LSBU Social psychology research project voted to be ‘Next Big Thing’
Dr Daniel Frings, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London South Bank University (LSBU) has won a 'speed geeking' style challenge set up to identify the 'next big thing' in psychology researchSponsored by the British Psychological Association and hosted at the Dana Centre, psychology experts from eight institutions across the country were invited to present their research to groups of six people, using the classic 'speed dating' – or 'speed geeking' - model.
Each psychology expert was given five minutes to present their research to these groups, rotating around until all experts had presented to each group. Following a vote by the audience, a top three was chosen and asked to present their research to the entire audience – in only one minute.
Dr Frings discussed a programme of research looking at social identities and their role in addiction recovery. The research is part of a project he is currently conducting with PhD students Sarah Buckingham and Misiel Kkeli, as well as Professor Ian Albery, Director of the Institute of Social Science Research at LSBU.
The project outlines how all people have social identities, which are active in different contexts, such as how people tend to be more aware of their national identity in a foreign setting - and how these identities influence the ways we think and behave.
"One area we are studying this in is addiction. This is an interesting area, as addicts have two identities which are potentially conflicting - one being an addict, and another as a 'recovering' or 'ex' addict", says Dr Frings.
"Looking at the relationship between these identities reveals not only how these identities may interact, but also the effects they have on treatment outcomes. For instance, we show that greater differences in the level of identification lead to less frequent relapse. These findings not only deepen our understanding of how identities in general work, but also form the start of a programme of research, the insights of which will hopefully benefit addicts in the future."
Receiving 47% of all votes cast for the three finalists, the LSBU presentationwas chosen as the winner, and deemed the most promising psychology research presented at the event.
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