Feelings of control: The effects of depression, context and contingency learning
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Experimental Psychology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Rachel Msetfi (Principal Investigator) | |
| Robin Murphy (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Byrom NC
(2018)
Human latent inhibition: Problems with the stimulus exposure effect.
in Psychonomic bulletin & review
Byrom NC
(2015)
Two pathways to causal control: use and availability of information in the environment in people with and without signs of depression.
in Acta psychologica
Castiello S
(2020)
Traits for depression related to agentic and external control
in Learning and Motivation
Castiello S
(2020)
Traits for depression related to agentic and external control
Kornbrot DE
(2013)
Time perception and depressive realism: judgment type, psychophysical functions and bias.
in PloS one
Msetfi R
(2016)
SSRI enhances sensitivity to background outcomes and modulates response rates: A randomized double blind study of instrumental action and depression
in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Msetfi R
(2013)
Context and Time in Causal Learning: Contingency and Mood Dependent Effects
in PLoS ONE
Msetfi RM
(2015)
The relationship between mood state and perceived control in contingency learning: effects of individualist and collectivist values.
in Frontiers in psychology
Msetfi RM
(2012)
Dysphoric Mood States are Related to Sensitivity to Temporal Changes in Contingency.
in Frontiers in psychology
Msetfi RM
(2012)
The effect of mild depression on time discrimination.
in Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006)
| Description | Objectives: This project was designed to discover the relationships between people's feelings of control as they relate to mental health, specifically depression. To this end we developed psychological tools and assessment procedures for validating agentic behaviour, i.e., the extent to which someone feels that they are in control. We set out to map people's judgements of their control and behaviour in relation to (i) learning in interactive contexts (i.e., environments), (ii) to understand context processing and its relation to depression, (iii) to understand people's responsivity to feedback and response dynamics in time, and (iv) changes in behaviour as a result of causal experience. Knowledge: A key achievement in relation to objectives (i) and (ii) is that we have an evidence base for key differences between non-depressed and mildly depressed people in relation to feelings of control. We have developed a computational description of this evidence that provides a causal explanation in terms of cognitive or mental processes. Another key achievement in relation to objectives (iii) and (iv) is understanding the relation between action and action feedback and its impact on feelings of control. People without depression work harder and produce higher levels of behaviour in reward sparse situations, in comparison to situations where rewards are very frequent. This reward dependency seems to facilitate their perceptions of control. People with depressive symptoms produce high levels of reward-focussed activity irrespective of reward availability. However, and importantly, constraints on people's activities can inhibit a natural behavioural pathway to overcoming any perceived lack of control. If circumstances are created in which free natural behaviour is permitted, perceptions of un-controllability can be eliminated in people with symptoms of depression. Behaviour itself may be rewarding, being agentic is part of a positive feedback loop that facilitates learning. We have also explored the link between feelings of control and symptoms of anxiety and mood disturbance and the universal human condition. Control depends strongly on the cultural values that the individual holds or aspires to. Dissonance between values and perceived control was linked to poorer psychological wellbeing. An important contribution is that associative learning theory can explain cultural differences in learning theory. |
| Exploitation Route | The maximum potential impact will be realised by translating these findings and future work from the Laboratory into the real world, and interventions for mood disturbances and to promote mental healthiness. We are continuing to work to this end together with engineers, IT specialists and psychiatrists in order to develop mHealth delivered measures and interventions related to everyday control and depression. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | http://judgementexperiment.com/RachelMsetfi/Feelings_of_control.html |
| Description | During this project we have engaged with academic audiences and the general public, through general media (Irish Times; Radio Limerick 95FM), science and health media (e.g., News Medical; Dana.org), Professional Media (e.g., British Psychological Society) social networking (https://twitter.com/MsetfiLab) and web activity (http://www.judgementexperiment.com/RachelMsetfi/Rachel_Msetfi_Research.html). Scientific impact has been achieved as project findings have been disseminated at academic audiences in the UK, EU and US, including 13 conferences presentations on psychopathology, neuroscience and experimental psychology, as well as invited 3 symposia and 11 publications in peer reviewed journals. Public engagement has been key for societal impact. The key goal is to improve public knowledge and understanding about depression and relevant psychological processes. We have used social networking methods and are maintaining a project website as one direct means of public engagement. However, we have also released statements to the press with the event of new findings. This means that our work has been featured widely in general, science and professional health media. The work has also been a touchstone for gathering other researchers interesting in associative processes as they apply to mental health and individual differences. We were the editors of free ebook publication with Frontiers in Psychology (Frontiers Media SA) resulted in an 11 paper cutting edge analysis, with international authorship, of how learning methods can be used in depression and other disorders (e.g., compulsive gambling etc). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Article on time perception and depression in Irish Medical times |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article in Irish Medical times on our recent publication |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.imt.ie/clinical/2013/09/depressed-have-more-precise-time-estimation.html |
| Description | Interview with News-Medical.net on time and depression |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Interview with News Medical .net on paper on depression and causal learning, this article was tweeted and retweeted. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130516/Depression-and-time-perception-an-interview-with-Dr-Rachel... |
| Description | Irish Times article on time perception and depression |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Irish Times article on our research on depression and time perception |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/unthinkable-is-the-passing-of-time-just-an-illusion-1.1634610 |
| Description | Press coverage of time and depressive realism paper in Plos 2013 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | http://www.naukawpolsce.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news,396807,osoby-z-depresja-licza-czas-dokladniej.html http://www.universitiesnews.com/2013/08/22/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+universitiesnews%2FeTKu+%28Universities+News%29 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/265211.php http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-08-depressed-people-accurate-perception.html http://www.yourpsychology.com/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time-2.html?amp;co=f000000009816s-1158206718 http://rxjournals.com/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time/ http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=265211 http://www.sharjahclinics.com/healthNews/20842/BNB/Depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time.html?q=3&pn=2&hnss=#.Uh3aGH_fKSo http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/216634470/scat/48af4ef4eaa241d8 http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130823/Research-shows-depressed-people-are-more-accurate-with-time-estimation.aspx http://www.healthecareers.com/news/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time/173373 http://www.biospace.com/News/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception/306631/source=Featured http://www.medconf.gr/?p=1896&co=f000000009816s-1158206718 http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time/depression/ http://www.topix.com/health/depression/2013/08/130822BSIA0N http://dailyme.com/story/2013082200002417/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time https://www.theinnoplex.com/news/newssub/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time http://www.mybiologica.com/6457/good-living/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time.html http://computermagazine.com/2013/08/22/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time/ http://www.newsxs.com/en/go/13341836/ScienceDaily/ http://esciencenews.com/sources/science.daily/2013/08/22/depressed.people.have.a.more.accurate.perception.time http://www.alternavox.net/20406/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time/?amp;co=f000000009816s-1158206718 http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=133822&CultureCode=en http://news.cision.com/university-of-hertfordshire/r/depressed-people-have-a-more-accurate-perception-of-time,c9454645 http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2013/aug/22/research-in-brief-universities-august?CMP=twt_gu http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130822090326.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fliving_well+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Living+Well+News%29 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We have set up and maintained a website describing project work, outcomes and providing support information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
| URL | http://judgementexperiment.com/RachelMsetfi/Rachel_Msetfi_Research.html |
| Description | Youtube video discussing our research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Youtube video for information about our research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.imt.ie/clinical/2013/09/depressed-have-more-precise-time-estimation.html |