Feelings of control and contingency learning in inmates - Version1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feelings of control: The effects of mood, personality and context on contingency learning in inmates.
IRAS ID
102964
Contact name
Robin A. Murphy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
R&D Department, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
People who feel that they have some control over their lives tend to be psychologically healthier than those who feel helpless and that life just 'happens' to them. Distortions of feelings of control are important because they have been linked to depression, hopelessness and suicide. The aim of this research is to study how mood and personality affects the basic learning and memory processes that contribute to feelings of control. Specifically, levels of depression and psychopathy will be measured in order to inform our understanding of the way in which contingency learning and perception of causation may vary in these distinct psychopathologies within an incarcerated criminal population. Participants will consist of inmates and it is expected that the study will be carried out at HMP Brixton and HMP Send from January to March 2014.
Quantitative data will be collected using two computer based learning and memory tasks to test theories of learning in prison environments. Two key aspects of learning will be studied: causal judgments and inhibitory control. This will provide data that will inform the basic science of memory and learning as well as the relation between depressed mood and psychopathy with the learning processes underlying the experience of personal control specifically in relation to our understand of the potential effects of prison environments.REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0078
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion