PhD Study : Facial Expression as a Source of Explicit and Implicit Symbolic Fear and Avoidance Behaviours as Moderated by Rumination 

Summary

The acquisition of fear and avoidance responses are essential in protecting individual organisms from harmful events. Humans appear to be unique in acquiring such behaviours through a combination of naturalistic fear cues, such as video images of arachnids, and symbolic relations in human language (e.g., Smyth, et al., 2006). This ability may provide advantages for the human species. For example, by learning the names and characteristics of specific spiders we may learn (sensibly) to fear and to avoid highly venomous but not harmless spiders. On balance, fear and avoidance behaviours acquired through symbolic relations may be psychologically problematic. For example, we may develop fear and avoidance of individuals and groups who offer no threat to our safety (see Barnes-Holmes, et al., 2020) and also come to fear and avoid even our own thoughts and feelings when it is unhealthy to do so (see Hayes, et al., 1999).

Much of the research on the acquisition of symbolic fear and avoidance has employed non-social cues, such as mild electric shock or aversive visual images (e.g., spiders). More recently, however, social cues such as negative facial expressions (e.g., fear/anger) have been used to produce symbolic fear and avoidance (Perez, et al, 2020). This finding suggests that observing an aversive facial expression on a stranger’s face, who is then labelled (with a symbol) as a member of a specific group, could lead you to fear/avoid other strangers who are labelled with the same symbol, although there is no direct basis for doing so. As such, this type of experimental research may help to explain the human capacity for acts of social prejudice and discrimination.

Related research has also shown that symbolic fear and avoidance may be recorded using methods that target relatively slow (explicit) and fast (implicit) responses (Leech & Barnes-Holmes, 2020; Leech, et al., 2018); note, however, that this research employed images of spiders not facial expressions (but see Hughes, et al, 2018; Perez, et al, 2019). Demonstrating implicit fear and avoidance has been deemed important because they appear to be less susceptible to “experimenter-demand” effects (see O’Toole, et al., 2008). Finally, recent research has suggested that the transmission of implicit fear and avoidance may require the opportunity to ruminate (i.e., repeatedly rehearse) the symbolic relations that “transmit” the fear and avoidance responding from the naturalistic cues to the relevant symbolic stimuli (Leech & Barnes-Holmes,2020).

The proposed research project will explore the transmission of symbolic fear and avoidance using facial expressions rather than non-social stimuli (shock, spiders, etc.). The project will seek to replicate and extend the findings reported by Perez, et al (2020), using both explicit and implicit measures, including a latency-based method, eye tracking and EEGs; the latter three measures will permit specific tests of a recently proposed theoretical analysis of symbolic fear and avoidance responses (see Leech, 2020; Pinto, et al., 2020). Finally, the project will seek to determine if implicit symbolic fear and avoidance are sensitive to different levels of rumination.

Applications from candidates who hold, or expect to achieve by 15 August, an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) or a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology from a UK institution (or overseas award deemed to be equivalent via UK NARIC) will be prioritised.

Strong research method skills and an interest in experimental and (or) applied psychology is desirable.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living