Dr Paloma Marí-Beffa

Senior Lecturer in Psychology / Director of Impact and Engagement

pbeffa@bangor.ac.uk

+44 1248 383816

Dr Paloma Marí-Beffa

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.

School of Psychology

Brigantia Building

Îá°®³Ô¹Ï

Bangor, Gwynedd

pbeffa@bangor.ac.uk

01248 383816

  • Other: PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education
    Îá°®³Ô¹Ï, 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
  • 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

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.   

2025

  • Published
    Matthews, J., Marí-Beffa, P., Mills, D. & Sapir, A., 29 Mar 2025.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review

2023

  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Piper, H., Manoli, M. & Mari-Beffa, P., Mar 2022.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
  • Published
    Baxendale, A., Roberts-Tyler, E. & Marí-Beffa, P., 22 Aug 2022, PsyArXiv.
    Research output: Working paper › Preprint
  • Published
    Baxendale, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Mar 2022.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

2020

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Jan 2019.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
  • Published
    Carmona, I., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A. F., Aug 2019, In: Cognition. 189, p. 181-187
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Jul 2018.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Mari-Beffa, P., 25 Dec 2018, The Conversation.
    Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
  • Published
    Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., 8 Feb 2018, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 9, 10 p., 80.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

  • Published
    Carmona, I., Nache, E., Maldonado, M., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., Jul 2017.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
  • Published
    Mari-Beffa, P., 3 May 2017, The Conversation.
    Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
  • Published
    Johnstone, A. & Mari-Beffa, P., Jul 2017.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

2016

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Carmona, I., Esteban, L., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., 2016.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
  • Published
    Carmona, I., Nache, E., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., Jul 2016.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

2015

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    Carmona, I., Esteban, L., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., Jul 2015.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
  • Published
    Mari-Beffa, P., Aug 2015, In: Perception. 44, 1, p. 230-230 1 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › peer-review

2014

  • Published
    Carmona, I., Fernandez, R., Mari-Beffa, P. & Estevez, A., 2014, p. 126-126. 1 p.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    Laurent, X. & Mari-Beffa, P., 2013.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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

  • Published
    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
  • Published
    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

2023

  • Îá°®³Ô¹Ï 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)

  • visit to Prof Andrés Catena funded by Taith

    May 2023

    Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)

2022

  • 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)

  • 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

  • I was invited to give a 3 hour workshop

    2021

    Links:

    Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)

2018

  • 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)