University of Tasmania, Australia

The Clinical, Forensic and Professional Laboratory conducts research that examines clinical and forensic behaviours and events using a personalised, staged, script-driven, guided imagery methodology. This methodology allows for the examination of the psychophysiological and psychological responses of an individual to an event that they have experienced. Research to date has focused on topics such as self-mutilation, self-poisoning, nail-biting, occupational stress, posttraumatic stress following motor vehicle accident trauma and physical assault, blood-injury phobia, shoplifting, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, alcohol relapse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, homicide, dissociative identity disorder, malingering and lie detection, irrational belief endorsement, road rage.

The Cognitive and Motor Ageing Laboratory (CAMAL) encompasses an area of research dedicated to the study of individual differences in the process of ageing at the behavioural and neural levels of analysis. This work involves the use of the electrophysiological techniques, electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). By examining individual differences in the neural responses to cognitive and motor ageing and their association to performance, we hope to shed light on why some individuals show resilience in ageing. Externally funded research projects include the application of TMS and EEG protocols to investigate age-related changes in facilitatory and inhibitory processes within the motor cortex during the performance of coordination tasks. A related project is examining the functional significance of additional areas of brain activation observed in some older adults during cognitive task performance. Another important direction of our current research is the investigation of the whether non-pharmacological cognitive intervention programs can provide an effective means to preserve the functional ability of healthy older adults and persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) over clinically meaningful periods of time

Stroke Research details

Research in the Human Movement and Neuroscience (HuMAN) Laboratory examines the interactions between the cognitive and motor systems and how these interactions give rise to skilled movement. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electromyography, our research investigates the neural reorganisation that occurs in response to motor learning and skill acquisition, and in response to injury or degeneration of the central nervous system. Motor behaviour is studied using a 3D motion tracking system (OptoTrak Certus), instrumented two-joint and single-joint levers for recording of arm and leg movements and force plates for measuring postural stability and gait. Specific research projects include:

• Understanding the neural mechanisms that underlie the acquisition of motor skills and how these mechanisms are influenced by cognitive processes such as attention
• Potential therapeutic benefits of interhemispheric interactions in stroke-impaired populations
• Therapy-induced neural reorganisation after stroke; neural correlates of attention
• The acquisition of bimanual coordination patterns

Current research focuses on identifying core processes involved in emotion perception, emotion regulation and cognition. Specific research theme areas include: sex differences in emotion perception and regulation, neural and autonomic changes following exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, emotional memory processing, neural effects of drugs and alcohol, fear-potentiated startle, and fear conditioning and extinction. The laboratory is equipped with a 64-channel Neuroscan system for recording EEG activity and deriving event-related potentials. An integrated psychophysiological system (AD Instruments) can record concurrent skin conductance, heart rate and EMG data alongside the EEG system. A portable 32-channel system is also available for data collection off-site.

Projects currently under investigation include:

• Psychophysiological and behavioural research investigating the effects of gender, anxiety, trauma, various substances, emotion and attention on behavioural, cognitive and neural processes
• Cognitive and neural processes involved in cognitive behavioural therapy of anxiety disorders
• The effects of cortisol, noradrenaline, menstrual phase and emotion regulation style on emotional memory

The driving and drugs laboratory is equipped with a STISIM M400 Driving Simulator. This provides a validated and rich assessment of driving performance that can be safely applied to examine the effects of drugs, medications, or other aspects of impaired cognitive functioning on driving quality. Drivers have a 140 degree view including rear and side mirrors, and the system has a full-sized steering wheel, dashboard, foot pedals and standard car seat to maximise the simulated driving experience.

The Clinical Neuropsychology group is continuing studies, both cognitive and psychosocial, involving head-injured people and people with Parkinson’s Disease. The group also researches working memory (verbal, visual and spatial) and the interrelationships of executive functions. Current research projects include:

• Assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning in neurological patients
• Evaluation of neurological rehabilitation processes and their outcome
• A population study of head injury in southern Tasmania

Clinical Psychometric

1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, children & adults)
   Measurement issues (see below); theoretical models (state regulation deficit)


2. Measurement (psychometrics) in clinical psychology
   Applications of structural equation models (SEM; including structural circumplex models) and item response theory (IRT) in clinical psychology: evaluation of psychometric properties of clinical measures, especially DSM-IV based measures; scale development and revision; invariance issues across clinical and non-clinical groups, sex, culture and ethnic groups; evaluation of trait, method and error variances


3. Biological theories of personality
   Relevance of Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) of personality to the development of social cognitions and relational schemas (family, attachment, relationship with parents), and Beck's cognitive model and therapy for the affective, mood and impulsive control disorders, and anger


4. Resilience and positive psychology
   Applications of resiliency models involving family as the protective factor

The HealthCOPE Group focuses on the development and trial of innovatove health interventions. The lab develops interventions designed to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle, or to enhance adjustment in patients and families coping with major health problems, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. HealthCOPE interventions are designed to be delivered in a range of formats such as via DVD, internet, telephone or face-to-face format.

Research investigates the development and use of language, both spoken and written. Areas of investigation include early word-learning in toddlers, children’s gradual understanding of grammatical categories such as noun and verb, and the development and use of spelling and reading strategies in children and adults. Both normal and disordered acquisition is studied. Also investigated is the effect of task instructions on children’s performance on cognitive tasks. Student research interest in any of these broad areas is welcomed.

The Psychopharmacology & Clinical Psychopathology (PCP) group examines areas such as the dynamics of illicit drug markets, and the health and, more specifically, neuropsychological sequelae of use of illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, MDMA and cannabis. Other research areas include the psychopathology of psychosis, and the pharmacological and psychological treatment of severe persistent mental illnesses.

The Social Development group focuses on research into aspects of family and peer relationships, such as how gender differences within the family influences social-emotional development. The lab also focuses on research into changes in social support networks across the lifespan.

Current research interests include:

• Exploring how parental factors such as attachment and familial support influence children’s anxiety
• The differential contribution mothers and fathers make to children’s anxiety and whether these parental behaviours differ for sons and daughters