Role
Ph.D. Student
(ESRC/NERC funded interdisciplinary project: Psychology and Marine Biology)
Qualifications & background
2010 M.Sc. in Research Methods in Psychology, University of Surrey, UK
2009 B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK
Professional membership
IAPS (International Association People Environment Studies)
MCS (Marine Conservation Society)
Research interests
Numerous aspects of psychology interest me, but my main research area is applied social psychology, specifically the area of environment (e.g. sustainability, pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour). My current work focuses on the interrelations between humans and the natural environment.
PhD Work
My PhD is looking specifically at rocky shores, the intertidal area of seacoasts typically found in Britain where solid rock predominates. For this project, I will be examining the interplay between three different outcomes of visits to rocky shores in Britain. First, visits to marine environments may be psychologically restorative for the visitors. Restoration refers to the recovery of cognitive resources, for example after stressful experiences, and thus enhances well-being. Restorative outcomes have been found for green environments, yet there is little work on the effect marine environments have on this aspect. Second, visits may have positive effects on visitors’ marine awareness, which may be beneficial to the habitat in the long run. Third, visits may adversely affect habitat health. The aim of this PhD is therefore to examine both directions of the relationship between visitors and coastal environments, in particular, rocky shores.
Other research
Linked to my interest in promoting pro-environmental behaviour, I have done some previous research that has looked at organic and sustainable fish consumption. My MSc dissertation looked at organic food. Using a laboratory and a field study, I examined the impact of different information (centred on the Elaboration Likelihood Model) on purchasing behaviour, but also looked at how habit strength moderated any behaviour change. For my BSc project, I looked at a different environmental issue: overfishing. I studied the before and after effects of a visit to a marine aquarium on individuals' attitudes and behaviours towards fish sustainability. Half of the participants were also given additional information on how to buy sustainable fish. This latter study is part of a paper current being revised for publication.
Research Group
I am an active member of the Psychology and Sustainability Research Group at Plymouth University. The group has fortnightly meetings where research, theories and ideas are discussed. For more information, visit the Research Group Website.
Publications
Articles
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., White, M., Morris, S., & Cracknell, D. (in revision). Enhancing the "marine mindset": The effects of an aquarium visit and information booklet on attitudes and intentions about fish sustainability and marine pollution.
Conference Presentations
Oral
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., & Thompson, R.C. (September 2011). Integrating impacts on the environment and visitors: an interdisciplinary analysis of activities on rocky shores. 9th Biennial Conference on Environmental Psychology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., & Thompson, R.C. (July 2011). Integrating impacts on the environment and visitors: an interdisciplinary analysis of activities on rocky shores. PsyPAG 2011, Bangor, UK.
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., & Thompson, R.C. (June 2011). Integrating impacts on the environment and visitors: an interdisciplinary analysis of activities on rocky shores. School Conferece, University of Plymouth 2011, Plymouth, UK.
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., & Thompson, R.C. (February 2011). Trade-offs between human and habitat wellbeing. Blue Gym Mini-Conference, Plymouth, UK.
Poster
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., Thompson, R.C., & Schenke, K. (September 2011). "I do like to be beside the seaside": A field study on the psychological benefits of visiting rocky shores. 9th Biennial Conference on Environmental Psychology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., & Thompson, R.C. (June 2011). Rocky shores: exploring the perceived impacts on the environment and on the visitor. 9th International Temperate Reefs Symposium, Plymouth, UK.
Zahra, D., Bailey, C., Hedge, C., Wyles, K. & Sanders, B.G. (June 2011) Trait Meta-Mood in a Student Population. School Conference, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
Conferences organised
School Conference, University of Plymouth - 8th June 2011
Other academic activities
Additional Qualifications and Awards
Jonathan Sime Award - for best UK Undergraduate Dissertation in People/Environment Studies (2009)
Environmental Science Award - from Peter Symonds College (2006)
Attended Conferences & Seminars
9th Biennial Conference in Environmental Psychology (Eindhoven - 2011) - presented an oral and poster presentation
9th International Temperate Reefs Symposium (Plymouth - 2011) - presented a poster
PsyPAG Conference (Bangor - 2011) - presented an oral presentation
BPS Seminar - The Psychology of Sustainability: Identity and Communication (Exeter - 2011)
Blue Gym Mini-Conference (Plymouth - 2011) - presented an oral presentation
BPS Seminar - The Psychology of Sustainability: The Attitude-Behaviour Gap or Value-Action Gap. (Guildford - 2011)
Coastal Futures Conference (London - 2011)
Socio-Economics in the Marine Environment (London - 2010)
BPS Seminar - Psychological Distance & Sustainability (Cardiff - 2010)
Human Behaviour & Climate Change Conference (Cardiff - 2010)
BPS South-West Undergraduate Conference (Exeter - 2009)
