On Thursday 1st October, the excited Sixth Form Psychology students attended a lecture by this years UCL Psychologists in Residence about social media and advertising.
They discussed the positive effects, such as social capital (bonds, bridges and linkages) and entertainment, as well as the negative effects such as FoMO, self-esteem issues and various studies behind it. For example, Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe (2007) found a positive relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bonding and bridging social capital. Pryzbylski (2013) found that FoMO (“fear of missing out) causes anxiety, stress, comparative boredom and even depression, as well as the addiction of devices.
The second half of the lecture was about advertising on social media, such as how time has profitable value because usually if we see others do something, it must be right or good (social proof) which companies take advantage of. The most interesting point was when Joanna, a UCL student, spoke about Affective Conditioning and Mere Exposure- something that many of us had noticed before but have not explored in such depth, and we are now conscious about this whenever we see adverts or while shopping!
After the lecture, we enjoyed our dinner at Côte along with the UCL students, who answered any questions we had and was a lovely end to an interesting evening.
Madelyn – Lower Sixth student
The Psychologist in Residence Programme
The Psychologist in Residence Programme, in partnership with UCL Psychology Department, aims to give all FHS girls who study Psychology access to the high level expertise and experience of students who have either just completed, or who are currently completing, their Psychology degree at one of the UKs premier universities. Our resident psychologists will offer their expertise in a variety of ways, from supporting clubs, trips, lessons and ICT, to giving more specialist advice, guidance and lectures, and engaging the wider FHS community in academic developments of broad relevance to education and the school.
In fact, not only is this an exciting opportunity for our department, it will also offer a wonderful chance for two psychologists at the beginning of their academic career to learn about the rigour and demands of A-Level study within a thriving department. For the next academic year, our two residents within the department will be Joanna Szypula and Leanne Goodman. Both are really looking forward to this unique opportunity and I will be working closely with Joanna and Leanne and supervising all their sessions.
Mrs Gillian Hammond
Head of Psychology
