Effects of mood on ability to adapt cognitive processes

We would like to invite you to participate in this original postgraduate research project. You should only participate if you want to; choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in any way. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what your participation will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.

Research Aims
The research is investigating the effect of inducing a negative mood and how this impacts on cognitive processing, in particular our processing of ambiguous information. The research uses a randomisation procedure which means that half of those who take part will be selected at random to receive the negative mood induction and the other half will receive a similar procedure which is not designed to change mood. By comparing the two groups we can identify the effects of being in a negative mood. The experiment focuses on information particularly related to self-beliefs as well as beliefs to do with weight, shape and eating.


We are recruiting healthy females aged 16 and above who are fluent in English. This study is not suitable for those with current or past psychological problems or for those taking medication or receiving therapy for such conditions. If you do not meet the above requirements, please do not take part. If you are interested in participating, having met these criteria, you will be sent a link to a short questionnaire to be completed electronically. This questionnaire will tell us what kind of beliefs you hold pertaining to weight, shape and eating. Upon completing the questionnaire, you may be invited to take part in the full experiment. If you decide to participate, you will be invited to an experiment room at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College of London.
Researcher: Sarah Harper (sarah.harper kcl.ac.uk)