Sandie McHugh | University of Bolton (original) (raw)

Papers by Sandie McHugh

This thesis contains four studies, two concentrated on decisions on consumer loans and two on the... more This thesis contains four studies, two concentrated on decisions on consumer loans and two on the risk of repayment difficulties and payment protection insurance. For decisions on consumer loans, two experimental studies (N 241and N242) were conducted investigating the effect of information on consumer decisions. One provided personal bank loan scenarios varying total cost (TC) and annual percentage rate (APR) information; and the second credit card repayment and mortgage scenarios varying time, loan duration and TC between different versions. Total Cost, APR and time information were found to influence choice. The effect of these factors was not consistent in all the scenarios and individual analysis of each example indicate that the influence on choice is more complex than theories predict. It is argued that these results give some support to the hypothesis that people evaluate credit in terms of mental accounts specific to the decision context encountered. Two further questionnaire-based randomised group experiments, (N242 and N215), investigated participants’ preferences for credit and payment protection insurance (PPI) and their judgment of, and protection against risk were explored. Participants were presented with credit options with and without PPI, and with variations of cover and cost of PPI policies. They were requested to indicate on a 7 point scale how much they agreed or disagreed with a number of statements. The findings showed that take up of PPI was not sensitive to variations in cover and less sensitive to price than had been expected. It was found that previous experience of taking PPI; worry concerning future repayment difficulties; and anticipated worry reduction were better predictors of PPI preferences than were other variables, including the perceived risk of repayment difficulties. The studies were considered in reference to Oswald Huber’s model of risk management and found to provide limited support. It is argued that a complex interaction between affect, cognitive appraisal and anticipated emotion need to be considered to explain credit decisions and risk management, and the theoretical implications are discussed.

The Changing Nature of Happiness, 2017

The impact on the nature of happiness of technological and social changes from 1938 to 2014 is ex... more The impact on the nature of happiness of technological and social changes from 1938 to 2014 is explored. It outlines the advantages of the “consumer society”, but also the downsides, for some, of problem debt and discontent. The influence of the Internet age on community identification and the greater individualization and importance of leisure is discussed. Reported happiness levels are similar in both periods confirming the Easterlin Paradox. In 2014, happiness may be more materialistic with less inner peace and contentment. Family remains highly valued with chosen friendships replacing “giving to/helping others”. How much is enhanced happiness within the control of the individual or due to circumstances? As the link between health and happiness is recognized should the growth of GNP remain the primary government policy?

The chapter gives a brief background of the foundation of Mass Observation; explaining how Bolton... more The chapter gives a brief background of the foundation of Mass Observation; explaining how Bolton was studied as “Worktown” representing the industrial north of England. It provides details of the 1938 Happiness competition, the letters received, and the subsequent questionnaire. It outlines the background, methodology and processes of the replication of the 1938 Happiness competition by the University of Bolton’s Centre for Worktown Studies in collaboration with The Bolton News in 2014. It provides a summary of the main findings of both 1938 and 2014 surveys and considers the strengths and weaknesses of this method of data collection. An outline of the industrial and social conditions of Bolton in the 1930’s is contrasted with those of the twenty-first century.

The Changing Nature of Happiness, 2018

The original version of the book was inadvertently published with the following corrections: The ... more The original version of the book was inadvertently published with the following corrections: The abstract of Chapter 7 has been incorrectly placed in Chapter 6, which has been now corrected. Missed out contributors biographies have been included in Frontmatter.

Economic Psychology, 2017

This chapter first reviews research on the psychology of borrowing, beginning with an outline of ... more This chapter first reviews research on the psychology of borrowing, beginning with an outline of changes in borrowing over the years. It then draws on Kamleitner and Kirchler's three-stage model of the borrowing process, and presents theory and research on the determinants of personal borrowing (stage 1), credit choice processes (stage 2), and subsequent repayment strategies (stage 3). The chapter examines the causes and psychological consequences of over-indebtedness, and also considers the policy implications of the research reviewed. A growing body of research has shown that being in debt can lead to significant psychological detriment, including depression, stress and anxiety. The reviewed research suggests that helping students to understand credit cost measures such as annual percentage rate of interest (APR) may be particularly important. One way to do this would be via the teaching and learning of an approximate APR formula, essentially drawing attention to APR's relation to the average, rather than the initial loan.

The Changing Nature of Happiness, 2017

The editorial introduction summarizes the other chapters in the book. It notes the increasing int... more The editorial introduction summarizes the other chapters in the book. It notes the increasing interest in human happiness in the 21st century with initiatives from the United Nations and other national and international organizations to enhance happiness in the world. European politicians have included the subject in their rhetoric and policies. In Britain the Office of National Statistics was directed to collect data and publish reports. The debate on the relationship between wealth and happiness is introduced. What is happiness? The question of definition is explored supporting a link between happiness and general well-being. How can happiness be measured? These questions are considered with reference to the Mass Observation study in 1938 and that by The University in the town of Bolton in 2014.

World Leisure Journal, 2016

ABSTRACT This paper presents an analytical comparison of two surveys of subjective perceptions of... more ABSTRACT This paper presents an analytical comparison of two surveys of subjective perceptions of leisure and happiness. The first was undertaken in 1938 by Mass Observation for its ethnographic study of everyday working-class life in Bolton, or “Worktown”. Leisure was found to be important to happiness insofar as it formed part of an everyday communal life, working through friendship, the appreciation of music and enjoyment of nature, reading and involvement in informal active citizenship. The second survey was undertaken in 2014 as a part-replication of the 1938 survey, using the method adopted by Mass Observation of linking a series of everyday situations and experiences to happiness. A total of 489 self-selecting respondents completed a questionnaire modelled on that used in 1938. The 2014 survey revealed a number of important continuities and differences from the survey of 1938 and the importance of leisure as an agent of happiness rose from eighth place in 1938 to third place in 2014.

World Leisure Journal, 2017

ABSTRACT Modern understandings of leisure have formed in terms of its relationship to work. The e... more ABSTRACT Modern understandings of leisure have formed in terms of its relationship to work. The effects of industrialization in the western world are well known, regulating time for leisure and, through urbanization, producing social scientific definitions of leisure as either a civic good or a social problem requiring surveillance and regulation. Current predictions of a rapid quantitative decline in work are therefore of serious social, economic and psychological concern, raising questions about the meanings of leisure without work. This paper reviews the historical formation of work–leisure relationships. It then considers predictions of the impact of further technological change on the future of work and proposals for a universal basic income, and the implications of these for free time and leisure. Finally, it reviews the new focus on well-being in academic research and in government policy in the UK, and discusses the importance of leisure in terms of enjoyment of life, meaningful activity and social participation.

Health & Social Care in the Community, 2021

This chapter outlines the findings from the Worktown (1938) and Bolton (2014) Happiness data. The... more This chapter outlines the findings from the Worktown (1938) and Bolton (2014) Happiness data. The frequency of happiness and the role of luck were similar. There were differences between the two databases in the time of the week and the place that residents were happiest. The ranking of the 10 Aspects of Happiness changed with Good Humour and Leisure moving into the top 3, whilst Knowledge and Religion went to lower positions in 2014. Qualitative analysis of happiness letters and comments revealed different categorical frequencies, with contentment and peace of mind being the highest in Worktown and free time activities in 2014 Bolton. The aspects of change and continuity in the perceptions of happiness are explored and possible explanations are discussed.

Journal of Public Mental Health

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate early psychological concomitants of the Covid-19 pandemic i... more PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate early psychological concomitants of the Covid-19 pandemic in England on a sample of younger and older people.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional quantitative questionnaire (n = 1608) was conducted on the Prolific website. Participants completed the PERMA Scale (Flourishing), the four Office of National Statistics (ONS4) Well-being Questions, the Clinical Outcomes Measure in Routine Evaluation (CORE-10) and the short University of California Los Angeles Brief Loneliness Scale.FindingsData were gathered on March 18, 2020, near the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This study looks at the effects of the developing pandemic on younger participants (18 to 25 years, n = 391) and older participants (60 to 80 years, n = 104). Flourishing levels for older participants were significantly higher (M = 107.96) than for younger participants (M = 97.80). Younger participants scored significantly higher on the ONS4 for anxiety and lower than the older pa...

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2016

What is happiness? What does happiness mean for you and yours?” This is what Bolton readers of th... more What is happiness? What does happiness mean for you and yours?” This is what Bolton readers of the Evening News were asked on 28th April 1938. These Worktown inhabitants expressed their ideas in letters and by completing a questionnaire on Aspects of Happiness as part of the Mass Observation Project. The original competition judged by Professor John Hilton has been repeated in the Bolton News during a Happiness Week 10-14.2.14. The newspaper printed articles on happiness and extracts from the mass observation happiness material. Participants were invited to complete an on-line survey on the newspaper’s website or collect a paper version from Bolton museum and libraries. The 1938 questionnaire included a table of 10 aspects of happiness in which respondents were requested to rank in their preferred order. These were equality, politics, beauty, religion, leadership, humour, leisure, knowledge, security and action. The original questions have been retained in 2014 with some explanation...

The Changing Nature of Happiness, 2017

The Changing Nature of Happiness, 2018

Economic Psychology, 2017

The Changing Nature of Happiness, 2017

World Leisure Journal, 2016

World Leisure Journal, 2017

Health & Social Care in the Community, 2021

Journal of Public Mental Health

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2016

Objectives of research Most people want to be happy. But how do we define what happiness is and... more Objectives of research
Most people want to be happy. But how do we define what happiness is and how do we maintain that happy state? There appears to be no definitive answer to these questions considered down the ages and in our own time. The Mass Observation Movement collected data in Bolton in 1938 with residents giving their personal views on happiness. The University of Bolton in collaboration with The Bolton News replicated the 1938 exercise in 2014. We examine the differences in the concept of happiness seventy six years later and explore the role of changes in culture and identity. We can learn from the data how people define happiness, and what is suggested for enhancement.

Design and Method
The 1938 letter writers (N=226) responded to the question “What does happiness mean for you and yours?” Two psychologists coded the responses using the Nvivo programme. The 2014 on-line and paper questionnaire (N=489) asked people to comment on the things in life that made them happy. The coding exercises identified dominant categories.

Results
In 1938 the main categories were personal relationships; community, money; employment; health; activities and personal attributes. In 2014 questionnaire they were: - activities; family and friends; personal development; economics, the natural world and community.

Conclusions
Although the self-report nature of the data is a limitation it was collected in different economic and social conditions and will enable similarities and contrasts to be made. It can inform urban Health Initiatives on the components of wellbeing that could be targeted for enhancement. It will contribute to a positive psychology educational package and to the domain of happiness and wellbeing studies with a unique approach based on the Mass Observation archive in Bolton.