psychwithkayleigh-blog

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

12

10-17/1/19

Lately I have been struggling to focus my attention on particular tasks. This is common when suffering from any type of anxiety/depression. 

What I am aware of is the cycle I am prone to get into. Here it is (drawn in my diary in a coffee shop on a snow day!):

How to overcome this cycle?

Unfortunately, this is a part of learning for me. I frequently find myself in this cycle. I think it is important to be kind to yourself if you find yourself like this. The best thing I can do when I feel this way is to think logically.

1. It is okay to not be a work machine! We are not robots. People live vastly complicated lives and experience the world in a myriad of ways that cause all sorts of issues. Sometimes I just accept that I might not get much done and forgive myself for it.

2. Small steps. Try to accomplish a small amount at a time. Worrying over large goals such as a whole essay gets me so down that I cant focus on work to do it. 

3. Research why this cycle happens. As someone who is fascinated by the human mind, I love to find out why I feel or act in certain ways. There is a lot of cool research about learning and overcoming obstacles. Take the opportunity to discover something about yourself.

4. People are not always positive. That is fine. Sometimes negativity is a necessity. 

Reflection

Description: I am working on multiple projects at once. They are quite different in their requirements (Rstudio, essay, research)

Feelings: I feel overwhelmed by the demands on my time in my personal life (children and work) and I cant focus.

Evaluation: I am not doing as much as i should be doing 

Description: It sounds as though I need to reevaluate my current way of tackling my to do list. 

Conclusions: I am struggling and I need to change something

Action Plan: I can change my routine to suit my needs as they change. I can ask for help and support. I can get an extension if necessary.

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

11

3-10/1/19

Flow

Flow is one of eight states someone can be in during the learning process. It is when you are immersed in a task that is appropriately challenging (not too easy or hard)

Others are:  anxiety, apathy, arousal, boredom, control, relaxation, and worry

This week I have been researching both menstrual health and religious cognition. I have also been working on an assignment about the learning process. 

For this I have been trying to get myself in to the f l o w state. 

How?

Challenge and skills must be at their optimal level.

Luckily for me, I am in charge of my own learning.

1. Clear goals must be set. I have been bullet pointing each individual task and element of work to be done. 

2.Check progress. I use a highlighter to immediately check off a task as it is complete. 

3.Loss of self awareness. Try to make sure everything around you is just right - no mess or distractions. Focus your thoughts on one task at a time. 

4. Take control. Try not to worry about the outcomes. Just be part of the process and own the work you do.

Csíkszentmihályi, M. (2008). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. New York, NY: Harper Perennial.

Reflection

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

10

27-3/1/19

I think it is a common thing to get burnout when involved in research. I feel drained like I have no idea where to start. Or what to do!

Whenever I feel like this I end up googling things like ‘why wont my brain let me study’ etc... It genuinely helps. The reason it helps is because it gives me an understanding of my own behaviour and therefore gives me a way to help myself. 

Here is what I have learned about my inability to make myself work (as a consequence of not being able to work).....

1. Procrastination is actually self sabotaging

2. Sometimes (SOMEtimes) it is okay to rest and let your mind wander.. it can be beneficial to your learning.

3. Be kind to yourself. It is known that some procrastination is a consequence of having low self efficacy. Lack of self belief leading to actual inability to do the task. (similar to self sabotaging). 

See here for more on the psychology of procrastination

So I have been giving myself a lot of praise and encouragement to try and boost my confidence. It is important to feel capable. 

Side note

Another issue I am struggling with is ‘academic loneliness’. At first I wasn't actually sure if this is a ‘real’ thing but it seems others struggle with it.. 

I do not know anyone else studying.. at work everyone is focused on their careers. My family are all in jobs. My friends have children and jobs..

I feel like no one quite understands what I am going through. No one I interact with cares about my research like I do. Its like having an invisible baby. So I have found blogging to be helpful in order to give my thoughts an outlet. 

REFLECTION

Description: My thesis project is still underway, with a lot of research happening. I have been reading work by Deborah Kelemen.

Feelings: I do feel like I am not doing enough at this stage. This is making me feel really down. I am struggling to motivate myself to try harder.

Evaluation: On a positive note I am enjoying reading around the area, howver on a negative note I dont think I am making enough progress.

Description: I have a lot of personal issues on my mind at present, and this is probably why I am finding it hard to focus on my work.

Conclusion: I could set aside set time for my study and ensure I do nothing else.

Action: I am going to seek support from family in order to have more time to study.

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

9

20-27/12/18

The link between education and learning

Over the festive period, I took some time out to spend with friends and family. During this time of rest, I began to think in broad terms about the role of learning and education in society. Learning is something I treasure as it enables creativity and the opportunity to discover. Education is not the same thing as learning, as it is more structured and prescribed in its delivery. I feel that learning should hold an element of spontaneity. When we are spoon fed, spontaneity is dimmed. So it is quite odd then, that the purpose of education is to learn. 

How useful is evaluating anyway?

If creativity and spontaneity are enhancing learning, then how beneficial is it to use a theory such as Kolbs to evaluate the learning process? Is it too ‘artificial’? Perhaps this is simply my personal approach to learning but I present a more rounded approach that suits me:

My motivation to work on my research and my university goals comes from a passion for the topic. It feels like a highly organic and natural urge to pursue my research. I think this is why I struggle to set limits on myself and adhere to set ways of learning. I know that I produce my best work when I choose to do it as I love doing it. 

For this reason I have been implementing the ARCS method, whilst analysing my progress with the reflective method.

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

8

6-13/12/18

Motivation

The ARCS motivation model (Keller, 1987)  has four areas: attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction 

After trying out reflection on my learning, I realised that what really makes the difference in my learning is motivation. When I am motivated to learn, things flow really easily. So I began looking at using the ARCS model to see how I can improve my progress. 

Attention

Its true - I really do give my best when something grabs my attention. This is why I am either 100% into something or 0%. So I used this to help myself. MY first task when studying has been to find something interesting or odd out about the topic. Something that is a little peculiar! 

Relevance

After the attention phase, the next is relevance. This involves making a topic more relatable to real life. I personally love doing this - and naturally do it when I consider the wider implications of a topic. This week I was thinking how the IREM model could be linked to people that I know personally. 

Confidence

This area led me to consider how my self esteem and self efficacy are doing. I tried to think positively about how I am progressing and what I will achieve by continuing. I Also considered the applications of the sexual health research I am carrying out. 

Satisfaction

Satisfaction, for me, comes mostly when I have created something - such as a piece of work or a novel experimental design. I generally don’t find it hard to find satisfaction in myself when I am studying. 

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

7

29-6/12/18

THESIS research update!

Interactive Religious Experience Model (IREM) VanLeeuwen & VanElk (2018)

Research into the origins of religious belief - how did I get here.

My understanding of religious belief is quite simple. I believe it is a highly complicated process involving the majority of our evolved cognitive processes. It is an accumulation per se. Obviously that is a huge generalisation... Research into the area has attempted to narrow the process down to specific triggers and cognitive processes that directly lead to an explanation of where and how belief comes to be. 

HADD (hyperactive agency detection) theory

HADD theory states that our social brains are hardwired to seek other life or agents in our environment. Those who are successful in this tend to have an overactive tendency to perceive agency, and therefore survive (evolutionary explanation).

Therefore, the HADD process is overactive in humans as it is beneficial to our survival. Thus leading to a life form whose senses are heightened to apply agency to most ambiguous situations. 

This is proposed as a possible explanation as to where God concepts came from, and how they are universal and persistent.

IREM

Though HADD theory is a well rounded concept, researchers have questioned the generalisation involved in it.

-IREM states there are two aspects to belief: General and Personal-

Belief is made up of GENERAL aspects, such as being brought up in a certain doctrine. 

The real experience aspect comes when individuals have PERSONAL experiences. 

This is the distinction made in the IREM model. 

“God appeared to me/Mary answered my prayers” = personal experience

The research stipulates that people are led by their general religious belief to seek personal experiences that enable them to form personal beliefs. 

Such experiences would then back up general religious beliefs. 

Questions I have now

How would/could this theory apply to other scenarios and types of belief such as belief in demons or Sasquatch?

How could this theory be tested empirically?

Would a qualitative approach be of any use in the beginning phase of research?

How can we quantify individual experiences?

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

6

22-29/11/18

Poster Presentation

This week I completed a poster for my research proposal. I enjoyed reading on the area of apps and menstruation, and decided on my research question. 

I am going to look at how tracking the cycle using apps can impact on the individual. So that means I will measure participants on various constructs like self esteem before and after app use. I am also going to use a control group. 

The part I struggled with was the method of collecting my data. I have been out of study for 5 years and I had to ask for support to understand the best method of analysing / grouping my data. My supervisor advised a 2x2 design. 

I wrote my poster up and made sure I had included all of the important aspects. It has been a while since I have done a poster for research, but I really enjoyed the fact that it made me organise my work. 

Here is a section from the finished poster:

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

5

15-22/11/18

R Studio 

I took the time to reflect on my learning this week, as I have been using Gibbs cycle to help me progress.

Upon this reflection I realised that I work better when I have a little extra pressure of a deadline. So I aimed to get my assignment complete for a week earlier. This meant that I felt more motivated to complete it. 

Gibb’s Reflective Cycle

Step 1: Description

This week I have been completing an RStudio assignment. The way I have been tackling it is by doing it often and taking a lot of breaks. It is very new to me, though I do have programming (java) experience.

Step 2: Thoughts and Feelings

I am enjoying it, though I feel like I could use some extra help now and then.

Step 3: Evaluation

Positive: I am making a lot of progress in a short space of time. I am doing well to keep on track and self-motivate.

Negatives: When I encounter a small issue in the code it can often take me hours to debug as I have no one to ask for help. This is very frustrating.

Step 4: Conclusions

Learning to use R is going to be a difficult but rewarding process.

Step 5: Action

I need to ensure I keep moving forward and continue to self-motivate. I can also use the online discussion board to connect with other students about any issues.

I am going to aim to finish my project a week prior to deadline.

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

4

8-15/11/18

Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988)

I am going to be using Gibbs Reflective Cycle to think systematically about the phases of learning. This week I am focusing on my research into female sexual health

Step 1: Description

I have been researching how technology can improve female sexual and reproductive/menstrual health. I have been working with a researcher who is guiding me in the right direction and supporting my ideas. I have presented some of the research in a journal club as part of an assessment and have been reading widely in books and scientific journals. I have been taking notes mostly on paper and documenting important journals using Mendeley.

Step 2: Thoughts and Feelings

I have been feeling quite passionate about the particular area of research, as I know it is highly important, yet often overlooked. My thoughts have been few as I have been feeling overwhelmed by other aspects of life.

Step 3: Evaluation

Positive: my research is taking shape and moving along well.

Negatives: I am not sure how to narrow my research down to a question and am still thinking too broadly

Step 4: Conclusions

I need to be more focused in my reading. 

Step 5: Action

I can focus on a specific area (eg just menstruation apps) and work from there.

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

3

 1-8/11/18

Assessment 1

This week I had my journal club assessment. In order to prepare I did a lot of reading and even more thinking/reflecting. I found it hard to stick to Kolbs ELT entirely, as the final stage - active experimentation, did not naturally fit into the task. It felt unnatural to force myself to do an activity purely to ensure I stick to the theory.

Thinking things through and allowing the mind to wander really help me. If you have a tendency to do this, dont stop it all of the time. Mind wandering has been found to help creativity, which in turn helps learning  (Mooneyham, B. W., & Schooler, J. W., 2013). In fact, it has even been said that creative people - who tend to be more intelligent (Karwowski et al, 2016), must have the motivation to seek knowledge in order to think creatively (Finley, K. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M., 2018). Therefore their motivation is intrinsic (within themselves!), longer lasting and meaningful. 

I then got to thinking...

How can I motivate myself to tackle the next few months? I have a lot of deadlines coming up. So I began by doing what I do best and letting my mind wander.

I came up with some really interesting thesis ideas this way. 

Next week: I hand in my first thesis ideas and start to tackle RStudio assignment. 

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

2

26-1/11/18

Reflecting 

After reading a lot of Kolbs ELT..

This week I have been thinking about learning, and what it means to learn. Sounds simplistic.. but I have struggled to comprehend my own methods of learning and the process I go through. 

What is learning? 

I know what it is not. It is not just rote memorisation of key facts and concepts. It is not just working to the assignment brief and sticking rigidly to what the module requirements are. I think learning happens best when we allow ourselves to explore a topic/area in any way we feel. For me, this is always how I start my work.

How has Kolbs ELT  benefited my tasks this week?

When researching I became aware that I am naturally utilising the four processes that Kolb structured ELT on. I feel I am definitely more prone to the ACTING phase. I feel better when I am producing and creating, rather than being passive. However, I think that if I spend more time reflecting - I will see benefits in my progress.

Next week: 

I have a journal club assessment. I chose an article that encompasses the main area of my research interest on female health. 

The way the assment works is by a group of students reading each others chosen articles and then meeting up to dicsuss and disemminate the research.

I feel confident in my ability to complete this assessment due to the fact that I have a lot of teaching experience (A Level Psychology and primary education).

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

Kolbs Experiential Learning Theory

1

18-25/10/18

Kolb experiential learning theory (1984) proposed that in order to learn, we must first experience, and then process the experience by reflection. 

There are four stages to the process:

Concrete Experience

The experience of a phenomena. In my case I expect it to take the form of 

-Writing essays, Reading articles, Programming R studio (in class), 

Abstract Conceptualisation

Thinking and considering what we are learning about. I will do this by

- Critiquing research (to self and with others), Summarising research 

Reflective Observation

Reflecting on the experience and deciding what is going good/bad. I will do this by:

-Blogging each week, Thinking of what I did well/needs improving

Active Experimentation

Acting on what we have done and what can be done next. This could be: 

- Bullet pointing tasks like a to do list, Planning assignments, Creating research questions, Conversing with others (meetings, in class, poster presentation)

This is how I so far envisage the theory to serve me! Let us see how it goes..

RESEARCH UPDATE

This week I have been researching how apps could improve sexual health as part of my practical experience module at university. I am finding this module enjoyable as I am paired with a researcher who is guiding me in the right direction with my work. This is a great way to begin research for me, as I have been out of study for a few years.

The first part of the assignment is to run a journal club with other students. I have been trying to find a suitable article.

My initial reading was Sweetening the Pill by Holly Grigspall - a book I have had for a while on the topic of menstruation. It is so interesting and informative, I would recommend this to anyone, not just for specialist research.

I’m the type of person that learns best when I have a passion for the topic. So this was very easy for me to read a lot on in a short space of time.

I found some journal articles that seemed relevant and began reading them. They were on the topic of:

.the effects of oral contraceptive on sexuality and wellbeing

.ovulation monitoring and fertility knowledge

.mobile apps to prevent unintended pregnancy

I also started using Mendeley to keep track of my reading.

(Follow me on Mendeley here)

The literature around female sexual health is vast and I did find it difficult to focus on one area. After discussing with other researchers, I chose to focus on how technology can impact sexual health.

[psychwithkayleigh-blog]

Hello

Welcome

My name is Kayleigh and I am a postgraduate student studying Psychology (MRes) at Northumbria University. 

I have a Bsc in Psychology, a PGCE in Psychology (A Level) and I have worked in post 16 colleges. I currently work in primary school as a higher level teaching assistant. I have always had a huge interest in psychology, and since leaving university I have continued to research. 

The purpose of this space is for me to share my research and discuss my learning process. Please feel free to contact me or leave a reply. I love hearing from people who share my interests!

E: kayleigh5.richardson@northumbria.ac.uk

My main areas of interest are:

Cognitive Science of Religion

I am fascinated by the very existence of religion. Why do we have beleifs in deities that we cannot see? How did this come about? Is it beneficial?

For my undergraduate dissertation I conducted experimnetal research into how the tendency to anthropomorphise may lead us to accept purpose based explanations. This tendency to think someone/thing is an agent (alive/with intentional ability) has been proposed as an explanation for relgious cognition. If you are interested in this I suggest reading Exploring the natural foundations of religion by Justin Barrett. 

Sexual and reproductive health in females

Hormonal birth control puts females in a state of temporary menopause, by shutting down the natural rhythm of hormonal shifts that occur throughout each month. Such methods of contraception are prescribed as the ‘norm’, whether as a pill or a LARC variety. I am interested in how these imposed hormonal shifts impact on the biological and emotional life of females.

Females are living in a culture where menstruation is seen as an inconvinience and something to be scorned. But the natural cycle can provide us with many indicators of health.

I also have an interest in:

-Autism (specifically in females.)

-Motivation

-Personality