Why We Do What We Do
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Why We Do What We Do episodes

  • Mini: I'm Sorry, But...
    Some people have a real problem with buts. Many of the popular airmchair psychologists love to delivery quick, simple heuristics as panacea and life-coaching advice. The idea that we shouldn't use "but" in our language is an unfortunately and non-functional tool in their arsenal. We explain why it is both conceptually and practically incorrect, and still offer that these hucksters recommendations aren't all bad, just misguided. 

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    https://www.spreaker.com/episode/mini-035-i-m-sorry-but--63230377
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    Links and references from this episode: 
    1. https://medium.com/@mcpflug/using-the-word-but-a-brief-guide-to-sincerity-clarity-ab311a2af6a6#:~:text=to%20sincerity%20&%20clarity-,Mary%20Catherine%20Pflug,afford%20one%2C%20but%20not%20both.
    2. https://anchorlighttherapy.com/avoid-but-in-communication-use-and-instead/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20know%20you%20are%20tired,things%20are%20moving%20too%20fast.%E2%80%9D
    3. https://anchorlighttherapy.com/avoid-but-in-communication-use-and-instead/


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    15 min
  • Musings and Prognostications
    Welcome to the new dictatorship! In this discussion, we reflect on the recent US election and the factors that contributed to the surprising shift in the electorate. We also speculate about the future given the proposed policies of the incoming administration. Prepare for doom and gloom with as much skeptical critical thinking as we can bring to this kind of activity.

    Recommendations
    • Abraham: Boycott bad people and businesses
    • Shane: Pod Save America ( https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america/)


    Holidays (12/04/24)
    • Cabernet Franc Day
    • Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day
    • International Cheetah Day
    • National Cookie Day
    • National Dice Day
    • National Package Protection Day
    • National Sock Day
    • Santa’s List Day
    • Wear Brown Shoes Day
    • Women Wednesday
    • World Wildlife Conservation Day
    • Cookie Cutter Week
    • National Hand Washing Awareness Week
    • National Influenza Vaccination Week
    • National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week
    • National Car Donation Month
    • National Pear Month
    • National Tie Month
    • Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month

    Links and References: 
    1. https://navigatorresearch.org/2024-post-election-survey-the-reasons-for-voting-for-trump-and-harris/
    2. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-grocery-prices-increased-since-140029491.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACJYI_G5bXmqGia5OeGDdwx9t1lJQQfLw_Pnj6hmbzUA2ALHnjQ5zLTuySR43KU1fVoG5TJM0nBbw2a792cvwRzh2GCd0I27apGiiuLwB0A6GJkAS0MAAW7qVHbDYuuyBHryp_mM8Wt_ECtFK8sDBC2lol__C9JI0N-QQ6d6Gmhj
    3. https://www.theglobalist.com/united-states-donald-trump-germany-adolf-hitler-dictatorship-propaganda-politics/
    4. https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-how-change-vote-election-day-1984939


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    1 hr 25 min
  • Mini: (Not) The Definition of Insanity
    A lot of people like to share what they believe is the definition of insanity. What the definition of insanity is NOT is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That is logically incoherent and also just not the definition of insanity. We'll explore where that saying comes from and what the actual definition of insanity is.

    Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links and References: 
    1. https://www.businessinsider.com/misattributed-quotes-2013-10
    2. https://www.history.com/news/here-are-6-things-albert-einstein-never-said


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    11 min
  • The Kuleshov Effect
    How do filmmakers manipulate our emotions and perceptions with just a few cuts? This episode unpacks the Kuleshov Effect, a groundbreaking discovery that revolutionized editing and storytelling in cinema. From Brad Pitt’s infamous “What’s in the box?!” scene in Seven to Pixar’s emotional masterwork Inside Out, we explore how juxtaposing shots creates meaning, evokes emotion, and shapes narrative. We also delve into modern critiques and surprising insights, proving that even the simplest edits can wield extraordinary power—or maybe just leave us scratching our heads.

    Recommendations
    • Abraham: Crime Scene Kitchen (season 3; https://www.fox.com/crime-scene-kitchen/)
    • Shane:  The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (https://www.michaelfinkel.com/books/the-art-thief/)
    Holidays (11/27/24):
    • Thanksgiving tomorrow!
    • Blackout Wednesday
    • National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
    • National Craft Jerky Day
    • National Electric Guitar Day
    • National Jukebox Day
    • National Pins and Needles Day
    • Pie in the Face Day
    • Spitegiving
    • Tie One On Day
    • Turtle Adoption Day
    • What Do you Love About America Day
    • Better Conversation Week
    • Church/State Separation Week
    • GERD Awareness Week
    • National Adoption Week
    • National Deal Week
    • National Family Week
    • National Farm-City Week
    • National Game & Puzzle Week
    Links and References: 
    1. https://nofilmschool.com/Kuleshov-effect-definition
    2. Emotion Recognition and ASD:
      • Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., & Jolliffe, T. (1997). Is there a "Language of the Eyes"? Cognitive Science, 21(1), 67-93.
      • Harms, M. B., Minshew, N. J., & Behrmann, M. (2010). Toward a Selective Social Cognition Profile in Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(7), 949-958.
    3. Perspective-Taking and Theory of Mind:
      • Happe, F., & Frith, U. (1996). The cognitive analysis of social behaviour. Cognition, 50(1-2), 115-129.
      • Saxe, R., & Kanwisher, N. (2003). People thinking about thinking people: The role of the temporoparietal junction in "theory of mind." NeuroImage, 19(4), 1835-1842.
    4. Visual Processing in ASD:
      • Plaisted, K., O'Riordan, M., & Baron-Cohen, S. (1998). Enhanced discrimination of novel, but not familiar, stimuli by individuals with autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39(5), 765-775.
      • Wang, A. T., & Lu, H. (2016). Visual Processing in Autism: A Review of the Literature. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 70, 83-93.
    5. Social Learning and Media Exposure:
      • Moore, C., & Dunham, P. J. (1995). Joint Attention: Its Origins and Role in Development. Psychology Press.
      • Solomon, M., & Bruckner, C. (2012). Media and Social Learning in Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(12), 2617-2626.
    6. Psychology:
      • McHugo, G. J., et al. (2013). The Role of Context in Emotion Recognition: A Review of the Literature. Emotion, 13(2), 236-249.
      • Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.
      • Baird, A. A., & Gernsbacher, M. A. (2003). The Role of Emotion in Communicative Context. Cognitive Science, 27(4), 581-600.
      • Sussman, A. L., et al. (2003). The Influence of Context on Emotion Recognition: A Review. Emotion, 3(4), 399-411.
      • Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.
    7. ABA:
      • Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing Behavior Problems Through Functional Communication Training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18(2), 111-126.
      • Smith, T. (2001). Discrete Trial Training in the Treatment of Autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 16(2), 86-92.
      • Leaf, J. B., et al. (2016). Social Skills Assessment and Training for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behavioral Interventions, 31(4), 461-475.
      • Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied Behavior Analysis. Pearson.
      • Odom, S. L., et al. (2010). Evidence-Based Practices in Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 25(3), 158-169.
    8. Kuleshov, L. (1970). "The Principles of Film Form." In Film Theory and Criticism: Introductory Readings (p. 43-46). New York: Oxford University Press.
    9. https://omny.fm/shows/stuff-to-blow-your-mind/from-the-vault-the-kuleshov-effect-part-2


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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    1 hr 2 min
  • Mini: How Many Books Can You Read in Your Life?
    It's these silly little questions that we don't think about, but are curious to hear the answer. We can estimate how many books someone reads by figuring out how long books are, how fast people read, how many books they tend to read in a year, and how many years they are likely to live. Depending on who you are, that number yields a pretty big range. But probably less than you might have thought..? Listen in and find out!

    Become a member: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links and References: 
    1. https://lithub.com/how-many-books-will-you-read-before-you-die/
    2. https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/population/longevity.html
    3. https://scholarwithin.com/average-reading-speed#:~:text=read%2020%20pages.-,Adult%20Average%20Reading%20Speed,of%20300%20words%20per%20minute.
    4. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/10/are-books-getting-longer-survey-marlon-james-hanya-yanagihara
    5. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2016/09/01/book-reading-2016-appendix-a/
    6. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/average-books-read-per-year-by-country


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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    16 min
  • Bad Arguments
    Some arguments are so bad that if even they were right, they'd be wrong. In this discussion, we unpack a specific example of criminally poor arguments. We take a couple of paragraphs and dismantal each argument. Perhaps this will even give you some ideas for how to take apart weak arguments that you encounter. 

    Recommendations
    • Abraham: Inside Out 2  (https://movies.disney.com/inside-out-2)
    • Shane: Upgrade by Blake Crouch (https://blakecrouch.com/books/upgrade/)
    Holidays 11/20/24:
    • African Industrialization Day
    • Beautiful Day
    • Future Teachers of America Day
    • Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day (G.O.H.A.R.D.)
    • Name your PC Day
    • National Absurdity Day
    • National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
    • Transgender Day of Remembrance
    • Universal Children’s Day
    • American Education Week
    • International Fraud Awareness Week
    • International Restorative Justice Week
    • National Geography Awareness Week
    • World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

    Links and References: 
    1. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/deep-sea-anglerfish#:~:text=At%20the%20end%20of%20the,bioluminescence%20in%20the%20deep%20sea.
    2. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lophius_piscatorius/#:~:text=Anglerfish%20inhabit%20the%20ocean%20at,low%20as%20the%20continental%20shelf.
    3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098119304836
    4. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hurricanes-make-lizards-evolve-bigger-toe-pads-180974772/
    5. https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/a-beetle-gland-illustrates-how-new-organs-evolve#:~:text=An%20ideal%20organism%20to%20address,spray%20predators%20with%20toxic%20chemicals.
    6. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-61045950
    7. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-sea-nomads-may-have-evolved-to-be-the-worlds-elite-divers/




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    1 hr 11 min
  • Mini: Revolving Doors
    What is the deal with revolving doors? How are they trying to control us? Who's behind the cabal of big revolving doors? Just kidding :) There are some very practical reasons for revolving doors, and it's a thing we made as a species, so it's a thing we talk about as a podcast. 

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    Links: 
    1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/revolving-door#:~:text=Revolving%20doors%20consist%20of%20three,be%20manually%20or%20automatically%20operated.
    2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolving_door#:~:text=In%20right%2Dhand%20traffic%20countries,rotations%20are%20mixed%20in%20Britain.
    3. https://godoors.com.au/blog/purpose-of-revolving-doors/#:~:text=As%20the%20doors%20rotate%2C%20this,with%20heating%20and%20air%20conditioning.


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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    16 min
  • Public Speaking
    Public speaking is some people's number one fear. For most people, it is not preferred and can be difficult to master. There is a lot research about public speaking spanning the fear, treatment for the fear of public speaking, and how to improve your delivery of public speaking. We discuss the relative benefits of public speaking, the nature of the fear of public speaking, and some strategies to improve your public speaking. Tell us about your experience speaking in public!

    Recommendations
    • Abraham: The Adam Project (https://www.netflix.com/title/81309354)
    • Shane: The Menu (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9764362/)

    Holidays (11/13/24)
    • National Dream Destination Day
    • Roast Dinner Day
    • National Hug a Musician Day
    • World Kindness Day
    • National Indian Pudding Day
    • Sadie Hawkins Day
    • Symphonic Metal Day
    • National Recycling Week
    • Cairo Film International Festival
    • Anti-Bullying Week
    • Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month
    • Sweet Potato Awareness Month
    • Spinach and Squash Month
    • Prematurity Awareness Month
    • National Raisin Bread Month
    • National Pepper Month
    • National Peanut Butter Lovers Month
    • Whoopi Goldberg’s bday
    Links and References: 
    1. https://www.verywellmind.com/most-common-phobias-4136563
    2. Parvis, L. F. (2001). The importance of communication and public speaking skills. Journal of Environmental Health, 63(9), 44–45.
    3. https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/why-is-public-speaking-important
    4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.1093
    5. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/201711/why-are-we-scared-of-public-speaking
    6. Mancuso, C., & Miltenberger, R. G. (2016). Using habit reversal to decrease filled pauses in public speaking. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(1), 188–192. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.267
    7. Spieler, C., & Miltenberger, R. G. (2017). Using awareness training to decrease nervous habits during public speaking. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(1), 38–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.362
    8. Montes, C. C., Heinicke, M. R., & Geierman, D. M. (2019). Awareness training reduces college students' speech disfluencies in public speaking. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52(3), 746–755. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.569
    9. Pawlik, B., & Perrin, C. J. (2020). Reducing speech disfluencies during public speaking using brief habit reversal. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(2), 1080–1088. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.627


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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    1 hr 8 min
  • Mini: Sensory Friendly Vaccine Kits
    Special guest, Dr. Lauren Brown, BCBA-D, LBA joins us in our first-ever guest-hosted mini to discuss a collaborative effort between behavior analysts and medical professionals to make it easier to receive vaccines for individuals with disabilities. These sensory-friendly vaccine kits are a part of a grant project to investigate some strategies for making shots less aversive. These may actually work for a variety of difficult medical procedures in addition to just vaccinations. 

    Become a WWDWWD member today! www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
     

    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
    16 min
  • Why We Lead the Cheer
    Humans have not universally hired performers to entertain the crowd during professional sports throughout all of human history... which means that it had to start somewhere! What evolved out of this coordinated crowd engagement is a highly athletic and dangerous gymnastics competition that is thing unto itself. Did you know it was entirely male at first? We didn't. We'll talk all about the history and modern sport of cheerleading. 

    Recommendations:
    • Abraham: Salem’s Lot (https://www.max.com/movies/salems-lot/b1aaea47-b2e8-4418-a181-91de7102d04f)
    • Shane: Trap (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26753003/) 

    Holidays (11/06/24)
    • Basketball Day
    • Button Day
    • International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
    • International Stress Awareness Day
    • Marooned Without a Compass Day
    • National Block It Out Day
    • National Eating Healthy Day
    • National Nachos Day
    • Saxophone Day
    • Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
    • Give Wildlife a Brake Week
    • Key Club International Week
    • Medical-Surgical Nurses Week
    • National Diabetes Education Week
    • National Cat Week
    • National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
    • National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
    • World Vegan Month



    Links and References: 
    1. https://usacheer.org/history-of-cheerleading
    2. https://www.theatreinparis.com/blog/why-are-we-clapping-a-history-of-applause#:~:text=Taking%20it%20way%20back%20to,of%20clapping%20together%20in%20admiration.
    3. https://www.scienceforums.net/topic/112634-do-cheers-really-improve-performance/
    4. https://www.cureus.com/articles/68367-the-impact-of-cheering-on-sports-performance-comparison-of-serie-a-statistics-before-and-during-covid-19#!/
    5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9255666/
    6. https://usacheer.org/safety/research
    7. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=3009#:~:text=Cheerleading%20has%20grown%20into%20a,%2C%20tosses%2C%20and%20gymnastic%20moves.
    8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC155424/
    9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8785319/#:~:text=All%2Dstar%20cheerleading%20has%20an,0.8%20per%201000%20athlete%2Dexposures.&text=Although%20all%2Dstar%20cheerleading%20is,are%20other%20types%20of%20cheerleaders.
    10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0191886995000355#:~:text=We%20hypothesized%20that%20people%20who,that%20can%20result%20in%20high
    11. https://online.eou.edu/resources/article/psychology-of-competitiveness/
    12. https://side-out.org/sport-health/pom-pom-for-people-why-cheerleading-is-good-for-humanity/
    13. https://neuliferehab.com/cheerleaders-catastrophic-injuries-cheerleading-dangerous-female-sport/
    14. https://blog-staging.omnicheer.com/post/did-you-know-10-facts-about-cheerleading/


    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
    55 min

About Why We Do What We Do

From the publisher's feed

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.

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