Brittani J Oldham | Bucks New University (original) (raw)

Uploads

Drafts by Brittani J Oldham

Postgraduate literature review on Attention , 2020

The attentional system can be described as the ‘filter’ that allows us to select relevant sensory... more The attentional system can be described as the ‘filter’ that allows us to select relevant sensory information to be processed, whilst filtering out the non- task-relevant information (Gobet et al., 2011). However, this definition of selective attention does not account for the task-irrelevant information that is bought into our conscious awareness (Cherry, 1953). To account for this deficit, perceptual load theory was created to shift the debate from the locus of the selective filter to the complexity of sensory information, known as load (Lavie, 1995). This discussion will critique the early models of selective attention (Broadbent, 1966; (Deutsch & Deutsch, 1963) and how they compare to Lavie’s (2004) perceptual load theory.

Bucks New University , 2019

Although serial killing was only defined in 1988, there is still more research to be conducted in... more Although serial killing was only defined in 1988, there is still more research to be conducted into the causes of this phenomena. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to look into potential causes of serial killing, with emphasis on social, biological and cognitive psychology. A plethora of literature and various case studies of incarcerated serial killers have been used to support or debunk the theories explored.

Serial murderer is classified as the murder of 3 or more victims by the same offender, over multiple locations with the presence of a cooling off period (Ressler et al, 1988). Definitional problems with defining serial murder has led to confusion when classifying murder and therefore its causes. Social psychology explores the nurture side of the ‘nature vs nurture’ debate, with emphasis on childhood trauma, re-enactment and self-evaluation. Biological psychology explores the nature side of the debate, with emphasis on chromosomal abnormalities, a biological predisposition for crime and other biological functions. Cognitive psychology explores how brain dysfunctions can lead to serial murder, with emphasis on head injury causing frontal lobe damage. Lastly, personality disorders are explored in relation to social, biological and cognitive psychology and how they link to serial killing.

After reviewing the evidence, it is reasonable to suggest that there is not one singular cause of serial killing, rather a variety of social, biological and cognitive factors and that can cause someone to be susceptible or expedite the process of becoming a serial killer.

Papers by Brittani J Oldham

The Mind-Body Problem: A Critical Discussion, 2020

The mind-body problem is a philosophical dilemma that concerns the relationship between the mind ... more The mind-body problem is a philosophical dilemma that concerns the relationship between the mind and body of humans (Garcia-Albea, 2018). This question arises when the mind is viewed as a metaphysical construct, separate from the body in its entirety (Descartes, 1953). Theories ranging from the early Greeks philosophers to modern day neuroscientists aim to show how the mind works in tandem with the physical body and if they are indeed separate entities.
This mind-body problem was first defined by Descartes (1953), as the relationship between the immaterial, thinking mind and the material, non-thinking and reactionary body. However, this concept was debated long before Descartes’s (1953) theory, with the likes of Aristotle and Plato both proposing that the mind and body are comprised of two entirely separate entities. This thesis will discuss the development of the mind-body problem as well as its comparison to other theories and disciplines, such as the neuroscientific approach and functionalism (Brysbaert & Rastle, 2013).

Radicalisation and Islamophobia , 2018

The aim of this analysis is to establish whether there is a link between radicalisation and islam... more The aim of this analysis is to establish whether there is a link between radicalisation and islamophobia. The phenomenon that is Islamic radicalisation revolves around the recruitment of citizens to their ideologies, often manifesting itself in the form of violence (Cilluffo,2013). Radicalisation lacks a universally accepted definition, making its use in counter terrorism and radicalisation strategy difficult.