The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Jackie's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Jackie
Professor of Psychology
As one of the developers of functional imagery training (FIT), I am interested in the psychological processes underpinning human motivation. My research has shown the importance of mental imagery for desire, from problematic drug and food cravings to motivation for healthy behaviours. FIT builds on this research by combining motivational interviewing with multisensory mental imagery training to create desire for behavioural steps towards a goal. Our weight loss trial (Sobrig et al, 2019) showed that FIT is five times more effective than motivational interviewing. Participants who received 4 hours of FIT loss an average of 6kg in 12 months. My current projects are testing FIT for managing anxiety, building resilience at work (with Despina Djama), and supporting healthy sexual relationships (with Lou Crichton).
I am also interested in psychological aspects of anaesthesia.
I talk about my research on anaesthesia and weight loss here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFTywtZBdNc
Supervised Research Degrees
Joana Galvao Gomes da Silva Creative technologies for behaviour change
Jonathan Rhodes Functional Imagery Training to increase resilience in athletes
Sophie Homer Social anxiety and paranoia: A mixed methods investigation
Linda Solbrig: Functional Imagery Training, a novel, theory-based motivational intervention for weight-loss
Annegret Schneider: The psychological cycle of dental anxiety
Jessica Skorka-Brown: Cognitive processes in craving: from the laboratory to the real world (2010-2014)
Sophie Pettit: Cognitive effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (part-time, 2008-2013)
Christine Boomsma: Role of mental imagery in motivation for sustainable behaviours (2009-2012)
Helen Batey: Intrusive thoughts and mindfulness in deliberate self-harm (2007-2010)
Joanna Blackburn: Craving in eating disorders (2005-2009)
Lisa-Marie Berry : Cognition and craving (2004-2008)
Steven Lilley: Eye movements and traumatic recollections (DClinPsy, 2002-2005)
Lynne Barker : Implicit cognition following frontal brain injury
Catherine Deeprose: Learning during anaesthesia (1999-2002)
Nathalie Panabokke: Role of visual imagery in cigarette craving (2001-2004)
Michael Bywaters: The role of affect in vividness of imagery (1999-2003)
Harshada Patel: Children’s memory for colour
Yuet Yee Yim: Visuo-spatial working memory
Alison Rowlands: Effect of eye movements on vividness of traumatic imagery (DClinPsy)
Teaching
Motivational interviewing and functional imagery training
Motivation
Imagery
Health behaviour change
