
Why We Do What We Do
- Épisodes
- 633
- Parution
- hebdomadaire
- Dernier épisode
- 11 Nov 2026
À propos du podcast
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.
Épisodes 633
The Many Books of B.F. Skinner pt. 1
Skinner eventualy did become a writer. In fact, he is well known for many of his books, although he authors substantially more articles, lectures and essays. We spend this and the next episode reviewing …
Notes de l’épisode
Skinner eventualy did become a writer. In fact, he is well known for many of his books, although he authors substantially more articles, lectures and essays. We spend this and the next episode reviewing Skinner's many books and how they are important, and somem of our opinions about them. What's your favorite Skinner book?
Part 1 Recommendations- Abraham: Alien: Fate of Nostromo (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/332321/alien-fate-of-the-nostromo)
- Shane: Backrooms (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26657236/?_ssoLoop=1)
Holidays (11/11/2026):- Air Day
- Armistice Day
- Bonza Bottler Day
- Death/Duty Day
- Domino Day
- International Pathology Day
- Metal Day
- National Homunculus Awareness Day - MINI homonculus
- National Sundae Day
- Origami Day
- Red Lipstick Day
- Veteran’s Day
- Dear Santa Letter Week
- Home Care Aide Week
- International Week of Science and Peace
- National Book Awards Week
Links and References:
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Qualitative Analyses
Data are often depicted as numbers. However, data can include narrative observations. This is called qualitative data. We believe there is a lot of value to qualitative data, so we are making the case for …
Notes de l’épisode
Data are often depicted as numbers. However, data can include narrative observations. This is called qualitative data. We believe there is a lot of value to qualitative data, so we are making the case for qualitative data. Of course, it's not perfect. So, we point out the arguments against it as well.
Support us on Patreon
Links and References:- https://www.britannica.com/science/qualitative-chemical-analysis
- https://www.nu.edu/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-study/
- https://dovetail.com/research/examples-of-qualitive-data/
- https://www.greenbook.org/insights/qualitative-market-research/8-examples-of-qualitative-research
- https://skimle.com/blog/qualitative-research-examples
- https://www.thoughtco.com/evidence-darwin-had-for-evolution-4030723
- https://brainly.com/question/51299881
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastB.F. Skinner: A Life
B.F. Skinner was a profoundly impactful figure in modern psychology. His work set the foundation for the field that now consists of tens of thousands of professionals around the world. Yet, we have discussed …
Notes de l’épisode
B.F. Skinner was a profoundly impactful figure in modern psychology. His work set the foundation for the field that now consists of tens of thousands of professionals around the world. Yet, we have discussed him little, and few people are familiar with many of the details of his life. We decided to spend our final suite discussing various aspects of Skinner. What's your favorite Skinner fact?
Recommendations- Abraham: Scariest House in America (season 3; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/scariest-house-in-america/step-inside-the-scariest-house-in-america-season-three-renovation-pictures)
- Shane: Carry Your Heart by Louis Busch (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Carry-Your-Heart/Louis-Busch/9781668206171)
Holidays (11/4/2026):- International Stress Awareness Day
- King Tut Day
- National Block It Out Day
- National Candy Day
- National Easy-Bake Oven Day
- National Eating Healthy Day
- National Skeptics Day
- National Waiting for the Barbarians Day
- Use Your Common Sense Day
- Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
- Give Wildlife a Brake Week
- National Allied Health Week
- National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
- National Cat Week
Links and References:- https://www.bfskinner.org/archival-materials/biographical-information/
- https://www.biography.com/scientists/bf-skinner
- https://www.verywellmind.com/b-f-skinner-biography-1904-1990-2795543
- Skinner, B.F. (1976). Particulars of my life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Regulations Gone Good and Bad
Many argue against government regulations. But, it seems they often seem to ignore the regulations that have saved their lives, or the ones that industries affected by the regulations have asked for …
Notes de l’épisode
Many argue against government regulations. But, it seems they often seem to ignore the regulations that have saved their lives, or the ones that industries affected by the regulations have asked for. Nevertheless, it is true that regulations don't always work as intended and sometimes cause new problems. We list a few regulations that serve an important purpose and some that have failed.
Patreon with us!
Links and References:- https://www.brookings.edu/articles/10-success-stories-of-government-action-in-the-us/
- https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2015/05/government-regulation-costs-lower-benefits-greater-than-industry-estimates
- https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/sec-employees/psrw50ways.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDqGzMdhL1M&t=8s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1AdkgpGLk
- https://sensiblesafeguards.org/issues/the-benefits-of-regulation/
- https://www.independent.org/article/2015/07/16/5-unintended-consequences-of-regulation-and-government-meddling/
- https://www.changelabsolutions.org/blog/10-harmful-local-laws
- https://www.mercatus.org/research/working-papers/how-do-federal-regulations-affect-consumer-prices-analysis-regressive
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastPossessed
For our last Halloween-season-themed episode, we are talking about possessions. We have discussed exorcisms in the past. So, for this discussion, we dug more into the philosophy of science for bringing a …
Notes de l’épisode
For our last Halloween-season-themed episode, we are talking about possessions. We have discussed exorcisms in the past. So, for this discussion, we dug more into the philosophy of science for bringing a skeptical analysis to possessions. We had a lot of fun doing it, too.
Recommendations- Abraham: A Walk in the Park (by Kevin Fedarko; https://www.kevinfedarko.com/a-walk-in-the-park)
- Shane: Werewolf by Night (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15318872/)
Holidays (10/28/2026):- Champagne Day
- International Animation Day
- Lung health Day
- National Chocolate Day
- Plush Animal Lovers Day
- Separation of Church and State Day
- Statue of Liberty Dedication Day
- Wild Foods Day
- Ace Week
- American Massage Therapy Week
- Brain Tumor Awareness Week
- Disarmament Week
- International Magic Week
- Pro Bono Week
Links:- https://apnews.com/article/portland-san-francisco-oregon-cff13a56cd41997553ea3e9a8fc21384
- https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/25/4-degrees-demonic-possession/985256007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z110720e110720v000001&gca-ft=164&gca-ds=sophi
- https://www.servantsuniversity.com/the-assumptions-of-science/
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/2156020
- https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1525/aa.1958.60.2.02a00040
- https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1548-1352.2008.00013.x
- https://brill.com/view/journals/jocc/8/1-2/article-p23_2.xml
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: What Scared Us As Kids
Our fears change over time. What scares us when we were young is not so scary when we get older. And, what scares us when we get older, does not scare us when we are young... sometimes. We explain the kinds of …
Notes de l’épisode
Our fears change over time. What scares us when we were young is not so scary when we get older. And, what scares us when we get older, does not scare us when we are young... sometimes. We explain the kinds of things that scare us as kids and how and why they change.
Join us on Patreon!
References:- Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (1920). Conditioned emotional reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 3(1), 1–14. doi.org [1]
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastThe Warrens
The super famous ghost-hunting couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren are the subject of some of the most popular scary stories and pop-culture media. And if history has taught us anything, it is that when people are …
Notes de l’épisode
The super famous ghost-hunting couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren are the subject of some of the most popular scary stories and pop-culture media. And if history has taught us anything, it is that when people are successful in this way, it is driven by money. We dive into the history of Ed and Lorraine Warren, their ghost-hunting expoits, some of their most famous cases, and some of the darker, sketchier aspects of their lives and career.
Recommendations- Abraham: Ghosts love candy, too (https://25thcenturygames.com/products/ghosts-love-candy-too)
- Shane: Paleblood - Childhood’s Beginning and Yharnam Sunrise (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YVTlhDkU8OcWDKNO2aC8c?si=e_iDrPDiTDWQ8Onz5jvwEA)
Holidays (10/21/2026):- Apple Day
- Babbling Day
- Back to the Future Day
- Caramel Apple Day
- Celebration of the Mind Day
- Check your Meds Day
- Count Your Buttons Day
- Garbanzo Bean Day
- Global Dignity Day
- International Day of the Nacho
- International Print Day
- Medical Assistants Recognition Day
- National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
- Reptile Awareness Day
- Bullying Bystanders Unite Week
- Food and Drug Interactions Awareness Week
- Freedom of Speech Week
- National Nuclear Science Week
- National Wolf Awareness Week
Links and References:- https://warrens.net/
- https://ihorror.com/ed-and-lorraine-warren-were-the-real-monsters-during-their-investigations/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU3-7FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWZYQU1BZzJoWDF5QWpic3dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEehqsRRTst02ju-CEAI-c2HVUdzvHqswm3vDGyhEpKUr-Ni9B5m_66RFTG8so_aem_iS3LoKxeQyoYxDAyOjWGFw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTUApqR4Wo
- https://www.shortform.com/podcast/episode/stuff-you-should-know-2026-01-06-episode-summary-the-warrens-paranormal-power-couple
- https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/conjuring-controversy-unraveling-the-warrens-legacy/
- https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/conjuring-controversy-unraveling-the-warrens-legacy/
- https://nightscrawlers.ca/2019/10/10/ed-lorraine-warren-the-original-paranormal-investigators/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/war-conjuring-disturbing-claims-behind-a-billion-dollar-franchise-1064364/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: The Winchester Mansion
The story of The Winchester Mansion is shrouded in a carefully curated concoction of fanciful stories. These stories have largely been exaggerated or even entirely fabricated. The house is a strange labyrinth …
Notes de l’épisode
The story of The Winchester Mansion is shrouded in a carefully curated concoction of fanciful stories. These stories have largely been exaggerated or even entirely fabricated. The house is a strange labyrinth of over 160 rooms and curious features such as doors that open to walls and stairs that lead to nowhere. The original proprieter of the mansion, Sallie Winchester, has similarly had her story mutated into something only vaguely representing her life and architectural decision.
Links and References:- https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/08/the-truth-about-sallie-winchester-and-the-mystery-house-that-never-was/
- https://www.history.com/articles/winchester-house-haunted
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastEctoplasm: Ghost Goo
What happens when you regurgitate items out of your esophagus for a magic trick? A lot of digestive juices on the stuff you just regurgitated. But, if you don't want your audience to know, you might tell them …
Notes de l’épisode
What happens when you regurgitate items out of your esophagus for a magic trick? A lot of digestive juices on the stuff you just regurgitated. But, if you don't want your audience to know, you might tell them that it goo left over from a ghost! In Biology, ectoplasm is a real thing. In paranormal investigations it has been appropriated in an attempt to bring paranormal entities into normal activities. We'll unpack the science and history of the concept of "ectoplasm" in this discussion.
Recommendations- Abraham: “Rock the Plank” - Mad Caddies (https://madcaddies.bandcamp.com/album/rock-the-plank)
- Shane: Geoff John's run on Green Lantern (Blackest Night; https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401291198?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback)
Holidays (10/14/2026):- Be Bald and Be Free Day
- Bullying Prevention Day
- Emergency Nurses Day
- International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
- International Top Spinning Day
- National Chocolate Covered Insects Day
- National Dessert Day
- National Fossil Day
- National lowercase Day
- National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- Spider-Man Day
- Stem Cell Awareness Day
- Thank Your Cleaner Day
- World Standards Day
- Biology Week
- Bone and Joint Health Action Week
- Earth Science Week
- Mediation Week
- Meditation Week
- National Case Management Week
Links and References:- https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/ectoplasm
- https://www.popsci.com/whats-deal-paranormal-ectoplasm/
- https://www.grunge.com/665457/the-strange-truth-about-ectoplasm-explained/
- https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/ectoplasm
- https://medium.com/the-shortform/is-ectoplasm-really-a-thing-77a7b83a0ef7
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137027252_6
- https://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/12/warner.php
- https://daily.jstor.org/ectoplasm-and-the-last-british-woman-tried-for-witchcraft/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Traditions of Samhain
We did an episode about the history of halloween a while back. This mini explores more of the myths, legends, ideas, and traditions of the tradition that eventually became Halloween. This is all about the …
Notes de l’épisode
We did an episode about the history of halloween a while back. This mini explores more of the myths, legends, ideas, and traditions of the tradition that eventually became Halloween. This is all about the traditions of Samhain (no mention of St. Swithuns).
Tell us your thoughts: [email protected]
Links and References:- https://www.history.com/articles/samhain
- https://druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/samhain-festival
- https://www.hawthornandhoney.com/journal/samhain-rituals
- https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/collections-research/folklife-collections/folklife-collections-list-(1)/religion-and-calendar-customs/hallowe-en-samhain
- https://heritageireland.ie/2023/09/samhain-the-roots-of-halloween/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastGhost Ships
We are kicking off this spooky season with a discussion about the spectres of the ocean: ghost ships! We tell a few of the both lesser and more well-known stories of ghost ships. We also talk about why they …
Notes de l’épisode
We are kicking off this spooky season with a discussion about the spectres of the ocean: ghost ships! We tell a few of the both lesser and more well-known stories of ghost ships. We also talk about why they happen and how they influence our behavior. Have you seen a ghost ship?
Recommendations- Abraham: Saosin (Just Be Honest; https://saosin.com/)
- Shane: Hellboy comics (Mike Mignola)
Holidays (10/5/2026):- Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention
- Chic Spy Day
- Child health Day
- Day of Unity
- Do Something Nice Day
- Global James Bond Day
- International Day of No Prostitution
- National Apple Betty Day
- National Consignment Day
- National Kiss a Wrestler Day
- National Storytelling Day
- World Day of Architecture
- World Habitat Day
- World Teacher’s Day
- Active Aging Week
- Animal Welfare Week
- Banned Books Week
- Death Penalty Focus Week
- Mystery Series Week
- National Vegetarian Week
- National Chili Week
Links:- https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-ghost-ships
- https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ocean-oddities-ghost-ships/78374
- https://www.hms-resolute.co.uk/the-nutshell/
- https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/the-mysterious-fate-of-the-baychimo-the-ghost-ship-that-haunted-the-arctic-for-decades/
- https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/mv-lyubov-orlova-ghostship-sunk
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abandoned-ship-the-mary-celeste-174488104/
- https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrifying-final-voyage-cruise-boat-22044077
- https://skybrary.aero/articles/fata-morgana
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Centralia
We are kicking off this year's spooky seasons mini with a brief history of the town on fire. This is a real place in the United States that has become unlivable since the town accidentally set a gigantic …
Notes de l’épisode
We are kicking off this year's spooky seasons mini with a brief history of the town on fire. This is a real place in the United States that has become unlivable since the town accidentally set a gigantic, subterranean coal reserve. This inspired the video game and movie franchise, "Silent Hill." Have you been to Centralia?
Support us on Patreon!
Tell us your favorite memories of the show: [email protected]
Links and References:- https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirth
- https://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastHappiness
One of the most enduring values, mottos, or goals is the pursuit of happiness. We strive for it implicitly or explicitly for much of our lives. So, what is happiness? How do we achieve it? Why can't you just be …
Notes de l’épisode
One of the most enduring values, mottos, or goals is the pursuit of happiness. We strive for it implicitly or explicitly for much of our lives. So, what is happiness? How do we achieve it? Why can't you just be happy? Because it depends :D
Recommendations- Abraham: Fix My Frankenhouse (seasons 1-2; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/fix-my-frankenhouse)
- Shane: A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck
Holidays (9/30/2026):- My mom’s birthday! Happy birthday, P-Nut!
- Banned Websites Awareness Day
- Blasphemy Day
- Chewing Gum Day
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day
- International Podcast Day
- International Translation Day
- National Hot Mulled Cider Day
- National Love People Day
- National Microcephaly Awareness Day
- National Mud Pack Day
- National Women’s Health and Fitness Day
- Orange Shirt Day
- Time for Yoga
- Thunderbirds Day
- World School Milk Day
- National Chimney Safety Week
- National Dog Week
- National Fall Foliage Week
Links and References:- Harris, R. (2022). The happiness trap: Stop struggling, start living (2nd ed.). Robinson
- https://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/the-quest-for-the-good-life-ancient-philosophers-on-happiness/
- https://www.weforum.org/stories/leadership/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278667273_EMOTIONS_AND_EMOTIONAL_BEHAVIOR_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_APPROACH_TO_UNDERSTANDING_SOME_SOCIAL_BENEFITS_OF_AGGRESSION
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160511/
- https://arnoldspumpclub.com/blogs/newsletter/why-chasing-happiness-makes-you-miserable-and-what-science-says-to-do-instead?srsltid=AfmBOornkPKnjN9wQWbXZB8QQh_5fHqMbgEbdpiVJkW6kGlSi9jONIuM
- https://ls.berkeley.edu/news/stop-worrying-about-being-happy-new-berkeley-psychology-research-suggests-doing-so-makes-people
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10224953/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3546638/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1279874/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284106/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: This is the End-ish
An important announce and brief explanation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
How to Lie With Math
The title maybe a little misleading. This is about how we delude ourselves into adopting information as factual becuase it is presented using real math. Math is extremely important and valuable and a necessity …
Notes de l’épisode
The title maybe a little misleading. This is about how we delude ourselves into adopting information as factual becuase it is presented using real math. Math is extremely important and valuable and a necessity for most sciences. However, like any other tool, math can give the illusion of knowledge while actually tricking us into believing things that are not correct. We primarily focus on averages and how problematic this concept can be, but extrapolate this into other forms of math that can be used to lie and mislead even the ones who are executing the computations.
Recommendations- Abraham: Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain With Democracy (Jonathan Rauch (https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300273540/cross-purposes/)
- Shane: Chat Pile - Who Loves The Sun (https://open.spotify.com/album/2ITnf8HOokOJxjv483Dszk?si=3v175T9iRP2BY8aTU8XPqw)
Holidays (9/23/2026):- Celebrate Bi-Sexuality Day
- Dogs in Politics Day
- International Day of Sign Languages
- National Checkers Day
- National Great American Pot Pie Day
- National Snack Stick Day
- Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day
- See You at the Pole
- Teal Talk Day
- Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week
- Constitution Week
- Deaf Dog Awareness Week
- International Clean Hands Week
- International Deaf Awareness Week
- International Interpreters and Translators Week
- National Adult Day Services Week
Click here to join our Patreon club!
Links and References:- https://www.toddrose.com/endofaverage
- https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/on-average/
- https://www.anecdote.com/2023/03/179-there-is-no-average/
- https://austraffic.com.au/aba/us-air-force-finds-averages-can-kill
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Do We Need Privacy?
We have many mechanisms in place to protect our privacy. Some people care less about this and some people have taken this to tremendous extremes. Of course, many want unambiguous rules about privacy, but there …
Notes de l’épisode
We have many mechanisms in place to protect our privacy. Some people care less about this and some people have taken this to tremendous extremes. Of course, many want unambiguous rules about privacy, but there is a lot of room for nuance. So, we ask the question about whether or not we need privacy and share some of the reasons people have given. The short answer is: until we can trust each other, we need privacy.
Click here to join our Patreon crew of cool people
Links and References:- https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/why-we-care-about-privacy/
- https://www.privacyguides.org/en/basics/why-privacy-matters/
- https://www.teamim.com/insights/why-privacy-matters-even-if-you-have-nothing-to-hide
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastWriter's Block
Creating content can be very effortful. Particularly when that creating entails a lot of writing. And in pursuit of that endeavor, writers sometimes find themselves stuck and unable to produce ideas to further …
Notes de l’épisode
Creating content can be very effortful. Particularly when that creating entails a lot of writing. And in pursuit of that endeavor, writers sometimes find themselves stuck and unable to produce ideas to further their writing task. What is going on behaviorally and psychologically? We'll discuss some of the research behind writer's block and what you can do to get over the block. Do you have any tricks to overcome writer's block?
Recommendations- Abraham: A Short Stay in Hell (Steven Peck: https://www.strandbooks.com/a-short-stay-in-hell-9780983748427.html)
- Shane: The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-pleasures-of-the-damned-charles-bukowski?variant=32130591162402)
Holidays (9/16/2026):- Ann Bradstreet Day
- National Guacamole Day
- Trail of Tears Commemoration Day
- National GED Day
- International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
- National Cinnamon Raison Bread Day
- National Collect Rocks Day
- National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina
- National Play-Doh Day
- National Rehabilitation Day
- National Stay Away from Seattle Day
- National Stepfamily Day
- National Tattoo Story Day
- Teenager Workout Day
- Working Parents Day
- Wrinkled Raincoat Day
- World Barber Day
Links and References:- https://centerforfiction.org/writing-tools/the-truth-about-writers-block/
- https://girlspring.com/4-ways-to-combat-writers-block/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22638809757&gbraid=0AAAAADRYq5RcbP7MWvHMjjH7eQosNAYwC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv4XUBhDBARIsAE6bQUSaMqun3ksA9P5BQfl2c-2ajwULeR_gv3rCLRMQhPcIEN-r7zMv9xsaAlYAEALw_wcB
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7965145/
- https://writers.com/writers-block-what-causes-writers-block-and-how-to-overcome-it
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2190/69g4-6ycm-n11h-eeew
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-yesterday/202001/a-brief-history-of-writers-block
- https://www.laurenpalphreyman.com/post/4-types-of-writer-s-block-and-how-to-combat-them
- https://escholarship.org/uc/item/50t6h6kd
- https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/10-cases-extreme-writers-block
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1311997/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2277565/
- https://www.emerald.com/et/article-abstract/59/6/605/91658/A-phenomenological-research-study-on-writer-s?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Snake Oil
We use the term snake oil to refer any fradulant product, service, or claim that is not what it says it is and lies or misconstrues what it does. You might already know that this comes from a real product that …
Notes de l’épisode
We use the term snake oil to refer any fradulant product, service, or claim that is not what it says it is and lies or misconstrues what it does. You might already know that this comes from a real product that had those exact qualities. You might not know what that product was actuallly based on. We discuss the history of snake oil and why that term stuck around.
Click or tap to join our Patreon group
Links and Refrences:- https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/the-history-of-snake-oil
- https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/26/215761377/a-history-of-snake-oil-salesmen
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-snake-oil-became-a-symbol-of-fraud-and-deception-180985300/
- https://www.si.edu/object/clark-stanleys-snake-oil-liniment%3Anmah_1298331
- https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/rise-and-fall-snake-oil
- https://www.natepedersen.com/quackery
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastDiagnoses: More Harm Than Good? With Dr. Stu Law pt. 3
This is the final discussion in which we "break our silence" as the click-bait headlines like to call it, on our final thoughts about diagnoses and why we believe that they have caused more harm than good. Due …
Notes de l’épisode
This is the final discussion in which we "break our silence" as the click-bait headlines like to call it, on our final thoughts about diagnoses and why we believe that they have caused more harm than good. Due to the nature of separating an entire discussion into two parts after the fact, this episode jumps into the discussion pretty quickly.
Recommendations (Part 2)- Abraham: Flip 7 (https://theop.games/products/flip-7?srsltid=AfmBOope-f-q_QElBRFFD56xiHxlsBbWULVkkXJHpef6OiYa02WlmfZW)
- Shane: Show Me the Body - Alone Together (https://open.spotify.com/album/2itfvUrApVCygurzgNzXJg?si=miioVowrRBSO26h1soi8lw)
- Stu: https://www.youtube.com/@jetlagthegame, Call out Purple Hat DBT theses and dissertations, The Orphans of Davenport (https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631494680), genArete (https://genarete.org/)
Holidays (09/09/26):- Teddy Bear Day
- Sudoku Day
- Wienerschnitzel Day
- Weirdos Day
- Falsely Accused Day
- International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Spectrum Awareness Day
- International Box Wine Day
- Day to Protect Education From Attack
- Emergency Services Day
- Barlow, D. H., & Nock, M. K. (2009). Why can’t we be more idiographic in our research? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(1), 19–21.
- Beck, A. T., & Alford, B. A. (2009). Depression: Causes and treatment. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Beck, A. T., Davis, D. D., & Freeman, A. (Eds.). (2015). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. Guilford Publications.
- Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. L. (2005). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. Basic Books.
- Beltz, A. M., & Gates, K. M. (2017). Network mapping with GIMME. Multivariate behavioral research, 52(6), 789-804.
- Birkhoff, G. D. (1931). Proof of the ergodic theorem. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 17, 656-660.
- Brown, T. A., Campbell, L. A., Lehman, C. L., Grisham, J. R., & Mancill, R. B. (2001). Current and lifetime comorbidity of the DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders in a large clinical sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110(4), 585–599. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.110.4.585
- Clark, L. A., Watson, D., & Reynolds, S. (1995). Diagnosis and classification of psychopathology: Challenges to the current system and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 46, 121–153. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.46.020195.001005
- Fried, E. I. (2015). Problematic assumptions have slowed down depression research: why symptoms, not syndromes are the way forward. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 309.
- Fried, E. I., & Cramer, A. O. (2017). Moving forward: challenges and directions for psychopathological network theory and methodology. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(6), 999-1020.
- Galizio, A., Frye, C. C., Haynes, J. M., Friedel, J. E., Smith, B. M., & Odum, A. L. (2018). Persistence and relapse of reinforced behavioral variability. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 109(1), 210-237.
- Galatzer-Levy, I. R., & Bryant, R. A. (2013). 636,120 Ways to Have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(6), 651-662.
- Glick, I. D., Murray, S. R., Vasudevan, P., Marder, S. R., & Hu, R. J. (2001). Treatment with atypical antipsychotics: New indications and new populations. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 35(3), 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3956(01)00020-6.
- Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. W., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152-1168.
- Hofmann, S. G., Curtiss, J., & McNally, R. J. (2016). A complex network perspective on clinical science. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11(5), 597-605.
- Hofmann, S. G., & Hayes, S. C. (2019). The future of intervention science: Process-based therapy. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(1), 37-50.
- Hofmann, S. G., Meuret, A. E., Rosenfield, D., Suvak, M. K., Barlow, D. H., Gorman, J. M., ... & Woods, S. W. (2007). Preliminary evidence for cognitive mediation during cognitive-behavioral therapy of panic disorder. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 75(3), 374.
- Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617.
- Newman, C. F., Leahy, R. L., Beck, A. T., Reilly-Harrington, N. A., & Gyulai, L. (2002). Bipolar disorder: A cognitive therapy approach. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10442-000.
- Lenzenweger, M. F., Lane, M. C., Loranger, A. W., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.09.019
- Molenaar, P. C. (2004). A manifesto on psychology as idiographic science: Bringing the person back into scientific psychology, this time forever. Measurement, 2(4), 201-218.
- Molenaar, P. C., & Campbell, C. G. (2009). The new person-specific paradigm in psychology. Current directions in psychological science, 18(2), 112-117.
- Meehl, P. E. (1978). Theoretical risks and tabular asterisks: Sir Karl, Sir Ronald, and the slow progress of soft psychology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46(4), 806–834.
- McNally, R. J. (2012). The ontology of posttraumatic stress disorder: Natural kind, social construction, or causal system? Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 19, 220–228.
- Piccirillo, M. L., & Rodebaugh, T. L. (2019). Foundations of idiographic methods in psychology and applications for psychotherapy. Clinical psychology review.
- Popa, A., & McDowell, J. J. (2016). Behavioral variability in an evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 105(2), 270-290.
- Sidman, M. (1952). A note on functional relations obtained from group data. Psychological Bulletin, 49(3), 263
- Volkovysskii, R. L. & Sinai, Y. G. (1971). Ergodic properties of an ideal gas with an infinite number of degrees of freedom. Functional Analysis and Its Applications (Funktsional'nyi Analiz i Ego Prilozheniya), 5(3), 185-185.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Life Expectancy
How we understand, talk about, and think about life expectancy is sometimes misunderstood by some flukes of math. Understanding how numbers work can illuminate a clearer picture of history and mortality. Long …
Notes de l’épisode
How we understand, talk about, and think about life expectancy is sometimes misunderstood by some flukes of math. Understanding how numbers work can illuminate a clearer picture of history and mortality. Long story short, (or short story shorter, this is a mini afterall), there have been old people who lived to be old (very old) for most or all of human history.
Support us on Patreon!
Links:- https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy
- https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/usa/united-states/life-expectancy#google_vignette
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4861644/
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/articles/howhaslifeexpectancychangedovertime/2015-09-09
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastDiagnoses: More Harm Than Good? With Dr. Stu Law pt. 2
This continues our discussion with Dr. Stu Law. We further elaborate on the issues with a diagnostic system for mental health and what the pitfalls are, including faulty underlying assumptions. After recording …
Notes de l’épisode
This continues our discussion with Dr. Stu Law. We further elaborate on the issues with a diagnostic system for mental health and what the pitfalls are, including faulty underlying assumptions. After recording, we had enough content in this discussion for two separate episodes. So, we awkwardly added a post-hoc conclusion in this discussion and a similar intro to the next episode.
Recommendations Part 2- Abraham: Rick & Morty Season 9 (https://www.hbomax.com/?utm_id=sa|22393148778|180575663513|297385727722&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22393148778&gbraid=0AAAAApH9fnpTr6yDijXdlc51psz-wvFmK&gclid=CjwKCAjwtKrUBhAhEiwAr77ZosVPKgR3u_fZCszdZHzumdiOcQNAKwT0a7Nf_f0fizQrw8F_yunqPBoC2nAQAvD_BwE)
- Shane: Unwed Sailor - High Remembrance (https://open.spotify.com/album/0U5ebcuEkgaH7nYtQ01puI?si=TJaLAOzySAS6YynsVxegoA)
Holidays (9/2/2026):- Bison-Ten Yell Day
- Calendar Adjustment Day
- Global Talent Acquisition Day
- National Blueberry Popsicle Day
- National No Patrick Day
- Pierce Your Ears Day
- Spalding Baseball Day
- V-J Day
- World Coconut Day
References:- Barlow, D. H., & Nock, M. K. (2009). Why can’t we be more idiographic in our research? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(1), 19–21.
- Beck, A. T., & Alford, B. A. (2009). Depression: Causes and treatment. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Beck, A. T., Davis, D. D., & Freeman, A. (Eds.). (2015). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. Guilford Publications.
- Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. L. (2005). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. Basic Books.
- Beltz, A. M., & Gates, K. M. (2017). Network mapping with GIMME. Multivariate behavioral research, 52(6), 789-804.
- Birkhoff, G. D. (1931). Proof of the ergodic theorem. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 17, 656-660.
- Brown, T. A., Campbell, L. A., Lehman, C. L., Grisham, J. R., & Mancill, R. B. (2001). Current and lifetime comorbidity of the DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders in a large clinical sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110(4), 585–599. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.110.4.585
- Clark, L. A., Watson, D., & Reynolds, S. (1995). Diagnosis and classification of psychopathology: Challenges to the current system and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 46, 121–153. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.46.020195.001005
- Fried, E. I. (2015). Problematic assumptions have slowed down depression research: why symptoms, not syndromes are the way forward. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 309.
- Fried, E. I., & Cramer, A. O. (2017). Moving forward: challenges and directions for psychopathological network theory and methodology. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(6), 999-1020.
- Galizio, A., Frye, C. C., Haynes, J. M., Friedel, J. E., Smith, B. M., & Odum, A. L. (2018). Persistence and relapse of reinforced behavioral variability. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 109(1), 210-237.
- Galatzer-Levy, I. R., & Bryant, R. A. (2013). 636,120 Ways to Have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(6), 651-662.
- Glick, I. D., Murray, S. R., Vasudevan, P., Marder, S. R., & Hu, R. J. (2001). Treatment with atypical antipsychotics: New indications and new populations. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 35(3), 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3956(01)00020-6.
- Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. W., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152-1168.
- Hofmann, S. G., Curtiss, J., & McNally, R. J. (2016). A complex network perspective on clinical science. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11(5), 597-605.
- Hofmann, S. G., & Hayes, S. C. (2019). The future of intervention science: Process-based therapy. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(1), 37-50.
- Hofmann, S. G., Meuret, A. E., Rosenfield, D., Suvak, M. K., Barlow, D. H., Gorman, J. M., ... & Woods, S. W. (2007). Preliminary evidence for cognitive mediation during cognitive-behavioral therapy of panic disorder. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 75(3), 374.
- Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617.
- Newman, C. F., Leahy, R. L., Beck, A. T., Reilly-Harrington, N. A., & Gyulai, L. (2002). Bipolar disorder: A cognitive therapy approach. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10442-000.
- Lenzenweger, M. F., Lane, M. C., Loranger, A. W., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.09.019
- Molenaar, P. C. (2004). A manifesto on psychology as idiographic science: Bringing the person back into scientific psychology, this time forever. Measurement, 2(4), 201-218.
- Molenaar, P. C., & Campbell, C. G. (2009). The new person-specific paradigm in psychology. Current directions in psychological science, 18(2), 112-117.
- Meehl, P. E. (1978). Theoretical risks and tabular asterisks: Sir Karl, Sir Ronald, and the slow progress of soft psychology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46(4), 806–834.
- McNally, R. J. (2012). The ontology of posttraumatic stress disorder: Natural kind, social construction, or causal system? Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 19, 220–228.
- Piccirillo, M. L., & Rodebaugh, T. L. (2019). Foundations of idiographic methods in psychology and applications for psychotherapy. Clinical psychology review.
- Popa, A., & McDowell, J. J. (2016). Behavioral variability in an evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 105(2), 270-290.
- Sidman, M. (1952). A note on functional relations obtained from group data. Psychological Bulletin, 49(3), 263
- Volkovysskii, R. L. & Sinai, Y. G. (1971). Ergodic properties of an ideal gas with an infinite number of degrees of freedom. Functional Analysis and Its Applications (Funktsional'nyi Analiz i Ego Prilozheniya), 5(3), 185-185.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: Talking With Myself
You've probably noticed people talking to themselves and had some thought or comment about that. Perhaps something along the lines of: "That person might be crazy." Well, turns out it is much more normal than …
Notes de l’épisode
You've probably noticed people talking to themselves and had some thought or comment about that. Perhaps something along the lines of: "That person might be crazy." Well, turns out it is much more normal than you might think. What do you talk to yourself about?
Join our amazing fan club
Links and References:- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/talking-to-yourself
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5986836/
- https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/is-it-normal-to-talk-to-yourself--what-it-could-really-mean.html
- https://elemental.medium.com/why-talking-to-yourself-is-a-secret-superpower-5eff091b896c
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/defining-memories/202502/7-benefits-of-talking-to-ourselves-aloud
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-22647-2
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11274574/
- https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/62246/chapter-abstract/550947980?redirectedFrom=fulltext#550947980
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1080/17470218.2011.647039
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastDiagnoses: More Harm Than Good? With Dr. Stu Law pt. 1
Diagnosing mental health has dramatically shaped how we think about and appraoch our thinking and treatment of mental health conditions. In some ways, this effect has had a profoundly helpful impact for many …
Notes de l’épisode
Diagnosing mental health has dramatically shaped how we think about and appraoch our thinking and treatment of mental health conditions. In some ways, this effect has had a profoundly helpful impact for many people. However, in many ways, this system has had a profoundly adverse impact. This episode kicks of a three-part series arguing that diagnoses for mental health have ultimately caused more harm than good. Dr. Stu Law is a special guest helping us understand what we gain and lose in the current system of diagnostic criteria used for taxonomizing mental health.
Recommendations- Abraham: Within by Protest the Hero (https://protestthehero.bandcamp.com/album/within)
- Shane: Akai MPK Mini MK3 MIDI Board (https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-mk3/)
- Stu: Learning Process Based Therapy, The Anatomy of an Epidemic, Beyond the DSM, The Emperor’s New Drugs
Holidays (8/26/2026):- Congressional Startup Day
- Make Your Own Luck Day
- Musical Yoga Day
- National Cherry Popsicle Day
- National Dog Day
- National Toilet Paper Day
- Tug of War Day
- Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday
- Women’s Equality Day
- Be Kind to Humankind Week
- Brake Safety Week
- National Safe at Home Week
- World Water Week
References:- Barlow, D. H., & Nock, M. K. (2009). Why can’t we be more idiographic in our research? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(1), 19–21.
- Beck, A. T., & Alford, B. A. (2009). Depression: Causes and treatment. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Beck, A. T., Davis, D. D., & Freeman, A. (Eds.). (2015). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. Guilford Publications.
- Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. L. (2005). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. Basic Books.
- Beltz, A. M., & Gates, K. M. (2017). Network mapping with GIMME. Multivariate behavioral research, 52(6), 789-804.
- Birkhoff, G. D. (1931). Proof of the ergodic theorem. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 17, 656-660.
- Brown, T. A., Campbell, L. A., Lehman, C. L., Grisham, J. R., & Mancill, R. B. (2001). Current and lifetime comorbidity of the DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders in a large clinical sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110(4), 585–599. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.110.4.585
- Clark, L. A., Watson, D., & Reynolds, S. (1995). Diagnosis and classification of psychopathology: Challenges to the current system and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 46, 121–153. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.46.020195.001005
- Fried, E. I. (2015). Problematic assumptions have slowed down depression research: why symptoms, not syndromes are the way forward. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 309.
- Fried, E. I., & Cramer, A. O. (2017). Moving forward: challenges and directions for psychopathological network theory and methodology. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(6), 999-1020.
- Galizio, A., Frye, C. C., Haynes, J. M., Friedel, J. E., Smith, B. M., & Odum, A. L. (2018). Persistence and relapse of reinforced behavioral variability. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 109(1), 210-237.
- Galatzer-Levy, I. R., & Bryant, R. A. (2013). 636,120 Ways to Have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(6), 651-662.
- Glick, I. D., Murray, S. R., Vasudevan, P., Marder, S. R., & Hu, R. J. (2001). Treatment with atypical antipsychotics: New indications and new populations. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 35(3), 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3956(01)00020-6.
- Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. W., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152-1168.
- Hofmann, S. G., Curtiss, J., & McNally, R. J. (2016). A complex network perspective on clinical science. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11(5), 597-605.
- Hofmann, S. G., & Hayes, S. C. (2019). The future of intervention science: Process-based therapy. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(1), 37-50.
- Hofmann, S. G., Meuret, A. E., Rosenfield, D., Suvak, M. K., Barlow, D. H., Gorman, J. M., ... & Woods, S. W. (2007). Preliminary evidence for cognitive mediation during cognitive-behavioral therapy of panic disorder. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 75(3), 374.
- Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617.
- Newman, C. F., Leahy, R. L., Beck, A. T., Reilly-Harrington, N. A., & Gyulai, L. (2002). Bipolar disorder: A cognitive therapy approach. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10442-000.
- Lenzenweger, M. F., Lane, M. C., Loranger, A. W., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.09.019
- Molenaar, P. C. (2004). A manifesto on psychology as idiographic science: Bringing the person back into scientific psychology, this time forever. Measurement, 2(4), 201-218.
- Molenaar, P. C., & Campbell, C. G. (2009). The new person-specific paradigm in psychology. Current directions in psychological science, 18(2), 112-117.
- Meehl, P. E. (1978). Theoretical risks and tabular asterisks: Sir Karl, Sir Ronald, and the slow progress of soft psychology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46(4), 806–834.
- McNally, R. J. (2012). The ontology of posttraumatic stress disorder: Natural kind, social construction, or causal system? Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 19, 220–228.
- Piccirillo, M. L., & Rodebaugh, T. L. (2019). Foundations of idiographic methods in psychology and applications for psychotherapy. Clinical psychology review.
- Popa, A., & McDowell, J. J. (2016). Behavioral variability in an evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 105(2), 270-290.
- Sidman, M. (1952). A note on functional relations obtained from group data. Psychological Bulletin, 49(3), 263
- Volkovysskii, R. L. & Sinai, Y. G. (1971). Ergodic properties of an ideal gas with an infinite number of degrees of freedom. Functional Analysis and Its Applications (Funktsional'nyi Analiz i Ego Prilozheniya), 5(3), 185-185.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: No Homework
There have been some advocates to reduce or eliminate homework altogether. It begs the question of what is the purpose of homework anyway? What would we lose by eliminating it? What do we gain by keeping it. We …
Notes de l’épisode
There have been some advocates to reduce or eliminate homework altogether. It begs the question of what is the purpose of homework anyway? What would we lose by eliminating it? What do we gain by keeping it. We briefly explore the science and recommendations with respect to what is gained or lost by requiring homework. What are your thoughts?
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Links and References:- https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/education-inequity-and-homework/
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-more-homework-means-more-stress-031114#Pressure-to-work-as-hard-as-adults-takes-a-toll
- https://time.com/4740297/homework-should-be-banned-from-schools/
- https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/03/too-much-homework-031014
- https://www.edutopia.org/visual-essay/the-pros-and-cons-of-homework-in-6-charts/
- https://www.hmhco.com/blog/benefits-of-no-homework?srsltid=AfmBOopoMq0OQcXz8KJUHLGU2FowSkNoJG2gxZV9RNB0ZM-Jf5Gk6TDW
- https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/01/17/are-we-assigning-too-much-homework/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11409198/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/yassprize/2025/10/23/no-homework-no-barriers/
- https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-case-for-and-against-homework
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastFunctional Analysis pt. 4
In the fourth and final installment of our series on Functional Analyses, we finally discuss some of the controversies and disagreements among practitioners. We also offer our own hot takes and personal …
Notes de l’épisode
In the fourth and final installment of our series on Functional Analyses, we finally discuss some of the controversies and disagreements among practitioners. We also offer our own hot takes and personal opinions to bring further nuance, critique, and skepticism to the conversation. Let us know if you agree or disagree!
Recommendations pt. 4- Abraham: Wingspan Pocket (https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/wingspan-pocket/)
- Shane: The Odyssey (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/)
Holidays (8/19/2026)- International Bow Day
- International Orangutan Day
- National Aviation Day
- National Hot and Spicy Food Day
- National Medical Dosimetrist Day
- National Root Beer Float Day
- National Sandcastle and Sculpture Day
- National Soft Ice Cream Day
- Potato Day
- World Humanitarian Day
- World Photography Day
- Minority Enterprise Development Week
Links and References:- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
- https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841258/
- Hanley, G. (2012). BAP
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284147/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11317985/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.106
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: The Weirdest Thing We Believe
In a totally unscripted, candid conversation, we ask one another: what is the weirdest thing you believe? It's a conversation bound to leave you a little surprised, confused, and maybe disappointed. Or maybe …
Notes de l’épisode
In a totally unscripted, candid conversation, we ask one another: what is the weirdest thing you believe? It's a conversation bound to leave you a little surprised, confused, and maybe disappointed. Or maybe thinking about things a little differntly. What's the weirdest thing you believe?
We did not use any references for this!
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastFunctional Analysis pt. 3
This is the third installment in what will turn out to be a four-part series on the functional anlaysis technology employed by behavior analysts to identify casues and motivations for challenging behavior …
Notes de l’épisode
This is the third installment in what will turn out to be a four-part series on the functional anlaysis technology employed by behavior analysts to identify casues and motivations for challenging behavior, particularly among those with disabilities who lack strategies to communicate their needs. That was a very long sentence. This discussion breaks down some of the innovations that were developed in Functional Analysis (FA) implementation strategies.
Recommendations pt. 3- Abraham: Spider-man: Brand New Day (https://www.marvel.com/movies/spider-man-brand-new-day)
- Shane: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (https://www.bonorong.com.au/)
Holidays (8/12/2026):- Baseball Fans Day
- IBM PC Day
- International Youth Day
- Julienne Fries Day
- Middle Child Day
- National Sewing Machine Day
- Truck Driver Day
- Vinyl Record Day
- World Calligraphy Day
- World Elephant Day
- Elvis Week
- National Bargain Hunting Week
- National Resurrect Romance Week
- Safe + Sound Week
Links and References:- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
- https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841258/
- Hanley, G. (2012). BAP
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284147/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11317985/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.106
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMidlife Crisis
Are you already skeptical? Do you think you know? Are you a true believer? We take a scientific lens to the idea of the midlife crisis. Consider that this might be cultural, which would indicate that it is not …
Notes de l’épisode
Are you already skeptical? Do you think you know? Are you a true believer? We take a scientific lens to the idea of the midlife crisis. Consider that this might be cultural, which would indicate that it is not inevitable or inherent. This further leads us to the conclusion that it is circumstantial... if it even exists at all. We'll explain the research and understanding behind the commonly accepted idea that many people experience a dramatic shift as they enter their middle years.
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Links and References:- https://www.helpguide.org/aging/healthy-aging/midlife-crisis
- https://www.meawisdom.com/midlife-crisis-men/
- https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/health-and-medicine/midlife-crisis-psychology
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/health/midlife-crisis-the-conversation-wellness
- https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/probing-question-mid-life-crisis-myth
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/apr03/researchers
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/midlife-reimagined/202310/the-7-biggest-myths-about-midlife
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastFunctional Analysis pt. 2
In our ongoing discussion about the tool used to determine why we do what we do, the functional analysis, we explore more about the various research initiatives that pioneered ways to improve on the …
Notes de l’épisode
In our ongoing discussion about the tool used to determine why we do what we do, the functional analysis, we explore more about the various research initiatives that pioneered ways to improve on the functionality of this tool. This discussion focuses on the methodological developments and refinements that evolved over a couple of decades of research.
Recommendations- Abraham: Tzolk’in (board game; https://www.czechgames.com/games/tzolkin-the-mayan-calendar)
- Shane: Dungeon Crawler Carl (Books 1-4; Ongoing Recommendation)
Holidays (8/5/2026):- Green Peppers Day
- International Albarino Day
- International Traffic Light Day
- National Oyster Day
- National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day
- National Underwear Day
- Work Like a Dog Day
Links and References:- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
- https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841258/
- Hanley, G. (2012). BAP
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284147/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11317985/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.106
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastMini: One Hit Wonders
What are one-hit wonders? Why do one-hit wonders happen? Is this a real thing? What about no-hit wonders? We'll get into some of the reasons and misconceptions around one-hit wonders and answer some of those …
Notes de l’épisode
What are one-hit wonders? Why do one-hit wonders happen? Is this a real thing? What about no-hit wonders? We'll get into some of the reasons and misconceptions around one-hit wonders and answer some of those questions in this mini. What's your favoriate one-hit wonder?
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Links and References:
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
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