Loading...

PODCAST

The Psychology of Us

The Psychology of Us explores how persons and systems think, feel, identify, and make meaning. Created by RJ Starr, who writes on psychology and philosophy, the show extends his Psychological Architecture framework into questions of identity, emotion, meaning, culture, social behavior, and institutional life. This is psychology as serious inquiry into the structures beneath human experience.

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

00:20:37

The Psychology of Emotional Unintelligence in Public...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/04/13

"The lack of emotional intelligence represented by the American populace in this thread was staggering."--------What happens when a nation confuses outrage with strength, and cruelty with conviction? In this powerful, special-edition episode, Professor RJ Starr examines the emotional and psychological collapse unfolding in our public discourse. From the comment sections of embassy posts to the halls of political power, we’re witnessing a failure of emotional intelligence on a cultural

en-us

00:28:41

The Age of Shallow Learning: How Superficial...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/04/12

We are drowning in information but starving for understanding. In today’s fast-paced digital world, we consume knowledge in bite-sized pieces—quick summaries, viral TikToks, catchy headlines—believing we’ve grasped the full picture. But have we?In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we break downthe illusion of understanding—why wethink we know more than we do, how social media fuels overconfidence in knowledge, and the long-term consequences of superficial learning. We’ll

en-us

00:27:06

The Psychology of Values: How Your Beliefs Shape Your...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/04/08

Why do you do what you do? Why do you think the way you think, speak the way you speak, or spend your time the way you do? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the deep psychological forces that shape our motivations—often without our awareness.Fromintrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985) to the role ofcognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957) andbehavioral conditioning (Skinner), we break down the unconscious scripts that guide our decisions. Is yourwhy

en-us

00:21:20

Fragmented Focus: Why Our Attention Spans Are...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/04/05

Why does it feel harder than ever to focus? Why do we skim articles, half-watch videos, and multitask endlessly without truly absorbing anything? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we explore thepsychological reasons behind our shrinking attention spans and how the modern world is shaping the way we think, learn, and connect.FromCognitive Load Theory to theZeigarnik Effect, we uncover why our brains struggle withdigital distraction, how theattention economy exploits our

en-us

00:32:47

The Psychology of Belief: Why We Believe What We Do

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/04/01

Why do people hold onto beliefs with absolute certainty, even without evidence? What makes us trust misinformation, conspiracy theories, or deeply ingrained ideas that defy logic? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the fascinating psychology behind belief—how our minds form, defend, and reinforce ideas, even in the face of contradictory facts.This episode breaks belief down into five key parts: the illusion of knowledge, social influence, emotional security, the

en-us

00:26:01

Why People Bully: The Psychology Behind Power and...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/29

Bullying is more than just schoolyard cruelty—it’s a social and psychological phenomenon that follows us into adulthood, shaping self-perception, relationships, and even workplace dynamics. In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the psychology behind bullying: Why do people bully? Why do some individuals become targets? And why do bystanders so often stay silent?Drawing from psychological research, case studies, and personal reflections, this episode examines the

en-us

00:35:13

The Psychology of Dishonesty: Why People Lie and How...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/25

Why do we lie, even when the truth seems simpler? In this episode, we explore the psychology of dishonesty—what drives people to deceive, how the brain processes lying, and why some lies feel justified while others carry lasting consequences. From small white lies to elaborate fabrications, dishonesty is a universal human behavior shaped by survival instincts, social pressures, and personal fears. By understanding the motivations behind deception, we can begin to recognize its impact on our

en-us

00:24:32

FOMO Unpacked: The Psychology of Missing Out in a...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/22

In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores one of the most pervasive feelings in modern life: the fear of missing out, or FOMO. While FOMO may feel like a recent phenomenon driven by social media, its roots go much deeper, stemming from our innate need for connection and belonging. Through a blend of psychological theory and personal anecdotes, Professor Starr delves into why we experience FOMO, how it impacts our mental health, and what it means for our emotional

en-us

00:29:07

The Worry Trap: Why We Overthink and How to Break Free

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/18

Overthinking—it’s something we’ve all experienced, but why does it happen? And more importantly, how can we break free from it? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we take a deep dive into the psychology of overthinking.We’ll explore why our minds get caught in endless loops of rumination and worry, how anxiety and perfectionism fuel the cycle, and the emotional and physical costs of chronic overthinking. Drawing from psychological research, real-world case studies, and

en-us

00:21:45

The Psychology of Censorship and Control

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/15

Welcome to The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, the podcast that explores the hidden forces shaping human thought, behavior, and society. In this episode, The Psychology of Censorship and Control, we uncover how censorship isn't just about banning books or silencing speech, it’s about shaping minds, controlling narratives, and influencing what people believe is true.Drawing from psychological theories, real-world case studies, and history, we’ll break down the chilling effect,

en-us

00:26:52

Eremitism: The Psychology of Solitude and the Desire...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/11

In a world that never stops talking, what happens when we choose to step away? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we explore eremitism—the act of withdrawing from society for solitude, self-reflection, and personal growth.Why do some people seek solitude while others fear it? What happens to the mind when we spend extended time alone? And in an age of constant digital connection, are we unknowingly creating a new form of modern isolation?Join Professor RJ Starr as he

en-us

00:34:01

The Roots of Anger: Why We Lose Our Cool

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/07

Why do we lose our cool? What’s really happening beneath the surface when anger takes hold? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we dive deep into the psychology of anger—where it comes from, what it’s trying to tell us, and how we can manage it in healthier, more constructive ways.Anger is often misunderstood. It’s not just an explosive reaction—it’s a complex emotional signal, a response to deeper feelings like fear, frustration, or hurt. But when left unchecked, it can

en-us

00:24:23

Why People Annoy Us: The Psychology of Irritation

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/03/04

Why do certain people and behaviors get under our skin? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the fascinating psychology behind irritation. From the biological roots of annoyance to the cognitive biases that amplify minor frustrations, we explore why some things bother us more than others. You’ll learn how irritation serves as an emotional signal, revealing deeper truths about your values, boundaries, and unspoken needs.But irritation isn’t just personal—it plays a

en-us

00:15:16

Midterm Mayhem: How to Manage Academic Stress and...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/27

This podcast episode is a gift to my psych students, and to all students around the world. Enjoy!Midterm exams can feel overwhelming, but understanding the psychology behind stress can help you stay focused, motivated, and prepared. In this episode, psychology professor RJ Starr explores the science of stress and performance, breaking down the Yerkes-Dodson law to explain why a little anxiety can boost productivity—until it becomes too much.Learn evidence-based study strategies, how to avoid

en-us

00:20:12

Psychology of Values: The Hidden Compass Guiding Your...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/25

In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the profound impact of focusing on your values and how they shape every aspect of your life. Why do some decisions feel effortless while others leave you conflicted? Why do people sometimes feel lost, even when they appear successful? The answer often lies in whether we are truly aligned with our core values.Drawing from psychological research, including Schwartz’s Theory of Basic Human Values and Viktor Frankl’s insights on

en-us

00:13:00

Stereotypes, Discrimination, and the Reality of Asian...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/21

In this special guest-hosted episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Cultural Psychology studentLilian Chantarakorn sits down with her professor,RJ Starr, for a powerful conversation on thestereotypes, discrimination, and objectification faced by Asian women. From the damaging perception of Asian women as submissive or hypersexualized to the struggles of invisibility and fetishization, this discussion delves into thepsychological toll these biases take on identity, mental health, and

en-us

00:26:32

Ghosting: Why People Disappear and the Psychology of...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/18

Have you ever been ghosted? One day, you're talking to someone—maybe a friend, a romantic partner, or even a family member—and then, without warning, they vanish. No explanation. No goodbye. Just silence.Ghosting is one of the most frustrating and confusing social behaviors, but it’s also one of the most common. In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores thepsychological reasons behind ghosting, uncovering why some people find it easier to disappear than to communicate.✔The

en-us

00:28:48

Psychology of Procrastination: Why We Put Things Off

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/13

Why do we procrastinate, even when we know it will make things harder in the long run? Is it laziness, a lack of discipline, or something deeper? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we break down the real science behind procrastination and explore why we put things off—even when we don’t want to.Professor Starr takes you inside the brain to reveal the psychological and neurological factors at play, from the amygdala’s fear response to the prefrontal cortex’s struggle to

en-us

00:23:37

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Beyond the Stereotypes

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/10

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, often misused as a casual label for neatness or perfectionism. But what is OCD really? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we dive deep into the science, psychology, and lived experiences of OCD.Join Professor RJ Starr, an expert in psychology, as he explores the neurological and cognitive mechanisms behind OCD, the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, and the latest research

en-us

00:10:47

McVulnerability: When Online Emotion Becomes a...

The Psychology of Us ·

2025/02/07

In this episode, Professor RJ Starr is interviewed by graduate student Gabriella Jamison to explore the concept of McVulnerability—a term describing the curated, performative nature of emotional sharing on social media. They discuss how vulnerability, once deeply personal, has become a strategic tool for engagement, how social media rewards emotional expression, and why audiences often struggle to distinguish authenticity from performance. Drawing from psychological theories such as

en-us

132 results

Similar Podcasts

وجوه من الـظل

Medi1 Podcast

Stay By Plan

SBP Media

Sakat Muhabbet

Apaçık Radyo

大竹のもっと言いたい放題 - 大竹まことゴールデンラジオ！

文化放送PodcastQR

Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby