DBS Psychology Poster Conference 2019

Each year the Department of Psychology showcase the dissertation research project work of the final year B.A. (Hons) Psychology and Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology students. This year, students from across the two programmes presented their work at the poster conference, with supervisors and other year groups in attendance. The Poster Conference allows students to display and discuss the research findings from their independent piece of research in a professional environment.  The dissertation and poster presentations are the culmination of a year of hard work by the students, and this event provides them with an opportunity to share and communicate their work to their friends, classmates and staff.

The conference consisted of several sessions during the day and evening, where students presented during an assigned one-hour session, and discussed their work with fellow classmates, students, supervisors and examiners. The examiner in each case discussed the project with the student over a 10 minute period. For those who attended, it was evident that every session was full of the chatter of passionate students discussing and defending the development of their research questions, the resulting findings, and proposed research directions. This provided the students with an opportunity to develop their research presentation skills, and summarise their findings in a succinct, accessible way, both of which are very beneficial to academic and non-academic work. Similarly, the conference provided the occasion for other year groups to attend, where they could learn from the presenters, generate ideas for their own final year projects, and experience poster conferences well in advance of their own final year presentations.

The standard of work was excellent, and notwithstanding the research listed below, included some fascinating research on the imposter phenomenon, mental toughness and mental health, social media, experiences post-amputation, dark triad, aggression and video gaming, pets ownership and mental health, sexism and gender equality, and aggression in driving.

Following the conference, awards were given for best poster in each year group, with a prize-giving ceremony. The certificates of excellence were presented to each awardee and a voucher was also awarded to first place in each year group. These were presented by Andrew Conlan-Trant, Executive Dean of DBS, and Dr. Pauline Hyland, Head of Undergraduate Psychology Research. Also, in attendance were Dr Rosie Reid, Dr John Hyland and Dr Garry Prentice.

BA (Hons) Psychology - full-time

1^st: Benjamin Kimmel
Supervisor: Dr John Hyland
Project: The Effects of Reading Song Lyrics on Prosocial and Aggressive Behaviour, and on Homophobic Attitudes

2^nd: Mary-Louise McCloskey
Supervisor: Dr Garry Prentice
Project: Exercise and Eating habits of University Students in relation to their Body Image and Life-Satisfaction

Joint 3^rd: Holli Dunne
Supervisor: Dr Garry Prentice
Project: The Functional and Psychological Impacts ACL injuries have on Female Basketball Athletes

Joint 3^rd: Niamh Duffy
Supervisor: Dr Pauline Hyland
Project: Human interaction, online identity, the role of media content, engaging in cyber- aggression and prosocial behaviour

BA (Hons) Psychology - part-time

1^st: Idelle Hawkins
Supervisor: Dr Ronda Barron
Project: Exploring the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Organisational Commitment in an Irish Healthcare Organisation

Joint 2^nd: Aoife Eviston
Supervisor: Dr Chris Gibbons
Project: Understanding Police Stress, Coping and Burnout in the Irish Police Service, An Garda Síochána.

Joint 2^nd: Wendy Quinn
Supervisor: Dr Pauline Hyland
Project: Academic procrastination: the role of stress, self-efficacy, self-esteem, age & gender on undergraduate students

HDip Psychology- full-time

1^st: Amy Buckley
Supervisor: Dr Lucie Corcoran
Project: The brain-gut-microbiome axis: assessing the relationship between gastrointestinal experiences and mental health

HDip Psychology - part-time

1^st: Donal McGovern
Supervisor: Dr Patricia Orr
Project: Smartphone Ownership, Usage and Addiction Proneness in Preadolescents - Implications for Quality of Life

Joint 2^nd: Catriona Kennedy
Supervisor: Dr John Hyland
Project: The Effects of Frequency of Fortnite-Exposure on Self-Esteem, Empathy and Friendships in Pre-Adolescent Boys

Joint 2^nd: Hannah Deering
Supervisor: Dr Garry Prentice
Project: Cervical cancer prevention: Theory of planned behaviour and associated factors influencing women’s screen intentions