Dr Catherine Grainger

Lecturer in Psychology

Psychology University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Catherine Grainger

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About me

About me

I first studied psychology at Durham University, where I completed a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a research associate at Durham University, and then went on to complete a PhD in Psychology at the University of Kent. After working as a post-doctoral researcher, I joined Stirling in April 2016.   

Event / Presentation

Grainger, C. and Williams, D.M. and Lind, S.E. (2014, April). Metacognition and mindreading (theory of mind) in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Oral presentation at the meeting of the Experimental Psychology Society, The University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.

Grainger, C. Williams, D.M. & Lind, S. E. (2013, May). Metacognition and mindreading in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, San Sebastian, Spain.

Grainger, C. Williams, D.M. & Lind, S. E. (2013, May). Metacognition in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Oral presentation at the North East Autism Research Group, Newcastle University, UK.

Grainger, C., & Williams, D. M. (2012, January). Computerised versus manual tests of executive functioning in children with autism. Oral presentation at the North East Autism Research Group, Newcastle University, UK

Grainger, C., Nicholson, T., Lind, S., Carruthers, P. and Williams, D. M. (May 2018). Can You Spot a Liar? Lie Detection and Mindreading Abilities in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Poster presentation at International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Grainger, C., Williams, D., & Lind, S. (2015). Understanding mental states in oneself and others in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In Data Blitz presentation, “It takes two to tango’: A translational approach to self–other dynamics, one day conference. Birmingham, UK.

Metacognitive monitoring and control processes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). BPS Developmental and Social Sections Conference

Nicholson, T., Williams, D., Grainger, C., Christensen, J., Calvo-Merino, B., & Gaigg, S. (May 2018). Interoceptive Impairments Do Not Lie at the Heart of Autism or Alexithymia. Oral presentation at International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Self-Awareness in Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Scottish Autism- Research Seminar Series

Williams, D. M., Nicholson, T., Grainger, C., Lind, S., Carruthers, P. (May 2018). Implicit Versus Explicit Metacognition in ASD. Poster presentation at International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Williams, D. M., Nicholson, T., Grainger, C., Lind, S., Carruthers, P. (May 2018). The Self-Reference Effect on Perception: Undiminished in Adults with Autism and No Relation to Autism Traits. Poster presentation at International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, Rotterdam, Netherlands.


Research (1)

My research interests focus on cognitive and developmental psychology. I am particularly interested in understanding the nature of autism spectrum conditions (ASC), and how we can support both daily living skills and mental health difficulties in autistic individuals. My research has also focused on exploring metacognition, and the relation between both processes, in both autism and typical development. I am also interested in studying alexithymia, interoception, episodic memory, prospective memory and lie detection abilities in typical and neurodiverse populations. I am always happy to talk about research ideas and to meet with potential students. Please feel free to email me or come by my office during my office hours. I also welcome students interested in applying for a PhD within an area of my research interests.

Projects

Remembering to remember: What techniques can be used to improve prospective memory in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
PI: Dr Catherine Grainger
Funded by: Academy of Medical Sciences

Outputs (19)

Outputs

Book Chapter

Craig K & Grainger C (2020) Metacognition in Autism. In: Volkmar FR (ed.) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102530-1

Article

Lind SE, Williams DM, Nicholson T, Grainger C & Carruthers P (2020) The self-reference effect on memory is not diminished in autism: Three studies of incidental and explicit self-referential recognition memory in autistic and neurotypical adults and adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 129 (2), pp. 224-236. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000467

Book Chapter

Lind S, Williams D, Grainger C & Lansiedel J (2018) The self in autism and its relation to memory. In: Johnson JL, Goodman GS & Mundy PC (eds.) The Wiley Handbook of Memory, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the Law. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, pp. 70-91. https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/The+Wiley+Handbook+of+Memory%2C+Autism+Spectrum+Disorder%2C+and+the+Law-p-9781119158264

Article

Caes L, Caldwell CA, Rafetseder E, Grainger C, Renner E, Atkinson M, Shing YL & Kuipers JR (2017) Little Scientists – Big Impact [The Developmental Research Team at the University of Stirling explain why they love their psychology kindergarten]. The Psychologist, 30, pp. 30-33. https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-30/october/little-scientists-big-impact

Article

Williams D, Jarrold C, Grainger C & Lind S (2014) Diminished Time-Based, but Undiminished Event-Based, Prospective Memory Among Intellectually High-Functioning Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relation to Working Memory Ability. Neuropsychology, 28 (1), pp. 30-42. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000008

Teaching

Teaching

Currently I am on Sabbatical Research Leave (funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh)

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes