The Experimental Psychopathology Lab investigates human learning and emotion systems underpinning adaptive behaviour. A psychophysiology and cognitive neuroscience perspective is adopted in which the underlying neurobehavioural mechanisms of clinically relevant behaviours are identified. We design tasks to examine learning and generalization of fear and avoidance, amongst other topics, in healthy and patient populations.

Current Research Projects and Collaborators

Avoidance learning and extinction

• Symbolic generalization of avoidance (with Dr Mike Schlund, Georgia State University & Dr Bryan Roche, Maynooth University)
• Neural mechanisms of approach-avoidance conflict (with Dr Mike Schlund, Georgia State University)
• Safety learning and living in fear in COVID-19 lockdown (with Dr Martyn Quigley, Dr Dan Zuj, Dr Gemma Cameron)

Gambling behaviour and harm

• Military personnel and gambling related harm
• Gambling Research, Education and Treatment (GREAT) Network Wales.
• Recently completed:
  • The UK Veterans’ Health and Gambling Study (funded by Forces in Mind Trust) and Wellbeing and Coping in the RAF (funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund.)
  • The Contingency Management for Gambling (CONGAM) study is the first ever, UK-based feasibility trial of CM for gambling disorder. It will explore the barriers and facilitators to CONGAM by surveying the views of treatment providers and treatment-seeking gamblers, before conducting a small-scale trial. Funded by GambleAware.