Danger, Deception & Desire

Danger, Deception & Desire

Danger, deception, desire, & other psych professor obsessions. From the ugly truth about rage rooms and our unhealthy obsession with serial killers, to the ancestral wisdom of goosebumps and the science behind why we keep playing the lottery, join Dr. Kevin Bennett—Penn State University Beaver Campus Teaching Professor, Psychology Today contributor, and fellow at the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health (UD/MH)—as we unmask the power of danger, deception, and desire through sensational stories and savvy behavioral science.

Episodes

May 28, 2024 33 mins

Have you ever wondered how early trauma and untreated medical conditions can shape a criminal mind? Join me, Kevin Bennett, and my guest, Nate Coonfare, on this episode as we promise to unravel the chilling life story of Richard Ramirez, a.k.a., The Night Stalker. Together, we explore his tumultuous upbringing in El Paso, Texas, marked by violence and abuse, and how these early experiences set the stage for his terrifying crimes in...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we delve into the mind of one of history's most enigmatic figures, Charles Manson.  Guided by the expertise of my guest, Aaliyah Booker, a criminal justice graduate of Penn State Beaver, we navigate Manson's formative years and dissect the psychological entanglements  that led him to the Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969. 

We discuss the chilling details of that fateful night at Cielo Drive, Manson&a...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Dr. Bennett explores the fascinating topic of serial killers. Listen to him discuss his top 10 myths about serial homicide. 

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A psych professor's podcast about danger, deception, and desire. From the ugly truth about rage rooms and our unhealthy obsession with serial killers, to the ancestral wisdom of goosebumps and the science behind why w...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Dr. Bennett discusses the exuberant and sometimes dangerous psychology of thrill seeking, a personality trait also known as risk taking and sensation seeking.

Take this test to see if you are high or low on this personality dimension. For each item, you must choose A or B, depending on which best describes you.
1a.  I would like a job that requires a lot of traveling.
1b.  I would prefer a job in ...

Mark as Played

A podcast for curious & cool (but chronically stuck) over-analyzers.

The problem: It's getting harder and harder to make sense of the tangled world we inhabit. If this sounds familiar, unfortunately, it means you have entered the snarl... and you know the feeling is real:

  • Everything is risky 
  • Tomorrow is scary
  • You don’t belong here—argh! Now what?

The solution: Don’t get mad,  get untangled!

Fair wa...

Mark as Played

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