Dr John Colwell
Telephone: 020 7911 5000 ext. 2154
Email: j.colwell@wmin.ac.uk
John graduated with BSc (Hons) Psychology, and PhD, from the University of Aberdeen where he studied under the supervision of John Shepherd, in the area of defensive attribution. He joined the University of Westminster in 2004 where he is now a Principal Lecturer in Psychology.
His current main research focus is on computer and video games, and the possible short and long term effects that playing them may have on adolescents. He is currently an Associate Editor of Simulation and Gaming (Sage Journals).
His main teaching area is research methods and statistics, on the Graduate Diploma in Psychology. On the BSc(Hons) Psychology degree course he is Module Leader for the final year dissertation, and he is also the Coordinator for the optional Psychology Placement Year, which he developed, and which was implemented in the 2007/8 academic year.
He has been Chair of the University Research Ethics Committee since 2007, and he led the development of a new Code of Practice governing the Ethical Conduct of Research, for implementation across the University in 2010/11. He is also Chair of the Departmental Ethics Committee, and a member of the University Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.
Publications and Conferences
Ferguson, C.J., Colwell, J., Mlačić, B., Milas, G., Mikloušić, I. (2011). Personality and media influences on violence and depression in a cross-national sample of young adults: Data from Mexican-Americans, English and Croatians. Computers in Human Behaviour, 27(3), 1195 - 1200
Dewart, H. Colwell, J. Borrill, J.: (2011) The experience of implementing a Psychology Work Placement year. Teaching of Psychology Conference Vancouver
Ryder, K., Borrill, J., Powell-Williams K., Colwell, J. (2011). Not 'just a student'; A qualitative exploration of business, psychology and law students' accounts of their placement experience. Presentation at The Journal of Vocational Education and Training Ninth International Conference, Worcester College, Oxford, 8-10th July
Dewart, H., Colwell, J., & Borrill, J. (2010) Managing change: The experience of implementing a work placement year in psychology. Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference. Edinburgh Napier University 30 June – 2 July
Dewart, H., & Colwell, J. (2009). A Work Placement Year in Psychology. 2nd International Conference on the Teaching of Psychology Vancouver July
Colwell, J. (2007) Needs met through computer game play among adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 2072-2082
Colwell, J. (2007) An empirical test of sex differences in the emphasis on physical attractiveness in mate selection Perceptual and Motor Skills, 105, 326-338
Colwell, J. (2007) Needs met through computer game play among adolescents European Congress of Psychology, Prague, July
Myers, D. & Colwell, J. (Eds.) (2005, December). Video games: Issues in research and learning (Part 1). Simulation & Gaming
Myers, D. & Colwell, J. (Eds.) (2006, March). Video games: Issues in research and learning (Part 2). Simulation & Gaming
Colwell, John, & Kato, Makiko. (2005). Video game play in British and Japanese adolescents. Simulation & Gaming, 36 (4), 518-530
Colwell, J. & O'Connor, T. (2004). Nurture groups: theoretical background and research on their effectiveness. Education and Health, 22, 2, 24-27.
Colwell, J., & O'Connor, T. (2003). understanding nurturing practices - a comparison of the use of strategies likely to enhance self-esteem in nurture groups and normal classrooms. British Journal of Special Education, 30, 3. 119 - 124.
Colwell, J., & Kato, M. (2003). An investigation of the relationship between social isolation, aggression, and computer game play in Japanese adolescents. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 6, 149-158 .
Colwell, J. & Kato, M. (2003). A comparison of negative correlates of computer game play in UK and Japanese adolescents. International Simulation and Gaming Association Conference, Kazusa Akademia Park, Chiba, Japan, August.
Colwell, J., & Culverwell, A. (2002). An examination of the relationship between cycle training, cycle accidents, attitudes, and cycle behaviour. Ergonomics, 45, 9, 640-648.
Lupton, K., Colwell, J. & Bayley, M. (2002). Aspects of children's road crossing behaviour. Municipal Engineer, 2, 151-157.
O'Connor, T., & Colwell, J. (2002). The effectiveness and rationale of the 'nurture group' approach to helping children with emotional and behavioural difficulties within mainstream education. British Journal of Special Education, 29, 2, 96 100
Lupton, K. & Colwell, J. (2001). Sometimes they don't stop, they just slow down. Inroads, Journal of the Institute of Road Safety Engineers, 21(6), February.
Marks, D., & Colwell, J. (2001). Fooling and falling into the effect of being stared at. Skeptical Inquirer, 25, 2, 62 -63
Colwell, J. & Payne, J. (2000). Negative correlates of computer game play in adolescents. British Journal of Psychology, 91, 295-310.
Colwell, J., Schroder, S. and Sladen, D (2000). The ability to detect unseen staring: A literature review and empirical tests. British Journal of Psychology, 91, 71-85.
Colwell, J., & Cockerton, T. (2000). What teachers need to know about child pedestrian safety: Pointers for your next lesson. Education and Health, 18, 4, 75-78.
Marks, D., & Colwell, J. (2000). The psychic staring effect. An artifact of pseudo randomisation. Skeptical Inquirer, 24, 5, 41-49.
Colwell, J., Grady, C., & Rhaiti, S. (1995). Computer games, self-esteem, and gratification of needs in teenagers.Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 5, 195-206
Chansarker, B, & Colwell, J. (1995). Prescription charges and independent pharmacists. Occasional Paper Number 20, MiddlesexUniversityBusinessSchool, 1-19.
Sigger, J., & Colwell, J. (1995). Computer games, aggression, and self-esteem in adolescents. The London Conference of the British Psychological Society, December
Colwell J.& Culkin N. (1995). What do elderly people really think of their lot? Elders: The Journal of Care and Practice, 4, 2, 5 16.
Colwell, J., & Chansarker, B. (1993). Higher prescription charges: Implications for pharmacists. The Pharmaceutical Journal,251, 194 - 197
Colwell, J.(1990). Qualitative Market Research: A conceptual analysis and review of practitioner criteria. Journal of the Market Research Society, 1. 13 - 36
Bayne, R., Fletcher, C., & Colwell, J. (1983). Board and sequential interviews in selection. Personnel Review, 12, 14 - 19
Bayne, R., Fletcher, C., & Colwell, J. (1980). Do sequential interviews provide better evidence than boards?' Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Occupational Psychology Section, British Psychological Society, YorkUniversity, 2 - 5 January.
Bayne, R., Colwell, J., & Fletcher, C. (1980). An experimental comparison of board and sequential interviewing' Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society, AberdeenUniversity, 1 - 4 April
