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Start date: 2021Subject: search.filters.subject.520406 Sensory processes, perception and performance

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    Beliefs about dietary fat and sugar and their association with self-reported dietary adjustments leading up to cognitively demanding situations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) de Bruin, Delon
    Diet has for a long time been known to play a crucial role in human health and well-being. While fat and sugar are both essential to healthy brain function, long-term overconsumption– particularly of refined sugars, saturated fats, and trans fats–has been linked to negative effects on cognition and mood. Attitudes and beliefs significantly influence health-related behaviours, including dietary choices, emphasizing the importance of understanding public perceptions to promote healthier eating habits. While the effects of dietary fat and sugar on health have been extensively studied, little is known about how the public perceives their impact on mood and cognition. Given the prevalence of negative attitudes and narratives surrounding fat and sugar, it is possible that people also hold negative beliefs about their effect on mood and cognition. The present study surveyed 205 participants on their beliefs regarding fat and sugar’s impact on cognitive performance and mood across several domains using agree/disagree scales. Participants also reported how they would modify their diet leading up to hypothetical cognitively demanding scenarios, such as university exams or job interviews. The results of this study provide some evidence of a popular belief that fat and sugar negatively affect both mood and cognition. Additionally, reported changes in dietary consumption were found to be associated with beliefs about mood but not cognition. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed in relation to the health belief model, alongside study limitations and directions for future research.
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    Inner landscapes : an autoethnographic journey of meditation and AI-generated digital artworks from an yoga psychology perspective : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Akashi, Anya
    This autoethnographic study explored the subjective aspects of daily meditation through self-interviews, reflective journaling, and text-to-image-based digital artwork using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. This qualitative methodological exploration aligned with Indian philosophical traditions that form the epistemological and ontological perspectives of Indigenous Indian Psychology (IIP). Using simple breath awareness meditation for two hours daily, I investigated the physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual dimensions of the subjective meditation experience over a 42-day period. I conducted a Textual-Visual Thematic Analysis (TVTA) of the self-interview data and AI-generated digital artworks. The themes were "Expanding Limitations: Embracing Pleasure and Pain," "Flowering Feelings: Blossoms of Awareness," and "Petals of Time: Absorbed in My Garden," which provided subjective meditation insights into the inner dimensions of experience between the body, mind, and perception of time. The use of this methodology highlighted a novel way of understanding the subjective meditation experience in accordance with IIP, particularly by incorporating yoga psychology. Overall, this study adopted an introspective approach to understanding the subjective aspects of meditation which lead to growth and transformation.
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    The relationships between efficacy beliefs (self, teacher, and collective) and the planning and teaching of computational thinking : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Massey University (distance), New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025-03-30) Macann, Victoria
    Computational thinking is recognised as a vital skill to adequately prepare students for future jobs in contemporary society. Students need to develop advanced computational skills, and teachers need the knowledge and skills to integrate CT into their classroom instruction. This multiple case study aimed to understand the relationships between self, teacher, and collective efficacy beliefs and how primary/ elementary level school leaders and teachers plan and teach computational thinking (CT). Drawing upon Bandura's self-efficacy theory, the research identifies how various contextual and domain-specific factors shape self, teacher, and collective efficacy beliefs. Self-efficacy beliefs refer to an individual's confidence in their own ability to successfully execute the actions required to achieve specific goals or handle particular situations. Teacher efficacy beliefs are a specific application of the broader concept of self-efficacy in the context of teaching. Teacher efficacy beliefs refer to a teacher's confidence in their ability to foster student learning, manage classrooms, and overcome challenges related to teaching. Collective efficacy is the shared belief among a group of people in their combined ability to achieve goals or address challenges and extends the concept of self-efficacy from the individual to the group level. In particular, a focus of the study was how the sources of efficacy judgements were either supported or undermined by various factors, contributing to self, teacher, and collective efficacy of the participants. This research is important because there is less research focused on the assessment of all four sources of self-efficacy, and limited research on how teachers describe teaching experiences that impact their efficacy beliefs. From two New Zealand based cases, and one case in the United States (US), findings confirm the multifaceted nature of efficacy beliefs, and highlights the significance of factors such as professional development (PD), resource availability, time constraints, collaboration, and leadership support on teachers and school leaders’ efficacy judgements. Enactive mastery experiences were the most commonly described source of efficacy judgement in relation to these factors. This research offers valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors shaping efficacy beliefs in CT education, thereby informing strategies for increasing teacher support, refining professional development practices, and creating effective educational policies for CT integration in schools/school districts.
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    Using Bayesian methods to determine truth-telling in an online-based survey on aggression : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Gray, Kayla
    The desire to obtain truthful responses in research on sensitive matters has been explored widely over a number of years, and in a variety of fields. Researchers have regarded the Bayesian Truth Serum (BTS) and its application of incentive-based methods as the lead framework for reducing the effect of social desirability bias (SDB) on accurate and honest responses in research. BTS operates on the assumption we always portray ourselves to be better than we realistically are. By offering a financial incentive to provide honest answers, the expectation is people will share more sensitive and socially undesirable information about themselves, as motivated by financial rewards. 289 participants were recruited via Prolific and asked to complete an online-based survey regarding their aggressive attitudes and behaviours. Participants also provided estimates regarding the percentage of people in the general population who they believed would share the same perspective. Results indicate that while BTS may have encouraged participants to respond truthfully about the aggressive tendencies of themselves and others, the results were not significant. However, some findings were consistent with previous research in that males were found more likely to endorse the use of aggression in certain situations and were more likely to have engaged in aggressive behaviour (based on their tendency to respond positively to the use of aggression). In comparison, females were more likely to respond angrily when provoked, which lends support to existing research. In conclusion, our findings indicated the application of a financial-based incentive (BTS) did not produce significant differences between groups regarding the measurement of aggressive behaviour and perceptions. Despite this, results indicated the way participants responded to statements about aggression differed depending on the group they were assigned to. Discussed are future directions which may improve the success of BTS methodology in the field of aggression, and implications for future research in this area.
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    The calm in their storm : caregiver phenomenology of sensory modulation to co-regulate emotion in the care dyad : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Thompson, Angela
    Family caregivers have become a significant unpaid workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand, in terms of both numbers and economic contribution. Despite this, their own well-being is frequently overlooked and furthermore has the potential to diminish through the act of providing care. One of the most difficult aspects of caregiving is considered to be the management of maladaptive emotional and behavioural symptoms, and research suggests sensory reactivity may be an antecedent to these symptoms. Emotion regulation is believed to be bidirectional with extrinsic emotion regulation in children supported by parents intrinsically regulating and modelling their own emotion and responses. Parent caregivers are vulnerable to burnout which can make this more difficult. Qualitative methods were used to understand the phenomenology of sensory reactivity/management in intrinsic and extrinsic emotion regulation by 7 family caregivers. The data was analysed according to the components of the Process Model of Emotion Regulation (PMoER) (Gross, 2013) using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) Thematic Analysis. The study found the participants were acutely aware of sensory reactivity in the care-recipient, and this was interwoven with the regulation strategies underpinned by the components of the PMoER. They predominantly utilised their own research and experimentation to down regulate maladaptive responses in the care recipient and receive little formal support to inform these strategies. Furthermore, they are often instrumentalised in sensory modulation by their intuitive knowledge of the care-recipient and their physical presence. Participants found care recipients displayed fewer maladaptive emotional and behavioural symptoms in predictable, manageable environments such as the home. This contributes to social isolation, reduced ability for the caregiver to engage in respite, and for the care-recipient to participate in developmentally appropriate activities. This study draws on the experiences of a small sample, captured at a specific moment in a dynamic experience. It draws attention to issues that are worthy of closer attention to sustain the well-being of caregivers who provide a significant contribution to both their family members and the healthcare system.
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    Altered perception and experience of “self” through the cultivation of bodily awareness : a phenomenological investigation among long-term body-based practitioners : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Cottrell-Davies, Siân
    Extensive research points to the efficacy of “mindfulness” to alleviate diverse psychological and physical symptoms. However research has afforded markedly less attention to the lived experience and mechanisms of being mindful. This study investigated the perception and experience of “self” among long-term practitioners of body-based techniques, such as meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, and forms of breathwork. Five participants were engaged in semi-structured interviews, with a single researcher adopting the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology. Four overarching themes emerged: “The corruption of thought-based perception”, “Contacting a more direct truth through embodiment”, “Beyond the obsession with the body: Contacting the true self or no-self?”, and “Self-reflection in the environment”. Theme two, relating to bodily awareness, was the dominant theme of the study, comprising four subcategories: “Experience lodged in the physiology”, “Living inside out”, “The relationship between thought and sensation”, and “Non-reactivity and release”. The current findings illuminate body awareness as a potent pathway to self-discovery, providing a more direct truth of one's place in the world and a gateway to a deeper self. By interweaving cognitive psychology, neurophenomenology, and both Eastern and Western philosophical systems, this study probes into simultaneous insight into an essential self as consciousness, and an absolute absence of self. All participants concurred that this process of self-discovery originated from an initial dedication to inward attention, anchoring on direct bodily sensations as opposed to the mind’s interpretations.
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    Beyond the precepts : the relevance of ethics to mindfulness based interventions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Trevathan, Penelope
    Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are derived from Buddhism and have proliferated in modern society to enhance the psychological well-being of individuals. However, there has been concerns about the omission of ethical training, which is foundational to Buddhist conceptualizations of mindfulness. The reinstatement of ethics has the potential to enhance MBIs and mitigate these concerns but may not be relevant to a modern audience and a scientific epistemology. Western monastics whose lives traverse both traditional Buddhist practices and western frames of reference are uniquely positioned to explore Buddhist ethics and add insight to this dialogue. Prospective participants (n=7) were purposively selected from Buddhist monasteries in Aotearoa/New Zealand and participated in a semi-structured interview that elucidated the lived experience of Buddhist ethics and monastics' perspectives on the relevance of Buddhist ethics for western people and MBIs. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) resulted in six group experiential themes: Ethical training as a determinant of transformation; The psychospiritual benefits of ethical maturation; Barriers to ethical engagement; Where psychology diverges; Ethics meets the deeper needs of modern people and MBIs; Proposed adaptations to the presentation of Buddhist ethics. These were encapsulated in the overarching theme: An orientation towards flourishing and fulfilment. The participants’ narratives functioned to demystify ethics and outlined conceptualizations of ethics beyond the precepts, where ethics as an orientation towards collective flourishing through self-enquiry could support MBIs as a prophylaxis against the multitudinous psychological, relational, and societal harms that are the consequences of unethical behaviours to meet the deeper transformational needs of society.
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    The impact of cartoon animals on mind perception, moral standing, and cuteness : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2022) Pearce, Oscar
    Increased public interest in the conservation of endangered animals is critical for the continued survival of many threatened and endangered species around the world. However, our understanding of what influences public interest in endangered animals is limited. Previous research found correlational evidence suggesting cartoon animals can increased public interest and conservation support of endangered animals. The current study aimed to examine the physical and psychological characteristics of endangered animals that may lead to increase public interest. Specifically, we examined how cartoons and cuteness affected mind perception and moral standing of endangered animals. We also explored other potential predictors of moral standing. Six hundred and twenty eight participants from the United States (aged 18-81 years) were recruited via Prolific. Participants were randomly assigned one of 16 images depicting a cartoon or photo image of one of four endangered animals endemic to New Zealand. Mind perception, moral standing, cuteness, and general impression measures were administered. We found that while cartoon images had no impact on mind perception or moral standing compared to photo images, cuteness positively predicted attributions of mind perception and moral standing. An exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors of mind perception: sociality, autonomy, and fundamentality. Multiple linear regression modelling found that cuteness, sociality, and fundamentality positively predicted moral standing attributions of endangered animals. Furthermore, we found evidence to suggest that cuteness and beauty are related but distinct characteristics that impact moral standing attributions. Our results are consistent with previous research that supports an association between cuteness and general positive interactions with animals. Additionally, cuteness, sociality, fundamentality, and beauty were found to inform moral standing attributions of endangered animals. Our findings highlight the utility of cuteness to inform conservation goals of endangered animals via mind perception and moral standing. These results may help conservationists to identify more effective strategies to increase public interest in endangered animals.
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    A pilot study : can mindfulness help high performance athletes? : a Masters thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Psychology, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Rapley, Taylor
    To investigate whether mindfulness is effective for decreasing perceived stress in high performance athletes experiencing high levels of stress, the current single case pilot study (SCD) employed a Mindfulness Based Intervention (MBI) consisting of a video recorded mindfulness psychoeducation session, followed by the ‘1 Giant Mind – Learn to Meditate’ phone application. Participants (N = 3) were instructed to use the ‘1 Giant Mind – Learn to Meditate’ smartphone application and meditate once a day for 30 days. The study measured participants' perceived stress, psychological inflexibility, dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion at baseline, mid and post intervention. Mindfulness psychoeducation and meditation effectively decreased perceived stress and psychological inflexibility, and increased dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion from baseline to post intervention for all three participants, with a large group level effect across all four measures. Given that athletes are particularly vulnerable to experiencing the detriments of stress, this research is necessary to gain a better understanding of the benefits of mindfulness psychoeducation and meditation on high performance athletes experiencing high levels of stress.
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    The influence of social context on food-evoked emotion : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Nath, Elizabeth
    Emotion measurement has seen exponential growth in recent years as consumer and sensory scientists realise that our emotional responses to food are better at predicting choice and purchase behaviour compared to hedonic or sensory evaluations alone. However, despite a large body of evidence pointing to the context-dependent nature of emotion, insufficient attention has been placed on quantifying the impact of contextual variables on consumption emotion. In this thesis, I first investigate the effects of timing, location and social setting on explicit emotional responses using a survey methodology. It was found that social meals amplified positive emotion relative to solitary meals, and that sociality and location had a larger effect on self-reported emotion compared to meal timing. I then focus on social context effects on implicit emotion using facial electromyography as a measure of the expressive component of emotion. In two closely related experiments, participants’ facial affective responses were recorded as they viewed and rated food images in the presence of a researcher, a friend, or a stranger. Analyses revealed that facial muscle activity indicative of a disgust response was inhibited in the presence of a researcher but amplified in the presence of a co-acting stranger. These findings are discussed with reference to Basic Emotions Theory and the Behavioural Ecology View of facial expressions. Finally, in exploratory analyses, I consider temporal patterns of facial responding and discuss their relationships with social context and subjective preference. The findings presented in this thesis may hopefully serve as a springboard for further investigations into contextual influences on food-evoked emotion.