Professor Peter Lovibond
ABOUT ME
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Biography
My research area is associative learning. I did my PhD at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç and a postdoc at Cambridge University in the field of animal conditioning. I then came back to Australia to complete a degree in clinical psychology, and took up my first academic position at the University of Sydney. I now work at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç in human associative learning and its applications. The focus of my current research is the role of cognitive processes such as reasoning and expectancy in associative learning.
Education
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- BSc(Psych), ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, 1975
- PhD, ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, 1980
- MSc(Clin Psych), ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, 1985
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RESEARCH
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Research Goals
I carry out laboratory-based research to investigate the mechanisms of associative learning. This type of learning is fundamental for adaptation. Learning predictive or causal associations between stimuli in our environment allows us to anticipate and prepare for future threats and opportunities (Pavlovian conditioning). Learning associations between our own actions and their consequences allows us to learn new skills, obtain resources and make adaptive decisions (instrumental conditioning).
Classical research in associative learning by pioneers like Pavlov and Skinner was carried out in a reflexive tradition using animal subjects, encouraging the popular viewÌýof associative learningÌýas automatic and unconscious. However, my research has highlighted the role of reasoning, expectancy and conscious awareness in human associative learning.
In addition I am interested in the structure and aetiology of negative emotional states. I am the co-developer of a self-report measure, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), which aims to assess the severity of these closely related states. I maintain the DASS website:
Research Grants
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- ARC Discovery Grant (2019 - 2021), How do people learn inhibitory associations? (P. Lovibond)
- ARC Discovery Grant 2016 – 2018, The role of inductive reasoning in generalization of associative learning (P. Lovibond, B. Hayes)
- ARC Discovery Grant 2013 – 2015, Testing the multiple learning system model with eyeblink conditioning in normal and amnesic participants (P. Lovibond, B. Colagiuri)
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Current Student Projects
Al Burchett
Supervision Opportunities/Areas
Topics in human learning
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TEACHING & OUTREACH
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Courses I teach in
PSYC2001: Research Methods 2
PSYC7221: Experimental Clinical Psychology 2
PSYC3202 Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience
Professional affiliations and service positions
Fellow, Australian Psychological Society
Fellow, Association for Psychological Science
Fellow, Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy
Fellow, Academy of Social Sciences in Australia
Member, Experimental Psychology Society
Consulting Editor, Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Past positions
Deputy Dean of Science ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç 2009-2016
Acting Dean of Science ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç 2016-2017
Member, ARC College of Experts 2009-2011
Chair, Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association 2003-2004
Head, School of Psychology ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç 2002-2008
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- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
My Research Supervision
Al Burchett
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