The Abstracts of the 38th Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society

Abstract

Welcome to Perth and to an exciting Conference program. We have a wonderful venue, the Sheraton Hotel, and stimulating symposia, forums and workshops, plus international keynote speakers. We are all ready for a great 38th Annual Conference! This year we have again altered the format, in response to feedback received. The first day of the conference is preceded by a day of workshops held in the Novotel Hotel, directly across the road from the Sheraton. For the three and half days of the conference, there are various specialist streams woven through the program and identified in the program by the abbreviations of the relevant College or Division. There are specialist symposia, workshops and forums providing a range of topics and educational experiences for delegates. This year's keynote speakers come from South Africa, the USA and Australia. Professor James Pennebaker comes to us from the University of Texas. He has an international reputation for research into therapeutic uses of expressive writing. Associate Professor Cheryl de la Rey is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on how psychology and psychologists in South Africa have responded to the massive social and political upheavals in that country in recent times. Professor Max Coltheart, the APS Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award winner, hails from Macquarie University where he pursues his extensive research program into cognitive processes in areas such as reading, brain damage and delusional thinking. The social program of the conference includes the conference dinner on the Friday night, plus the welcome reception on Thursday and the farewell lunch on Sunday. For members of the College of Clinical Psychologists, there is a river cruise on Saturday night. Each of these events, and the other informal functions, offer an opportunity to network with colleagues and renew and develop new professional friendships. The Conference Organising Committee and staff from the APS national office have worked hard to make this a memorable Conference. We hope that you have an enjoyable and rewarding few days with us.