Found here are a collection of abstracts from Papers I have written in the past. If you would like to know more about any of the studies then click on the paper to be taken to a PDF for the full details.
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Solo Projects
Does the volume of sucrose reward at a flower patch influence bumblebees’ spatial memory?
Bumblebees conduct learning flights to retain information about the location of their nest or a feeding site. A suggested influence on these learning flights at flower patches is the amount of reward offered. The present study aimed to investigate this in terms of learning flight characteristics at different flower patches and volume of sucrose reward offered from flowers. Bumblebees were observed at two flower patches in which flowers contained a high volume of sucrose, and a low volume of sucrose. Results and analysis showed that bumblebees at the flower patch offering a low volume of sucrose reward visited significantly more flowers and performed significantly longer learning flights in trajectory and duration. It was concluded that the reward gained from a flower patch may have a significant influence on learning flights and the formation of spatial memories of a flower patch, potentially due to the need to gather more reward from the entire patch and learn about additional flowers, due to singular flowers being less rewarding. Keywords: learning flight, flower patch, reward, spatial memory, sucrose volume
Does territory quality and characteristics influence the frequency and length of spiral flights amongst different species of butterflies?
Spiral flight conflicts between butterflies have been widely studied, often investigating which individuals win, and why. Very little has been explored in terms of the frequency and intensity of these conflicts, and what influence territory characteristics have. This was measured in an observational study method, recording frequency and length of conflicts as well as territory characteristics such as lux and temperature. It was found that lux level, temperature and grass type significantly predict frequency and length of spiral flight conflicts. It was concluded that territory quality may have a large influence on the amount and intensity of these spiral flight conflicts between butterflies of different species, irrespective of who wins.
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Impression Management in Musical Taste: Investigating the Influences of Impression Management Strategies and Individual Differences in Music Sharing Behaviour
Individuals engage in impression management behaviour in order to influence and manipulate how others perceive them. Music sharing has been suggested to be one way in which individuals might achieve this. The present study aimed to investigate the extent to which impression management use could predict music sharing behaviour, as well as self-esteem, self-monitoring and personality traits. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire concerned with use of impression management strategies, self -esteem, self-monitoring, personality traits and their frequency and attitudes towards music sharing online and face-to-face. It was found that only the supplication strategy, as well as self-monitoring behaviour, extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness were highly significant in predicting individuals’ music sharing behaviour. It was concluded that an individual’s use of impression management strategies may not be predictive of their music sharing behaviour in online and offline settings, and neither are other Big Five personality traits,or their self-esteem.
Keywords:
impression management, music sharing, self-esteem, self-monitoring,personality traits