Dr Paloma Marí-Beffa
Senior Lecturer in Psychology / Director of Impact and Engagement
Overview
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 Impact and Engagement.
Additional Contact Information
School of Psychology
Brigantia Building
Bangor University
Bangor, Gwynedd
01248 383816
Qualifications
- 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
Research Interests
- 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
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
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) Perception of Threat in interpersonal agression,that is, on-site prediction of knife attacks and 2) the use of verbal instructions to boost mathematic performance.
Publications
2023
- PublishedCognitive versus emotional modulation within a Stroop paradigm in patients with schizophrenia
Romero-Ferreiro, V., Garcia-Gutierrez, A., Torio, I., Mari-Beffa, P., Rodriguez-Gomez, P., Perianez, J. A., Moreno, E. M., Romero, C., Alvarez-Mon, M. A. & Rodriguez-Jimenez, R., 18 Jan 2023, In: British Journal of Psychology. 9, 1, 6 p., e19.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2022
- PublishedBayesian Reasoning with Emotional Material in Patients with Schizophrenia
Romero-Ferreiro, V., Susi, R., Sanchez Morla, E. M., Mari-Beffa, P., Rodriguez-Gomez, P., Amador, J., Moreno, E. M., Romero Ferreiro, C., Martinez-Garcia, N. & Rodriguez-Jimenez, R., 3 Nov 2022, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 13, 8 p., 6768.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEmotional Processing Profile in Patients with First Episode Schizophrenia: The Influence of Neurocognition
Romero-Ferreiro, V., Garcia-Fernandez, L., Aparicio, A. I., Martinez-Gtras, I., Dompablo, M., Sanchez-Pastor, L., Rentero, D., Alvarez-Mon, M. A., Espejo Saavedra, J. M., Lahera, G., Mari-Beffa, P., Santos, J. L. & Rodriguez-Jimenez, R., 6 Apr 2022, In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. 11, 7, 8 p., 2044.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPerceptual orientation and legitimacy of interpersonal cues to endangerment
Piper, H., Manoli, M. & Mari-Beffa, P., Mar 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedThe role of verbalisations and anxiety in task switching
Baxendale, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Mar 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
2020
- PublishedEvidences for better recall of congruent items in episodic memory
Laurent, X., Esteves, F. P. & Mari-Beffa, P., 21 Feb 2020, In: Cognitive Processing. p. 1-9 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSemantic negative priming from an ignored single-prime depends critically on prime-mask inter-stimulus interval and working memory capacity
Megias, M., Ortells, J. J., Noguera, C., Carmona, I. & Mari-Beffa, P., 9 Jun 2020, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 11, 1227.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedAn Investigation into the Effects of Martial Arts Training on Impulsive Consumer Behavior
Prasetyo, D. & Mari-Beffa, P., 25 Jan 2019, In: Anima Indonesia Psychological Journal. 34, 2, p. 105-114
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDistraction or caution: The influence of attention on post-error slowing
Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Jan 2019.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedDoes the implicit outcomes expectancies shape learning and memory processes?
Carmona, I., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A. F., Aug 2019, In: Cognition. 189, p. 181-187
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe implementation of expectancy-based strategic processes is delayed in normal aging
Noguera, C., Fernandez, S., Alvarez, D., Carmona, E., Mari-Beffa, P. & Ortells, J., 25 Mar 2019, In: PLoS ONE. 14, 3, p. e0214322 21 p., e0214322.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedAttentional network contributions to post-error slowing
Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Jul 2018.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedFacilitation of Fast Backward Priming After Left Cerebellar Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation
Allen-Walker, L., Bracewell, R., Thierry, G. & Mari-Beffa, P., Apr 2018, In: Cerebellum. 17, 2, p. 132-142
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe effects of Martial Arts training on attentional networks in typical adults
Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., 8 Feb 2018, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 9, 10 p., 80.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Published¿Hablar con uno mismo es síntoma de trastorno mental? Más bien al contrario
Mari-Beffa, P., 25 Dec 2018, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2017
- PublishedImproving delayed visual recognition memory in healthy elders by differential outcomes using masked and unmasked reinforcers.
Carmona, I., Nache, E., Maldonado, M., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., Jul 2017.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedIs talking to yourself a sign of mental illness? An expert delivers her verdict
Mari-Beffa, P., 3 May 2017, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - PublishedThe impact of Martial Arts experience on Attentional Networks
Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Jul 2017.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
2016
- PublishedAn action to an object does not improve its episodic encoding, but removes distraction
Laurent, X., Ensslin, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Apr 2016, In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance.. 44, 1, p. 494-507
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDifferential outcomes effect under conscious and unconscious conditions
Carmona, I., Esteban, L., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., 2016.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedDifferential outcomes training and delayed visual recognition memory in healthy elders using masked reinforcers
Carmona, I., Nache, E., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., Jul 2016.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
2015
- PublishedAn action to an object does not improve its episodic encoding; but removes distraction
Mari-Beffa, P. & Laurent, X., Aug 2015, In: Perception. 44, 1-Supp, p. 244-244 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › peer-review - PublishedAnatomical dissociations of forward and backwards semantic processing in the cerebellum using theta burst stimulation
Kiryakova, R. K., Allen-Walker, L. S., Baxendale, A., Kiryakov, R. K., Lawrie, S. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Aug 2015, In: Perception. 44, p. 42-43
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDifferential outcomes training and delayed visual recognition memory using masked stimulus
Carmona, I., Esteban, L., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., Jul 2015.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedVerbal working memory influences time perception in explicit time estimation
Mari-Beffa, P., Aug 2015, In: Perception. 44, 1, p. 230-230 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › peer-review
2014
- PublishedDifferential outcomes and delayed visual recognition memory in healthy adults using masked outcomes
Carmona, I., Fernandez, R., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., 2014, p. 126-126. 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review - PublishedThe mixing cost as a measure of cognitive control
Kirkham, A. J., Mari-Beffa, P., Kirkham, A., Grange, J. A. (Editor) & Houghton, G. (Editor), 19 Jun 2014, Task Switching and Cognitive Control. 2014 ed. Oxford University Press, p. 74-100
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2013
- PublishedRole of Selective Attention and Action on Episodic Memory
Laurent, X. & Mari-Beffa, P., 2013.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedUnconscious congruency priming from unpracticed words is modulated by prime–target semantic relatedness.
Ortells, J. J., Mari-Beffa, P. & Plaza-Ayllón, V., 1 Mar 2013, In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. 39, 2, p. 394-413
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2012
- PublishedResponse preparation in Parkinson's disease: Automatic vs. controlled processing
Adam, J. J., Scholtissen, B. & Mari-Beffa, P., 21 Feb 2012, In: Acta Psychologica. 139, 3, p. 465-470
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe impact of verbal instructions on goal-directed behaviour
Kirkham, A. J., Breeze, J. M. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Jan 2012, In: Acta Psychologica. 139, 1, p. 212-219
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTraining with differential outcomes enhances discriminative learning and visuospatial recognition memory in children born prematurely
Martinez, L., Mari-Beffa, P., Roldan-Tapias, D., Ramos-Lizana, J., Fuentes, L. & Estevez, A., 1 Jan 2012, In: Research in Developmental Disabilities. 33, 1, p. 76-84
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnmixing the mixing cost: Contributions from dimensional relevance and stimulus-response suppression.
Mari-Beffa, P., Cooper, S. & Houghton, G., 1 Apr 2012, In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 38, 2, p. 478-488
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2011
- PublishedEvidence of reduced selective attention in schizotypal personality disorder
Breeze, J., Kirkham, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Aug 2011, In: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. 33, 7, p. 776-784 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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
- PublishedEnhancing challenged students' recognition of mathematical relations through differential outcomes training.
Estevez, A. F., Vivas, A. B., Alonso, D., Mari-Beffa, P., Fuentes, L. J. & Overmier, J. B., 1 Apr 2007, In: Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 60, 4, p. 571-580
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedN400, the reference electrode, and the semantic activation in prime-task experiments: A reply to Dombrowski and Heil (2006).
Cullen, D. J., Mari-Beffa, P., Catena, A., Valdes, B., Cullen, D. & Houghton, G., 25 May 2007, In: Brain Research. 1147, p. 209-212
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2005
- PublishedAutomatic and controlled semantic processing: A masked prime-task effect.
Valdes, B., Catena, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Jun 2005, In: Consciousness and Cognition. 14, 2, p. 278-295
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDissociations between object- and response-based components of negative priming.
Houghton, G. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Nov 2005, In: Perception and Psychophysics. 67, 8, p. 1423-1436
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedERP analyses of task effects on semantic processing from words.
Mari-Beffa, P., Valdes, B., Cullen, D. J., Catena, A. & Houghton, G., 1 May 2005, In: Cognitive Brain Research. 23, 2-3, p. 293-305
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedLack of inhibition in Parkinson's disease: Evidence from a lexical decision task.
Mari-Beffa, P., Hayes, A. E., Machado, L. & Hindle, J. V., 1 Jan 2005, In: Neuropsychologia. 43, 4, p. 638-646
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2003
- PublishedPost-target inhibition: A temporal binding mechanism?
Loach, D. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Jul 2003, In: Visual Cognition. 10, 5, p. 513-526
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2002
- PublishedLack of inhibition in Parkinson's disease: Evidence from decreased negative priming in a lexical decision task
Mari-Beffa, P., Hayes, A., Machado, L., Sheppard, D., Rafal, R. & Hindle, J., Apr 2002, In: Journal of Cognitive Neurosience. p. 97-97 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedNegative priming from the non-selected meaning of the homograph
Nievas, F. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Feb 2002, In: British Journal of Psychology. 93, 1, p. 47-66
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedStroop interference effects in partially colored Stroop words
Danziger, S., Estevez, A. F. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1 Sept 2002, In: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review. 9, 3, p. 536-541 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2001
- PublishedThe differential outcome effect as a useful tool to improve conditional discrimination learning in children
Estevez, A. F., Fuentes, L. J., Mari-Beffa, P., Gonzalez, C. & Alvarez, D., Feb 2001, In: Learning and Motivation. 32, 1, p. 48-64 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2000
- PublishedDifferential outcomes and discrimination learning in children and adults with Down Syndrome
Fuentes, L. J., Estevez, A., Gonzalez, C., Mari-Beffa, P. & Vivas, A. B., 2000, In: International Journal of Psychology. 35, 3-4, p. 240-240 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › peer-review - PublishedSemantic priming in the prime task effect: evidence of automatic semantic processing of distractors.
Mari-Beffa, P., Fuentes, L. J., Catena, A. & Houghton, G., 1 Jun 2000, In: Memory and Cognition. 28, 4, p. 635-647
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedStroop interference and negative priming: problems with inferences from null results
Mari-Beffa, P., Estevez, A. F. & Danzinger, S., 1 Sept 2000, In: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review. 7, 3, p. 499-503
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedWord-based grouping affects the prime-task effect on semantic priming
Mari-Beffa, P., Houghton, G., Estevez, A. F. & Fuentes, L. J., 1 Apr 2000, In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 26, 2, p. 469-479
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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
- PublishedInfluencias inhibitorias de la atención en la selección de información visual para la acción: Inhibitory Influences of attention on the selection of information for action
Colmenero, J. M., Catena, A., Fuentes, L. J. & Mari-Beffa, P., 1995, In: Cognitiva. 7, 1, p. 113-128 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMarcadores de vulnerabilidad/factores de protección en la prevención de la esquizofrenia
Godoy, J. F., Muela, J. A., Sanchez-Barrera, M. B., Sanchez-Huete, J. R., Perez, M. & Mari-Beffa, P., 2 Feb 1995, In: Revista Conductual de Psicologia. 3, p. 35-46 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2023
- Bangor University Community Day - Psychology stall
Bangor University Community Day was an event that welcomed the local community to explore the University and learn about its significant contributions to the social, economic, environmental, and cultural life of North Wales and beyond. The event showcased a range of activities. Our department of Psychology participated with a stall, offering various engaging activities for attendees, highlighting some of the department's work.
14 Oct 2023
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor) - 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
- University of Almeria
I was invited to give a 3 hour workshop
2021
Links:
Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)
2018
- Martial Arts: Can something so fun be good for your brain
2018
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)