Email: david.barron@my.westminster.ac.uk 

Background

I completed my B. A. (Hons.) Psychology at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, in 2008.  I followed this with an MRes. Research Methods in Psychology at the same University.  In 2010, I joined the University of Westminster.

Title of research

Auditory Event-related potential correlates of schizotypy: exploring cross cultural influences

(Supervisors: Dr Kevin Morgan, Professor Tony Towell and Professor Gerard Hutchinson*) 

*University of the West Indies

Abstract

The primary aims of this project are to examine, in a non-clinical sample: the extent to which abnormal thinking styles such as paranoia and magical ideation are associated with neurophysiological activity, examine how rates of schizotypy vary across healthy populations differing in ethnicity and country of residence, study the extent to which variations in cultural background and ethnicity impact up associations of schizotypy ratings and ERP amplitudes.  To conduct this investigation a cross-sectional correlational design will be used in which participants will be drawn from three diverse ethnic groups of: (a) London based white British participants, (b) African-Caribbean participants resident in London and (c) African-Caribbean participants resident in Trinidad (Port of Spain).   We will record/examine neurophysiological activity during P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) experiments.  Abnormal thinking styles will be rated using an established measure of schizotypy (the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, SPQ).   

Publications/Presentations