, along with demonstrations of the research that we’re doing.
Admission to this public event is free of charge and it will run from 2-4pm. Note, given the nature of the topic, it is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.
The event will take place in room BL1105 & BL1106 in the David Chiddick Building on Brayford Wharf East (opposite the university’s library). If you are interested in coming along, please follow the signs to the area where the event is taking place.
Further information can be acquired here as well as from Dr Ross Bartels (rbartels@lincoln.ac.uk) or Mrs Zoe Mead on 01522835510 or zmead@lincoln.ac.uk
