Psychological professor to lecture (From This is Hampshire)

Psychological professor to lecture

7:18pm Monday 11th February 2008 in News

THE President of the British Psychological Society, Professor Pam Maras from the University of Greenwich, is to give a public lecture at 7pm on February 20 at Winchester University in an event organised by the British Psychological Society Wessex Branch.

The application of psychology to society is a key message of the British Psychological Society.

In this open lecture Prof Maras will draw on data from a large research study as an example of the application of social psychology in the context of education and Aimhigher' a government widening participation initiative aimed at increasing opportunities for young people who, though able, might not normally go on to Higher Education (HE) because of their social backgrounds.

More than 3,500 students aged 13 - 18 in a London Borough, completed the specially designed Attitudes to Higher Education Questionnaire which measures individuals social identification with school, peers and family, academic self concept, general self-worth, motivation and attitudes toward higher education. Six focus groups were also held with a sample of students in order to explore the students' attitudes and aspirations in more depth.

Professor Maras' recent research is in social inclusion, children and young people's motivation, self-concept and personal and social identity, mainly in applied settings such as schools, where the aims are to raise achievement, increase access to higher education and reduce pupils' disaffection and anti- social behaviour.

The lecture will be held in the Stripe Building at the University of Winchester.