Qualifications: BSc Psychology (University of Leicester), MSc Psychological Research (University of Leicester)

Research

Title of PhD: The authentic self and its individual differences, within biological motivational models, cognitive bias and attachment theories.

I am also interested in Personality and Well-being: particularly how personality influences both ends of the spectrum of psychological well being. This includes psychological dysfunction such as clinical depression, and post traumatic stress to more positive outcomes such as positive affect and post-traumatic growth. Some of my work was conducted on victims of domestic violence and findings have led to a more experimental approach within laboratory settings. My research interests are interdisciplinary and overlap with Personality and individual differences, positive psychology, clinical psychology, health psychology and counselling with the central focus on the role of the authentic personality. To date, I am exploring the authentic personality within extant models of attachment, decision making, and coping styles. Much of this research has potential and practical implications for improving well-being and health within applied settings.

Teaching

• I am course director at the Institute of Lifelong Learning on the HE cert in psychology.
• I teach transferable skills to 1st year undergraduates on our BSc courses.

• I am part of the Help Desk team which offers support to undergraduate students within the psychology department.

• I teach cognitive psychology on the Certificate Course in Psychology, Vaughan College as part of the The Institute of Life Long Learning and also sit on the board of examiners for this course.

Recent Publications

Pinto, D.G., Maltby, J., & Wood, A.M. (2011). Exploring the tripartite model of authenticity within Gray's approach and inhibition systems and Cloninger's  bio-social model of personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 194-197.

Pinto, D.G., Maltby, J., Wood, A.M., & Day, L. (2012). A behavioural test of Horneys's linkage between authenticity and agression: People living authentically are less likey to respond aggressively in unfair situations.  Personality and Individual Differences, 52, 41-44.      

Maltby, J., Wood, A.M., Day, L., & Pinto, D.G. (2011).The position of authenticity within extant models pf personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 269-273.

Pinto, D.G., Maltby, J. Wood, A.M, Robertson, N. Day, L., (in prep). Authenticity and post-traumatic growth. People living authentically experience post-traumatic growth in the aftermath of domestic abuse.

Conferences and Presentations

Pinto, D.G. (2010). The Authentic personality: A tripartite concept. Presented at the University of Leicester School of Psychology Internal Research Seminar Series, Leicester, UK.

Pinto, D.G. (2010). Exploring the tripartite model of authenticity within Gray's approach and inhibitory systems and Cloninger's bio-social model of personality. Presented at the University of Leicester School of Psychology Internal Research Seminar Series, Leicester, UK.

Pinto, D.G. (2010) Horneys's linkage between authenticity and agression: People living authentically are less likey to respond aggressively in unfair situations. Presented at the University of Leicester School of Psychology , postgraduate conference.

PhD Supervisors

Dr John Maltby,  Senior Lecturer.

Research interests: Individual Differences, Personality and Social Psychology

Dr Noelle Robertson, Research Director in Clinical Psychology.

Research Interests: Clinical health psychology, secondary traumatisation in (health) professionals and health professional behaviour change.