All in the mind

Psychology students had an insight into the workings of the brain when Dr Guy Sutton visited The Leys to give a workshop.

He was invited by Head of Psychology Trevor Dunn, who has recently become a chartered psychologist himself. The focus of the day was mental stress – its causes, its effects on the body, and the appropriate – and inappropriate – ways in which individuals can cope with it.

Dr Sutton, who is Honorary special lecturer in Neuroscience at The University of Nottingham, talked about the structure of the brain and the ways in which its reactions can be measured. He dissected a lamb’s brain as part of his demonstration. He also showed the physical ravages wrought by drug abuse, explaining that they were the consequences of changes in the brain.

The workshop proved to be a very stimulating event. Isobel van Buuren commented: “It was such an inspiring and interesting day with lots of activities we could get involved with, and Dr Sutton was more than willing to answer our questions.”