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Department News

Body image perceptions take shape from early childhood

New research by our Department of Psychology has determined that our perceptions of body image are shaped by what we see from as early as seven years old.
Child observing body image stimuli on a computer screen

Professor Graham Towl appointed to key crime reduction role

Professor Graham Towl has been appointed as the new chair of the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR) which is a key role to help reduce crime in Scotland.
Graham Towl leaning against a fence

Oldest engravings of fishing discovered in Ice Age art

New research has revealed 15,800-year-old engravings of catching fish in traps.
The engraving shows a fish is fusiform in shape, showing the head, dorsal, and ventral sections, with a partially visible forked tail.

Bonobos and chimps give insight into early human sexual behaviour

Using sex to manage social tension dates back over six million years to humans’ common ape ancestor, according to a new study.
A group of bonobos at Lola ya BonobA group of bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, DR Congo.o Sanctuary, DR Congo.

Understanding early human cave art

A psychological phenomenon where people see meaningful forms in random patterns, such as seeing faces in clouds, may have stimulated early humans to make cave art.
A Palaeolithic painting of an aurochs from the cave of La Pasiega. The artist traced the natural cracks in the cave wall when painting the head, horns, and back leg of the animal

Chimpanzees are not pets, no matter what social media tells you

Research Associate Jake Brooker from our Department of Psychology studies the social and emotional behaviour of great apes. He explains that social media needs to recognise that putting exotic animals in a human context isn't cute and reflects animal abuse.
A chimpanzee looking directly into the camera

Development of communication in chimpanzees echoes that of human infants

Our closest living relatives could help us better understand how communication evolved in humans and how our own language skills emerge.
A young chimpanzee stands in grassland

Leading Forensic Psychologist appointed chair of regional research network

Congratulations to Professor Graham Towl who has been appointed the new Chair of a regional network of experts in prison and offender health and social care.
Graham Towl smiling wearing a suit and leaning against railings

Electrical currents delivered to the brain at home may lead to significant reductions in depression symptoms

Professor Amanda Ellison from our Department of Psychology explains how neuromodulation therapy could be delivered at home as a promising treatment for some patients with depression.
An abstract illustration of a brain with electrical activity

Research says talking to toddlers shapes early brain development

New research reveals that talking to babies and toddlers helps shape their developing brain.
An image of two parents interacting with a young child

New research finds link between poor air quality and impaired cognition in infants

New research has found poor air quality could be causing cognitive deficits in babies and toddlers.
Image of smoke filling air

New research shows why some children may be slower to learn words

A new research study has revealed why some children may be slower to learn words than others.
A woman interacting with an infant child using objects
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