A formal signal detection model of eyewitness identification. The project aims to aid in producing better procedures for the collection and assessment of eyewitness identification evidence. In a police line-up, a witness is asked to identify a perpetrator from a group of similar individuals. Applied research has focused on conditions that optimise witness performance but many of the conclusions from this research have been challenged on the basis that they use inappropriate measures of performan ....A formal signal detection model of eyewitness identification. The project aims to aid in producing better procedures for the collection and assessment of eyewitness identification evidence. In a police line-up, a witness is asked to identify a perpetrator from a group of similar individuals. Applied research has focused on conditions that optimise witness performance but many of the conclusions from this research have been challenged on the basis that they use inappropriate measures of performance. Recent work has highlighted the usefulness of analyses based on the theory of signal detection. However, the line-up task does not fit easily within standard signal detection paradigms as it combines two tasks; detection and identification. The project aims to understand how these components work in order to measure witness performance.Read moreRead less
Radicalisation, Counter-Radicalisation, and De-Radicalisation: Developing a New Understanding of Terrorism in the Australian Context. Concentrating on the unique drivers of extremism within Victoria (and Australia), the study will enhance counter terrorism stakeholders' understanding of domestic radicalization. This will assist in designing policies appropriate for Australian circumstances that can: 1. pre-empt, prevent and detect radicalisation without jeopardising social cohesion and 2. reduce ....Radicalisation, Counter-Radicalisation, and De-Radicalisation: Developing a New Understanding of Terrorism in the Australian Context. Concentrating on the unique drivers of extremism within Victoria (and Australia), the study will enhance counter terrorism stakeholders' understanding of domestic radicalization. This will assist in designing policies appropriate for Australian circumstances that can: 1. pre-empt, prevent and detect radicalisation without jeopardising social cohesion and 2. reduce Australia's reliance on overseas counter-radicalisation and de-radicalisation models, where practitioners confront different community dynamics. Working towards understanding what causes radicalization in Australia, the project offers to enhance national security and by addressing local circumstances carries the prospect of creating more cost-efficient counter terrorism practices.Read moreRead less
State-trace analysis: theory and application. A fundamental question for the science of psychology is: how can we identify the functional components of the human mind from observed behaviour and bodily states? This project explores this question through a new methodology called state-trace analysis and apply it to a basic cognitive ability - the capacity to learn to classify different objects.
Deservingness and emotions. The project will address a key neglected area in the psychology of emotion, namely on how different emotions relate to perceptions that outcomes such as success or failure are deserved or undeserved. It will add to leadership on this issue and contribute to Australia's worldwide reputation for research on social justice and deservingness. The project will have implications for applied areas of national significance that include health-related issues and issues concern ....Deservingness and emotions. The project will address a key neglected area in the psychology of emotion, namely on how different emotions relate to perceptions that outcomes such as success or failure are deserved or undeserved. It will add to leadership on this issue and contribute to Australia's worldwide reputation for research on social justice and deservingness. The project will have implications for applied areas of national significance that include health-related issues and issues concerned with national safety, given the fact that emotions like sympathy can determine helping behaviour, and emotions like resentment can trigger revenge and conflict.Read moreRead less
How do we seek justice after hurt, offence or terror? Retributive and restorative responses. The project will address a neglect of the concept of restorative justice in psychology. It will add to the leadership on this issue of Australian researchers from other disciplines and contribute to Australia's worldwide reputation in this field. The project will determine when people are motivated to use restorative justice. Hence, it will contribute to the effective implementation of restorative justic ....How do we seek justice after hurt, offence or terror? Retributive and restorative responses. The project will address a neglect of the concept of restorative justice in psychology. It will add to the leadership on this issue of Australian researchers from other disciplines and contribute to Australia's worldwide reputation in this field. The project will determine when people are motivated to use restorative justice. Hence, it will contribute to the effective implementation of restorative justice practices, for them to be considered legitimate and able to contribute to the reduction of crime, to reconciliation after conflict and international peace. The research seeks to make a contribution to a safer, more cohesive Australia and inform its missions for conflict resolution (in the region) and thus reduce causes of terrorism.Read moreRead less
When and why forgiveness promotes justice. Responding to victimisation with forgiveness has been credited with many positive effects; for individual victims in terms of their mental health, for the maintenance of social relationships, as well as for the reconciliation between larger groups after conflict. This research project will identify processes and conditions that make forgiveness more conducive to victims' sense of justice, and thus a more satisfying and effective response option. Next to ....When and why forgiveness promotes justice. Responding to victimisation with forgiveness has been credited with many positive effects; for individual victims in terms of their mental health, for the maintenance of social relationships, as well as for the reconciliation between larger groups after conflict. This research project will identify processes and conditions that make forgiveness more conducive to victims' sense of justice, and thus a more satisfying and effective response option. Next to advancing Australia's scholarship in this vibrant research field, the findings will help administrators give victims a sense of justice while repairing interpersonal and intergroup relations important for a healthy social fabric.Read moreRead less
Strengthening community partnerships to promote adolescent school engagement and prevent problems such as alcohol misuse and violence. The project will reduce community rates of adolescent school non-attendance, adolescent alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour. Adolescent school exclusion, alcohol use and antisocial behaviour are highly prevalent in Australia, and can be reduced using a variety of strategies that are coordinated at the school and community level. The project will decrease adol ....Strengthening community partnerships to promote adolescent school engagement and prevent problems such as alcohol misuse and violence. The project will reduce community rates of adolescent school non-attendance, adolescent alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour. Adolescent school exclusion, alcohol use and antisocial behaviour are highly prevalent in Australia, and can be reduced using a variety of strategies that are coordinated at the school and community level. The project will decrease adolescent problems through community improvements in child and adolescent protective influences and reductions in risk influences. Furthermore, the project will equip communities with the capacity to learn how to identify and implement strategies to address the major influences that have the potential to reduce adolescent behaviour problems.Read moreRead less
How effective are disclaimer labels on fashion magazine images? Commentators and researchers from a number of Western countries, including Australia, have suggested that idealised media images in fashion magazines should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the impact of disclaimer labels on women's mood and body dissatisfaction. Expected outcomes include recommendations to policy makers ....How effective are disclaimer labels on fashion magazine images? Commentators and researchers from a number of Western countries, including Australia, have suggested that idealised media images in fashion magazines should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the impact of disclaimer labels on women's mood and body dissatisfaction. Expected outcomes include recommendations to policy makers as to the most effective form of intervention, as well as increased theoretical understanding of the operation of disclaimer labels.Read moreRead less
Biological and behavioural rhythms of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder. Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder is a disabling and prevalent sleep disorder in the adolescent and young adult population. Using an innovative laboratory method this project will carry out the world's first comprehensive study of it. The results of this study will point the way to an effective treatment of this presently poorly treated disorder.
The dynamic interplay of physical and psychosocial safety in frontline healthcare workplaces in Australia and Malaysia. The healthcare industry is under immense pressure. Urgent attention is needed to reduce strains on workers and costs in healthcare. This project will meet these joint objectives through modelling and developing a system that integrates both physical and psychosocial facets to enhance the psychological and physical health of workers and quality care.