The Aggressive Cognitions and Behaviour Research Lab
The focus of research in the Aggressive Cognitions and Behaviour Research (ACBR) Laboratory is on the conceptualization and measurement of cognitions—such as attitudes—thought to be relevant to violent behaviour, and the role these cognitions may play in violent behaviour. Our main goal is to contribute to scientific knowledge about the causes of violence, which provides the foundation for effective and efficient assessment and intervention aimed at reducing violence.
In our research we have most often used cross-sectional, retrospective, and longitudinal non-experimental designs, as well as the occasional randomized experiment. Our studies have been conducted online, in the lab, federal and provincial prisons, and forensic psychiatric hospitals. Most of our projects have involved collecting data directly from participants (students, people in the community, inmates, or patients), but we also sometimes use archival datasets or conduct meta-analytic reviews of the literature. Our work has been funded by grants and awards from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, and Carleton University.
Research projects planned for the next few years will focus on attitudes toward non-sexual violence in online studies with university students and men from the general public. In these projects, we will continue to develop, evaluate, and refine measures; explore the relationship between attitudes and other cognitive constructs; and test the extent to which attitudes influence violent behaviour.
Some of our current collaborators are Justin Carré (Nipissing University), Liam Ennis (University of Alberta), Leandre Fabrigar (Queen’s University), Chantal Hermann (Ministry of the Solicitor General of Ontario), Zoe Hilton (Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care), Sandy Jung (MacEwan University), Sacha Maimone (The Royal), Pedro Pechorro (University of Algarve), Chloe Pedneault (Government of Canada), Anna Pham (Government of Canada), Devon Polaschek (University of Waikato), and John Zelenski (Carleton University).
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News
Congratulations, Anastasia Weir!
We are proud to announce that Anastasia Weir has been awarded the Dr. Lois Rosine & Dr. Don Bent Award…
SSHRC Connection Grant Awarded for Violent Cognitions Meeting
Kevin Nunes has been awarded a SSHRC Connection Grant for a meeting of experts to clarify and refine our understanding…
Dr. Andrea Moser Shares Expertise at Lunch & Learn
Heather Burke—on behalf of the ACBR Lab—coordinated a speaker for the Forensic Psychology Research Centre’s Lunch & Learn event on…
Webinar Recording and Slides Now Available: Dr. Kevin Nunes on Violent Attitudes and Behaviour
Dr. Kevin Nunes presented his research on Violent Attitudes and Behaviour at the International Forensic Psychiatry Lecture Series, hosted by…
Congratulations, Genevieve Latour!
Congratulations to Genevieve Latour on successfully completing her undergraduate Honours thesis, titled “Police and Violence: Exploring the Impact of Police…
Josh Peters Successfully Defends PhD and Nominated for Senate Medal!
Josh Peters successfully defended his PhD and was nominated for a Senate Medal! Dissertation title: What is Denial and How…