Dr Paloma Mari-Beffa

Senior Lecturer in Psychology / Director of Impact and Engagement

pbeffa@bangor.ac.uk

+44 1248 383816

0000-0001-6974-6394

Dr Paloma Mari-Beffa

View Dr Paloma Mari-Beffa’s profile on the Bangor Research Portal

My research interests lie within Cognitive and Applied Neuropsychology, more specifically in Executive Functions. My theoretical background is mostly on cogntive control, applying this knowledge to a wide range of behaviour. I am not limited to one type of method, and instead have used a variety of paradigms (Task Switching, Go-NoGo, Stroop, Priming, ANT, Episodic Memory), populations (Schizophrenia, Schizotypia, Multiple Schlerosis, Down Syndrome, adults born prematurely, older adults, Martial Artists) and techniques (Reaction Times, Questionnaires, Event Related Potentials, Transcranial Magnetic Resonance, 3D virtual environment). I am currently fascinated by ways in which we can boost these executive functions, from the use of verbal instructions, curiosity, concentration and Martial Arts. I also work as Director of the Postgraduate Programme.

School of Psychology

Brigantia Building

Bangor University

Bangor, Gwynedd

pbeffa@bangor.ac.uk

01248 383816

  • Other: PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education
    Bangor University, 2001–2003
  • PhD: Experimental Psychology and Psychobiology
    University of Almeria, 1995–1997
  • MSc: Experimental Psychology and Behavioural Neurophysiology
    University of Granada, 1992–1995
  • BSc: Psychology
    University of Granada, 1987–1992

PCP3009 - Control of Mental Processes

PPP4027 - Learning and Rehabilitation

  • Verbal Instructions
  • Attention and Episodic Memory encoding
  • Differential Outcomes Effect
  • Attentional Networks Test
  • Stroop and Negative Priming
  • Task Switching and Mixing Costs
  • Martial Arts and self-defense
  • Curiosity and Motivation

I am happy to supervise students wishing to research cognitive control and executive functions. This research should rely on quantitative data and should have a neurocognitive theoretical background. I am particularly interested in applications to common behaviour, such as concentration, decision making or academic performance. Currently I have two PhD students working on 1) Cognitive Changes linked to Martial Arts practice, and 2) Automaticity and Control in the processing of brands. I also have plans for PhD work in two different projects: 1) On-site prediction of knife attacks and 2) the use of verbal instructions to boost mathematic performance.

2023

2022

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2008

  • PublishedThe role of response repetition in task switching.
    Cooper, S. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Oct 2008, In: Journal of Experimental Psychology - Human Perception and Performance. 34, 5, p. 1198-1211
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2007

2005

2003

2002

2001

2000

1996

  • PublishedRecency Effects in Multiple Sclerosis
    Godoy, J. F., Sanchez-Barrera, M. B., Muela, J. A., Mari-Beffa, P. & Puente, A., 2 Feb 1996, In: Applied Neuropsychology. p. 93-96 4 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1995

2023

  • University of Granada

    visit to Prof Andrés Catena funded by Taith

    May 2023

    Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)

2022

  • Wales Martial Arts Practitioner-Researcher Network Event

    A networking event funded by the Learned Society of Wales (LSW) held at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The purpose was to create a collaborative hub for research into Martial Arts. I was invited to give a 1 hour talk on the use of Martial Arts as Community Intervention for multiple neurocognitive disorders.

    26 Oct 2022

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Bangor Meeting of Behavioural Sciences Research in Policing

    The School of Human and Behavioural Sciences has several existing research projects in collaboration with different members of North Wales Police and other theme-related units (these include the army, prison officers, youth custody and other emergency services). Current research projects run independently and in parallel, having to create their own contacts outside and inside the university (e.g., with Criminology). Despite many of these projects having overlapping interest, contributing members are largely unaware of the advances made by other researchers, even within their own school or research institute. On the 30th of June 2022 we are planning to host a 1st Bangor Meeting of Behavioural Sciences in Policing with the aim of bringing together expertise across research teams, NWP and associated units. This event should ideally run annually with the following expected outcomes:

    1- Increase in collaborations across research groups, reflected in new research proposals submitted.

    2- Deeper understanding of the issues affecting NWP that can be addressed by university staff. This deeper insight should be manifest in higher grant return.

    3- A path of continuity between research outcomes and societal impact by engaging stakeholders from early stages of project planning. Evaluated by increased Impact evidence.

    4- It will increase staff awareness about pathways to impact and how to frame research from the beginning to maximize its contribution to society. This can manifest in several forms such as improving contribution to the impact sections in PURE.

    5- It may attract staff working in the field who may perceive Bangor as a center of excellence in Policing Research, measured by increased recruitment of staff specialised in policing across forensics, criminology, etc.

    6- It can be used to advertise Bangor as a Centre for Research in policing which can result in higher recruitment of students in associated degrees and courses (e.g., Forensics).

    30 Jun 2022

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)

2021

2018