How early do the experiences that shape who we become actually begin? In this episode of Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science, hosts Mike Dougherty and Joey Barnet talk with Dr. Tracy Riggins, a principal investigator on the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study—the largest long‑term study of early brain development in U.S. history. We explore how researchers are following more than 7,000 families from pregnancy through childhood to understand how biology, environment, and lived experience interact to shape the developing brain. Dr. Riggins explains why the study begins before birth, how infant MRI and EEG work, and what the team is learning about prenatal exposure, risk and resilience, and the protective factors that help children thrive.

What if I told you I had developed a new technology that could perceive parts of the color spectrum imperceptible to the human eye? That this technology, with some training, could outperform any known computer, make decisions with near-perfect accuracy, and integrate these exceptional capabilities with a high-fidelity spatial navigation system immune to all known electronic jamming devices—delivering bombs and missiles to designated targets with pinpoint precision? I'm not talking about some newfangled machine learning or artificial intelligence system. I'm talking about the lowly pigeon.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on one of psychology's most bizarre and brilliant experiments: B.F. Skinner's audacious proposal to turn everyday pigeons into a missile guidance system. From the desperate innovation of World War II to the cutting-edge science of operant conditioning, discover how the birds we dismiss as urban nuisances became the stars of Project Pigeon.

Further Information

Brief Video of Project Pigeon on Military.com

Article in American Psychologist summarizing Project Pigeon

Perhaps one of the most widely studied topics in psychological science involves the study of heuristics and biases. Starting with the groundbreaking work of Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, the term "heuristic" became synonymous with decision making, and heuristic mechanisms such as "availability" and "representative" spread throughout psychology and even into popular science. Today, it's hard to imagine an area of cognitive science or economics that has had a greater effect on our understanding of human decision making. In this episode, Mike and Joey discuss some common decision heuristics and biases and the critiques of Tversky and Kahneman's work. Did Tversky and Kahneman have it right? Or, might it be better to recouch decision making in terms of an adaptive toolbox, as proposed by Gerd Gigerenzer?

When we talk about evil, we often imagine monsters, villains, or people fundamentally different from us. Psychology challenges that idea. Research on obedience, conformity, morality, and power suggests that evil isn’t always about who someone is, but about the situations they’re placed in and the choices they’re pushed to make. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Scott Roberts about explore the psychology of evil with Dr. Scott Roberts.

Will listening to Mozart really make your kid a genius? Does music training actually make you smarter? And, what about listening to music while studying for that exam -- is that a good idea? In this episode Bob Slevc breaks down some common beliefs about music. Which are myth and which are fact? Turns out it's complicated ... kinda.

#MozartEffect

#CognitiveTraining

#MusicCognition

#NeuroMyth

In this episode, we tackle the controversial claim that Tylenol causes Autism. But,does it really? How strong is the evidence and might there be alternative explanations for this observation? In this episode, Dr. Desi Jones breaks down what the research actually says, what it doesn't say, and why such claims can be detrimental.

Suggested Readings

• Article with Meta-analysis showing no relationship between acedemphin and Autism Spectrum Disorder:
• The discussed qualitative synthesis used to argue for a relation between tylenol and autism.
• The Swedish population-based study showing no relationship after controlling for siblings.
• Opinion Piece by Dr. Jones in the Baltimore Sun.

Got a buck burning a hole in your pocket and wondering what you could buy that would make you feel good? Think again, because if you're looking to do something for yourself, maybe it's better to make it about someone else. Tune into this episode to learn about how spending your money on someone else can actually make you feel better. We review a few studies that looked into the topic of prosocial spending and found that it's not how much money you have, but how you spend it that matters the most. And, if you want do actually experience the thrill of helping others, join in on Oct 8th 2025 by participating in PSYC Good Deed Day. Learn more by visiting our PSYC Good Deed Website.

(paywalled, sorry!) Aknin LB, Dunn EW, Proulx J, Lok I, Norton MI. Does spending money on others promote happiness?: A registered replication report. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2020 Aug;119(2):e15-e26. doi: 10.1037/pspa0000191. Epub 2020 Apr 6. PMID: 32250135.

Have you ever wondered why you feel a little better after doing something nice for someone else? Turns out there's a legit reason! In this episode, Abi and Mike dive into the research on kindness and how being kind can improve your own mental wellness. But how can we move beyond science and actually leverage this research to change the world through action? Here's a thought: How about we organize a national day of good deeds to promote acts of kindness and good deeds! Tune in to learn about the science of kindness and about PSYC Good Deed Day. If that sounds cool, but you don't want to hear us drone on about science, then go to our good deed ⁠website⁠ to learn more. And, if you're down with the science and want to read more, you can find today's featured articles at the links below:

Naclerio, M., Lazar, L., Hornstein, E. A., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2025). Exploring the effects of prosocial and self-kindness interventions on mental health outcomes. Emotion. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001577 (it's not open access, so you may need to ask APA to send this to you, or contact the authors (at) ucla.edu).

(open access) Cregg, D. R., & Cheavens, J. S. (2022). Healing through helping: an experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18(6), 924–941.

https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2022.2154695⁠

Relationships are an important part of the human experience, and especially for kids. In this episode, we dive into the role of relationships in early childhood education with Dr. Jude Cassidy. Jude shares insights from her decades of research on parent-child relationships and how her newest research taking place in schools throughout three counties in Maryland aims to create a new approach to early childhood education.

By some estimates, nearly 8% college students have ADHD, a neuropsychological condition marked by an inability to sustain attention, difficulty with planning and time management, and disorganization. Despite its prevalence and the impact of ADHD on important life outcomes like GPA, college completion, and earning potential, many universities lack services dedicated to serving this population and helping them realize their superpowers. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, a world-renouned ADHD researcher and founder of UMD's SUCCEEDS program -- a program dedicated to providing academic, social, and emotional support for college students with ADHD. Tune in to learn more about the unique challenges of managing ADHD in college and how her program is filling the breach to enable students to succeed in college and life.

You can read more about the SUCCEEDS program by visiting umdadhd.org. This program is entirely self-supported and depends on the generous donations of good people like you! If you'd like to support the SUCCEEDS program, you may do so by visiting this link or by reaching out to department chair Michael Dougherty at [email protected] or the SUCCEEDS director Andrea Chronis-Tuscano at [email protected].