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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

74:31

Propaganda: How You Are Being Tricked pt. 2

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/24

In the last episode, we outlined several specific propaganda strategies. We conclude this discussion by explaining some ways we can attempt to combat propaganda. Although propaganda can be a tool for good, it is often used nefariously, and we are well served to protect ourselves against those who would manipulate us. Did we miss anything? Let us know!RecommendationsAbraham: Between the Buried and Me “The Blue Nowhere”- (https://www.betweentheburiedandme.com/)Shane: Disney Food and Wine Festival

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13:31

Mini: Kintsugi

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/22

Kintsugi is a Japanese tradition of repairing broken things rather than retiring them, and in doing so making them stronger. It has a nice metaphor for personal, social, and economic issues. We discuss the history, techniques, and metaphors of kinsugi. Join our club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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76:17

Propaganda: How You are Being Tricked pt. 1

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/17

Propaganda is remarkably effective at influencing your behavior, even if you don't recognize that it is happening. Being aware of its strategies can help prevent you from falling victim as much. But no one is immune. Propaganda is one of the ways conspiracy theories are born, for those extremely gullible among us. This issue inspires some passionate soap-boxing... although there is a lot more of that in part 2. Enjoy!RecommendationsAbraham: Upload (season 4;

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11:50

Mini: How Many Faces Can You Remember?

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/15

A lot. Unless you have face blindness, you can remember a lot of faces. Is this all in the brian? We do our best to explain the research behind our ability to recognize a very large number of faces. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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61:55

Understanding Chiropractic

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/10

Once again, we have an idea that has mostly been bogged down in the septic tank of pseudoscience. There seems to be some therapeutic benefit to chiropractic care, but there's so much crap spread on top that it's difficult to find. We dig into the aspects of this that are worth saving vs throwing out. RecommendationsAbraham: Drop (https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-movies/drop)Shane: Strange Pictures by Uketsu

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15:56

Mini: That Time Humans Loved Radiation

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/08

This is another exploration of bad idea history. At one point, humans got really into consuming and surrounding themselves with irradiated materials. This idea stands out because the origins can be traced back to a clear starting point and "logic." FYI: Don't consume or put yourself (or anyone else) near radium. We'll explain why.Become a member and support the show: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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75:06

Fast Fashion

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/03

Fast fashion is a business model that emphasizes extremely high volume, cheap clothing designed to only last a short amount of time. This strategy produces an staggering amount of waste, consumes mllions of tons of raw materials, and contributes more to climate change than all internatinal flights and maritime vessels combined. However, it also employs millions of people, boosts the economy, and provides affordable clothing around the world. We examine the human behaviors invovled and the forces

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18:58

Mini: Do Our Pets Understand Us?

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/09/01

We have very special relationships with our pets. We usually try to talk to them. Do they understand what we are saying? Do they know their names? We quickly explore what it means for our pets to "understand" us or to "know" their names. There are some things we know about this and some things we don't. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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78:26

The Importance of Peer Review

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/27

One could argue there are two ways of aggregating knowledge: by guessing or by verifying information. The current system for verifying is by checking one another's work through peer review, a process by which experts first review the quality of the work submitted for publication and only allowing information through that is rigorous in its method or arguments. This is not without its flaws, however. Bias and blinding (or lack thereof) can prevent legitimate science from being disseminated or too

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18:17

Mini: Victim vs. Warrior

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/25

There is a proposal that there is a dichotomy in human activities (specifically the cognitive ones) that can be characterized as a "warrior" mentality or a "victim" mentality. Any dichotomy that attempts to clasffiy behavior this way is going to have substantial limitations. We suggest that this discinction can be helpful in some ways, but seems highly toxic in others. Support us on Patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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65:15

The Psychology of Pain

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/20

Pain can be conceptualized physiologically, neurologically, and behaviorally. We review the physiological and neurological components of pain, and then spend considerable time considering the behavioral aspects of pain. It's a subject that seems straight forward on the surface, but has a surprising amount of complexity, nuance, and disagreement. It might seem nice to not be able to feel pain, but this is actually very dangerous. Also, so plants feel pain?RecommendationsAbraham: Mr. Monk’s Last

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18:55

Mini: Magic Eye

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/18

Autostereograms, better known as "Magic Eye" puzzles, are a unique 2D art in which repeated images create a 3D image, but you have to focus your eyes in just the right way to see it. We explain the history of this illusion, how it works, and how to see it. Futher, we explain why you see it as either 3D or inverted. Do you see the illusion? Get ad-free episodes and help us continue doing our thing: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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78:47

Punk Rock Legacy

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/13

Large musical movements are large cultural movements. Rap, rock, country, and other genres often galvanized or reflected social changes and values. Punk rock is a particularly iconoclast movement with an interesting history. We discuss the history of punk music as a genre of music and to an extent as a category of social behaviors. Even if you don't necessarily like punk, you may enjoy music that inspired it or was inspired by it. Let us know your favorite punk music and stories. Rock the

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16:33

Mini: What is a Repertoire?

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/11

We often talk about what students can do by referring to their repertoire. But what does it mean to refer to their repertoire? A lot of philosohpy in one little mini episode!Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. New York, NY: The Free Press. Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Cambridge, MA: Prentice Hall.Skinner, B. F. (1974). About Behaviorism. New York, NY: Vintage Press.Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., &

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109:26

Nostalgia: Board Games

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/06

Has it been so long? Abraham discusses his favorite discussion topic: Board games! Also ,there's been new research since that that further supports that board games are beneficial for cognitive and brain health. Prepare for fun, fun, fun, FUN. RecommendationsAbraham: Fantastic Four: First Steps (https://movies.disney.com/the-fantastic-four-first-steps) Shane: Happy Gilmore 2 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31868189/)Holidays (8/6/2025):Balloons to Heaven DayCorporate Baby Name DayFarmworker

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15:47

Mini: Restless Leg Syndrome

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/08/04

Do you ever feel an nearly uncontrollable urge to move your legs? If you do, you probably still don't have RLS, but it may be worth getting tested for a diagnosis. Please don't self-diagnose just because we talked about it. Restless Leg Syndome is mostly what it sounds like: A powerful urge to move your legs or get up and move around. Rather than just sitting for too long, this usually has a specific etiology and some specific treatments and tends to affect people's sleep. We'll explain the

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67:33

The Paraphilia Episode

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/07/30

SEX! Now that we have your attention, this episode reviews some of the paraphilias that exist. More importantly, we try to understand with a compassionate and critical lens. Some paraphilias are simply different than what might be considered "normal" sexual behavior, but in which no one is hurt, or exploited, and everything is consensual. However, there are paraphilias that include lack of consent, expoitation, or harm. There is no black and white way to classify this, so we need nuance and critical

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15:40

Mini: What is "Learning?"

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/07/28

You would think we would want a full length for this topic. Maybe we still will do one! But for now, we figured we can at least help clear up some misunderstandings or lack of understanding that some may have. Get ad free and bonus content: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: What is Learning?Donahoe, J. W., & Palmer, D. C. (2004). Learning and Complex Behavior. Ledgetop Publishing: Richmond, MA.Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. The Free Press: New York,

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69:05

Jonestown pt. 2

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/07/23

This second part completes the story of the tragedy of the murders at Jonestown. In addition, we expand on this conversation by unpacking the mentality of the participants, and dig a little bit into how charismatic leaders can develop a following that seems baffling from the outside. It is an analysis on where we were as a country, and as a species, as well as where we are now and where we are going. Recommendations:Abraham: Superman (2025); https://www.superman.com/Shane: Jimmy Eat World Live

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15:41

Mini: Backseat Driving

Why We Do What We Do ·

2025/07/21

We all hate it. Yet, some of us do it. We talk about why people do it, how recipients perceive it, and how passenger commentary/critique/analysis affects driving behavior and safety.Join our member club for ad-free content and other bonus content: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and

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