Tom Lockhart

I am a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology. I have previously lecturered in both online focused and traditional Universities and have experience of course management. My research work tests and applies the principles of a neurological theory of personality called Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory. Specifically, my tests of the theory's principles usually involve comparative neurological methods, particularly EEG. Whereas, my applied work has involved identifying biomarkers of anxiety with colleagues at the University of Otago, comparative models of personality with colleagues at the Univeristies of Winchester and Milan and factors affecting victim responses to fire with colleagues at the West Midlands Fire Service.

I completed my PhD on the electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of the behavioural inhibition system at the University of Portsmouth. I also worked as a part time hourly paid lecturer at the University of Portsmouth before obtaining a lectureship at Arden University, where I was later given additional responsibilities as the deputy program leader for psychology. I then returned to the University of Portsmouth as a senior lecturer in 2020.

I am interested in any test or application of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, particularly those involving neurological, behavioural, comparative or psychometric elements. More generally, I am interested in decision making, anxiety, personality and behavioural prediction. While not the focus of my research, I am also interested in the history of psychology and in consciousness.

I am currently the module coordinator for the Psychology Work Placement and Introduction to the Human World modules. I am also guest lecturing on the Perspectives in Psychology module. Additionally, I am a tutor for the Psychology Work Placement, Exploring Psychology, and Professional Development and Employability modules. Finally, I am an undergraduate dissertation supervisor.

In the past, I have coordinated modules looking at research methods, quantitative data analysis, and biological and cognitive psychology. I have also coordinated undergraduate and postgraduate dissertation modules and held course management responsibilities.