Brain Buzz

In Episode 12 we are joined by Rachele Benjamin from the Culture & Self Lab at the University of British Columbia. We discuss what uncertainty is and why it makes us feel uncomfortable. Rachele shares with us what the uncanny valley is and why it makes robots so spooky. Why are humanlike things distressing? What is the uncanny valley? How do you avoid a brain-freeze? All this and much more in Uncertainty, Spooky Robots, and the Uncanny Valley with Rachele Benjamin!

In Episode 11, and Part II of our II Part series on male sexuality, we are joined by Lanna Petterson from the Vasey Lab at the University of Lethbridge. We discuss male sexual orientation, attraction, and arousal across cultures. How do researchers measure sexual arousal? How does culture influence sexual expression? Does transgender pornography consumption differ across cultures? How do you pronounce gynandromorphophilia? We answer all that and more in Male Sexual Orientation and Gynandromorphophilia with Lanna Petterson.

In Episode 10, and Part I of a II Part series on male sexual orientation, we are joined by Scott Semenyna from the Vasey Lab at the University of Lethbridge. We discuss mate competition in cultures that include third gender individuals and what the consequences are for sexual interactions in these populations. How do genders differ in their competition for sexual partners? How does culture impact the expression of sexuality? How do female sexual partners respond to infidelity from their male partner with third gender individuals? All this and more in Mate Competition in Third Gender Cultures with Scott Semenyna.

In Episode 9 we are joined by Danielle Rice from the Clinical Psychology program at McGill University. We discuss different opioid therapies and learn about how clinicians compare the efficacy of each treatment. What are the benefits of different psychosocial therapies when given to patients receiving pharmaceutical treatment? How do clinicians choose a treatment plan? What has better outcomes, abstinence or harm reduction? We answer those questions and more in (Meta)analysing the Opioid Crisis with Danielle Rice.

In Episode 8 we are joined by Patrick Laflamme from the University of British Columbia's Vision Lab. We consider how we can simulate human behaviour using computer models and contemplate the implications of artificial intelligence that behave like humans. Are brains computers or computers brains? Are artificial intelligence systems as complex as the brain? What are the consequences of using artificial intelligence? That and more in The Snake and the Stick: Artificial Intelligence with Patrick Laflamme.

In Episode 7 we are joined by Dr. Benjamin Cheung from the University of British Columbia's Department of Psychology. In this episode we get a behind the scenes look at how a professor gets ready for a course, and all the carefully thought out preparations that happen long before the first day of class. Have you ever pondered how a professor writes an exam or how they prepare a lesson? Do you wonder how grading happens and how the instructor feels about grading? What happens to instructor reviews once class ends? And, what's up with learning styles? We answer these questions and more!

In Episode 6 we discuss the ABCs of parenting with Sara Colalillo from the Parenting Lab at the University of British Columbia. We chat about how affect, behaviour, and cognition play important roles in parenting. How does a parents emotional state impact their relationship with their children? How does the perception of their child's behaviour determine a parents response? When does cognition play a role? Can parenting style cause mental health issues?

In Episode 5 we are introduced to Adri, a transplant from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia currently studying Clinical Psychology at the University of British Columbia. His research interests include popular technologies such as social media and video games, and how there use may impact our psychopathology/social relationships, and vice-versa. His actual interests include music (listening, playing, attending) and video games.

In Episode 4 we meet Yvette Graveline of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Thought Laboratory at the University of British Columbia. We talk dreams, imagination, and mind wandering, and how they are all intertwined. What is mind wandering and how often do we do it? Is your imagination different from mine? Should we be analyzing our dreams?

In Episode 3 we are introduced to Gabriel Brooks and Mario Ferrari, members of the Centre for Gambling Research at the University of British Columbia. Gabriel discusses the importance of personality on gambling behaviour while Mario introduces us to the relationship between hormones and problem gambling. We consider the perception of gambling, and gamblers, in the media.