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PODCAST

Why We Do What We Do

We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

science social sciences

All Episodes

65:17

Nostalgia: The Dunning-Kruger Effect

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/09/11

We revisit this classic episode in a discussion about how lack of experience leads to a false-sense of competence, or maybe there is something else going on? The Dunning-Kruger effect famously relates data that demonstrates a lack of skill associated with a high rate of confidence and a lack of confidence associated with a high level of skill. Some people question how robust this effect may be. We will share what we find and weigh in ourselves. RecommendationsAbraham: Despicable Me 4

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10:20

Mini: Duh

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/09/09

Another exploration of the weird things we say. The word "duh" is an interesting one with more recent roots than you might think. Enjoy our quick dive into more word discussions in which we talk about words, duh.Support us on Patreon!: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://wgntv.com/morning-news/66-the-origin-of-duh/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Oxford%20English,or%20feigned%20ignorance%20or%20stupidity.%E2%80%9Dhttps://youtu.be/wlGtSS9UZOc?si=VkUJb4WtPO8gJXb2Become a

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69:27

Critical Thinking

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/09/04

Critical thinking is the vaccine against misinformation. If you learn nothing else, learn to question your own beliefs. We discuss the importance of criical thinking and some exercises to build your critical thinking muscle. Don't be hoodwinked by logical fallacies and rhetorical tricks. RecommendationsAbraham: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning pt 1 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9603212/reviews)Shane: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5090568/)Holidays:Eat an Extra

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18:19

Mini: Temporary Insanity

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/09/02

One defense that lawyers have successfuly used is the supposition that people can become temporarily unable to tell the difference between right and wrong. What does it mean to be temporarily insane? We discuss the implications of the use and idea behind temporary insanity and even briefly touch on the legal system in general.Join the club! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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66:56

The Electoral College pt. 2

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/28

This discussion expands on the first episode, which covered the history of the electoral college, by explaining the arguments for and against this system. Further, we briefly touch on some alternative strategies that have been proposed. This system, as it exists, is you uniquely American and most people don't want it. We'll give our final thoughts at the closing of this discussion. Recommendations Part 2Abraham: Godzilla Minus One (https://www.netflix.com/title/81767635)Shane: Naked by David

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18:34

Mini: How's My Driving?

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/26

Did you ever notice those stickers on commercial vehicles that ask "How is my driving?" with a corresponding phone number? We were curious, what is the purpose of this sticker? Is it for the driver? For other drivers on the road? For praise? For cricitism? We do a quick investigation into this sticker, where it came from and how it works. Join the club! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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53:19

The Electoral College pt. 1

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/21

The electoral college is a strange system in the United States by which the president is "chosen" by a slate of people who represent the will of the voters, except when it doesn't. In this first episode, we explore the history of the electoral college and some of the unique instances in which a president achieved office without the majority of votes from the people because this system allows it. Next time, we will unpack the arguments for and against the electoral college. RecommendationsAbraham:

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18:16

Mini: Weird Blue Chart

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/19

In the small field of Behavior Analysis, there is a smaller subset of practitioners who champion the use of a particular data graphing display called the "Standard Celeration Chart." We explain what is going on with this weird blue chart.Support us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLearn more about the Standard Celeration Chart: www.celeration.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

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49:44

Empathy pt. 2

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/14

This discussion concludes by exploring how empathy develops. This can result in people with extremely high empathy and extremely low empathy. Where do you fall on the spectrum of empathy? Consider that wherever you, you can be somehwere else on this spectrum. Recommendations:Abraham: Deadpool & Wolverine (https://www.marvel.com/movies/deadpool-and-wolverine)Shane: Try a nutritionistLinks and References: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathyLuciano, et al. (2020). Perspective taking,

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13:55

Mini: Expressions That Died

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/12

These are the things we cut our teeth on... Did you know what a "trick cyclist" was? We didn't. Some sayings stick around in the lexicon, some seem to fade into obscurity. We have a lot of fun exploring the history of weird things English speakers have said that we likely wouldn't recognize today. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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55:24

Empathy pt. 1

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/07

Empathy is a common term that has an elusive definition and nebulous parameters. In this first episode, we set out to walk through definitions of empathy and try to narrow it down to its most critical features. Further, we describe the scientific attempts to objectively measure empathetic observation. Next week, we will explain the development of empathy and when people become extremely empathetic or deficient in empathy. Recommendations part 1Abraham: The Bear (season

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18:00

Mini: Toilet Paper

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/08/05

Today, wiping our anuses after defectating seems so natural as to be just a part of being human. But, most animals do not wipe their anuses. And, toilet paper is a relatively recent invention. How did toilet paper become the ubiquitous necessity that it is now? We explore a brief history of toilet paper in this mini.Links and

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61:23

Universal Basic Income pt. 2

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/31

The second part of this discussion explores that actual attempts at implementing some version of UBI in various parts of the world. It sounds good, but would it even work? If so, how? There are many reasons to be skeptical that anything like this will ever work at scale, but let's see what we can learn about how it has performed and what, if anything, that tells us about what we can do in the future. Recommendations:Abraham: Abbot Elementary

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13:38

Mini: The Value of Human Life

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/29

How much money is your life worth? In the transactional scheme of our modern world, some people have taken on the somewhat macabre task of assigning a dollar amount to human lives. So, how is this calculated? We'll tell you all about it here. Support us at www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks: https://www.kotaklife.com/insurance-guide/about-life-insurance/how-to-calculate-human-life-valuehlvBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

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56:09

Universal Basic Income pt. 1

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/24

Universal Basic Income is a policy proposal to provide everyone in a closed system with a no-strings-attached cash infusion on a regular schedule such as every month. Some people love it, some people hate it, most people have never heard of it. In part one, we mostly review the history and arguments for and against this idea. Would you like $1,000 just because?RecommendationsAbraham: Toshiba:

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8:04

Mini: Middle of the Road

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/22

Another quick review of a a logical fallacy. This time, we dive into the Middle of the Road logical fallacy, which many people inadvertently fall prey to. Of course, all you smart people already know this. But hopefully, this refresher will heighten everyone's sensitivity to it for a little while. Support us at www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks: https://youtu.be/VDGp04CfM4Mhttps://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/middle-groundBecome a supporter of this podcast:

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58:44

Your Lizard Brain

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/17

Many of us will blame our most instinctual behaviors, impulses, and drives on the vestigial, reptilian parts of our brains. My lizard brain made me do it! What is the science and evolution behind this impulsive little humunculous? RecommendationsAbraham: Daich Coatings (https://daichcoatings.com/shop/luxrock-solid-surface-countertop/)Shane: Dope (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3850214/) Holidays:Disneyland’s AnniversaryNational Hot Dog DayNational Peach Ice Cream DayNational Tattoo DayTake your Poet

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13:15

Mini: PTO vs. Sick Leave

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/15

Employers should consider what they are incentivizing and de-incentivizing when they put certain policies in place. One such common policy is to make employees to use their PTO when taking sick days. This can seriously backfire. Psychology to the rescue!Links: https://www.trinet.com/insights/if-an-employee-gets-sick-after-using-all-of-their-paid-time-off-pto-for-the-year-am-i-obligated-to-grant-them-additional-paid-time-for-sick-leaveBecome a member! Support us at www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastBecome

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70:52

Not So Sweet Revenge

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/10

People often invoke our impulses by referencing the lizard part of our brains. What is this vistigial reptillian cortex that weilds so much power over our most base instincts? We'll unpack what this term is supposed to mean. Further, we explore the evolutionary, psychological, and scientific history of this idea and the "evidence" for it. Join us for a romping good take down.RecommendationsAbraham: Orbital SandersShane: Fables comics series

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9:56

Mini: Scientific Understanding

Why We Do What We Do ·

2024/07/08

We can broadly categorize our levels of confidence or purpose of scientific data based on the amount of and quality of the information we have about the phenomenon of interest. People hear these terms but don't fully understand what we mean when we call something a "theory," "law," or "hypothesis." We explain them here today.Support us at

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