Why We Do What We Do

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.

Episodes

Fast Fashion

September 3, 2025 • 75 mins
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 ...
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Mini: Do Our Pets Understand Us?

September 1, 2025 • 18 mins
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/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 
  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIgM1qN4Lo
  2. https://w...
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The Importance of Peer Review

August 27, 2025 • 78 mins
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 there...
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Mini: Victim vs. Warrior

August 25, 2025 • 18 mins
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. 

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The Psychology of Pain

August 20, 2025 • 65 mins
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. Al...
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    Mini: Magic Eye

    August 18, 2025 • 18 mins
    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? 

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    Links...
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    Punk Rock Legacy

    August 13, 2025 • 78 mins
    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. ...
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    Mini: What is a Repertoire?

    August 11, 2025 • 16 mins
    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/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links and References: 
    1. Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. New York, NY: The Free Press. 
    2. Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Cambridge, MA: Prentice Hall.
    3. Skinner, B. F. (1974). About Beha...
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    Nostalgia: Board Games

    August 6, 2025 • 109 mins
    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. 

    Recommendations
    Holidays...
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    Mini: Restless Leg Syndrome

    August 4, 2025 • 15 mins
    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 trea...
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    The Paraphilia Episode

    July 30, 2025 • 67 mins
    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...
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    Mini: What is "Learning?"

    July 28, 2025 • 15 mins
    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. 

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    Links and References: 
    1. What is Learning?
    2. Donahoe, J. W., & Palmer, D. C. (2004). Learning and Complex Behavior. Ledgetop Publishing: Richmond, MA.
    3. Skinner, B. F...
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    Jonestown pt. 2

    July 23, 2025 • 69 mins
    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: Su...
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    Mini: Backseat Driving

    July 21, 2025 • 15 mins
    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/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links and References: 
    1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201005/field-guide-the-backseat-driver-pedal-the-meddle
    2. https://www.foxnews.com/auto/20-r...
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    Jonestown pt. 1

    July 16, 2025 • 53 mins
    One of the largest mass murders of American citizens in history took place in 1978 in Guyana at the hands of cult leader, Jim Jones. This discussion delves into the circumstances that gave rise to Jones' power and influence of hundreds of people that lead to a tragic mass death of hundreds of people young and old. This first episode chronicles Jones' life as he rose to prominence and eventually moved his congregation to South Ameri...
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    Mini: Nail Biting

    July 14, 2025 • 17 mins
    Do you bite your fingernails or know someone who does? Why do we do this weird, self-destructive thing? What can we do to stop it? We quickly explore the conditions under which we bite our fingernails and some strategies for reducing the frequency of this habit. Tell us your experiences with nail biting (info@wwdwwdpodcast.com; ‪@wwdwwdpodcast.bsky.social‬)

    Join our supporter's club: patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links: 
    1. https://www.n...
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    Tipping Point

    July 9, 2025 • 66 mins
    Tipping is another oddly American tradition that we all pretty universally hate. Perhaps you did not know that the modern conception of tipping arose during reconstruction as a means to not have to pay black people for their labor. We explore the origins of this strange, uniquely American tradition, why it persists, and what is probably going to make this problem much, much worse. 

    Recommendations
    • Abraham: Unconscious Mind (https...
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    Mini: Learned Helplessness

    July 7, 2025 • 11 mins
    Some people use this term incorretly, some don't know it at all. To help get everyone on the same page, we are going to review the history of research that first described this phenomenon. Then, we will give examples of what this might look like in real-life scenarios. 

    Get ad-free and bonus content: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links and References: 
    1. Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analy...
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    Reframe: A Framework to Developing a Compassionate Care Instructional Model (With Special Guests)

    July 2, 2025 • 87 mins
    Special guests Jennifer Farris, Meg Solomon, and Dr. Mari Cerda join us to talk about their new book about developing a compassionate care model. They outline the critical elemtents of their discussion, and share personal stories to help illustrate their recommendations. At the end, they join us in giving their own recommendations for things that bring them joy. We could all use a little more joy. 

    Find the Book Here:
    https://www.ama...
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    Mini: Skeptical All Day

    June 30, 2025 • 10 mins
    Can you walk around being skeptical all day long? At what point do you need to let your guard down? We suggest that not only can you go about your day being skeptical, it is better if you do. We'll explain.

    Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links: 
    1. https://www.theskepticsguide.org/


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
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