Caroline Bowman

Personal Profile

Having completed her PhD and postdoctoral studies at Bangor, Caroline became a part of the teaching team in 2008. She now enjoys working full-time lecturing and providing pastoral care for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Caroline is based in the Wheldon Building so is easily accessible to students who need to meet with her. She is usually happy to get involved with student activities, and especially enjoyed taking Simon Cowell’s role in the 2011Ψ-Factor fund-raiser.

Teaching Interests

Caroline is Module Organiser and lecturer for the MSc and MA Communicating Research in Psychology (CRIPS) module. CRIPS aims to equip Masters students with the skills needed for life as a psychologist in the workplace. Moreover, this module guides graduate students on how to find and apply for psychology-related jobs or further postgraduate study.

Caroline is also Module Organiser and lecturer for the MSc and MA Consumer & Applied Psychology module. This module examines the motivational and cognitive theories underlying consumer science.

On the undergraduate program, Caroline is Module Organiser for the Year 1 Scientific Writing & Communication module. This module aims to introduce students to the importance of learning the rules and methods associated with scientific writing, oral presentations, and technical aspects of presenting data. The module emphasises that good communication improves grades and leads to better job prospects (in psychology and in general).

Finally, Caroline supervises undergraduate honours projects in Year 2 and in Year 3.

Research Interests

Caroline is a neuropsychologist whose specialism focuses on how emotion, for better or worse, can influence cognition. Her research interests have included the study of emotion in decision-making and how this ability is modified in highly creative people and in people with schizophrenia. Currently, Caroline is involved in the investigation of schadenfreude or, the experience of pleasure at another’s punishment. This research provides valuable insight into how people interact within learning and competitive situations and, demonstrates how emotion can either facilitate or debilitate achievement within the social world.