Why We Do What We Do

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?

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/talking-to-yourself
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5986836/
3. https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/is-it-normal-to-talk-to-yourself--what-it-could-really-mean.html
4. https://elemental.medium.com/why-talking-to-yourself-is-a-secret-superpower-5eff091b896c
5. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/defining-memories/202502/7-benefits-of-talking-to-ourselves-aloud
6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-22647-2
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11274574/ 
8. https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/62246/chapter-abstract/550947980?redirectedFrom=fulltext#550947980 
9. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1080/17470218.2011.647039

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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.

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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: 

1. https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/education-inequity-and-homework/
2. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-more-homework-means-more-stress-031114#Pressure-to-work-as-hard-as-adults-takes-a-toll
3. https://time.com/4740297/homework-should-be-banned-from-schools/
4. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2014/03/too-much-homework-031014
5. https://www.edutopia.org/visual-essay/the-pros-and-cons-of-homework-in-6-charts/
6. https://www.hmhco.com/blog/benefits-of-no-homework?srsltid=AfmBOopoMq0OQcXz8KJUHLGU2FowSkNoJG2gxZV9RNB0ZM-Jf5Gk6TDW
7. https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/01/17/are-we-assigning-too-much-homework/
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11409198/
9. https://www.forbes.com/sites/yassprize/2025/10/23/no-homework-no-barriers/
10. https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-case-for-and-against-homework 

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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: 

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
3. https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175 
5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7 
6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51 
7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97 
8. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621 
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841258/ 
10. Hanley, G. (2012). BAP 
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284147/ 
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11317985/ 
13. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.106 

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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/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
3. https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175 
5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7 
6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51 
7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97 
8. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621 
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841258/ 
10. Hanley, G. (2012). BAP 
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284147/ 
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11317985/ 
13. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.106 

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Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://www.helpguide.org/aging/healthy-aging/midlife-crisis
2. https://www.meawisdom.com/midlife-crisis-men/
3. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/health-and-medicine/midlife-crisis-psychology
4. https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/health/midlife-crisis-the-conversation-wellness
5. https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/probing-question-mid-life-crisis-myth
6. https://www.apa.org/monitor/apr03/researchers
7. 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/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
3. https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175 
5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7 
6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51 
7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97 
8. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621 
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841258/ 
10. Hanley, G. (2012). BAP 
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284147/ 
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11317985/ 
13. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jaba.106 

 

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Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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: 

1. https://rocknheavy.net/the-history-of-the-one-hit-wonder-a126b2f86dc2

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

Experimental Functional Analyses (FAs) are one of the most foundational practices in contemporary behavior analysis. It emerged as a more conceptual exercise, but has since come to specifically describe a practice for experimentally evaluating the conditions that give rise to and maintain the occurence of certaing (usually challenging) behavior patterns. Over the next few weeks, we'll unpack the history and science of FAs as well as some of the arguments, criticisms, and controversies therein. Tell us your thoughts and experiences with FAs!

Recommendations

• Abraham: The Bear (Season 5; https://www.disneyplus.com/explore/articles/the-bear-season-5)
• Shane: Fiddlehead - Baby, I’ll Change (https://open.spotify.com/album/1mWHUOXoulUP3q8ReXTAkM?si=WpihrG5CTWKPByLCi6WkyQ)

Holidays (7/29/2026):

• Anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps
• Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day
• International Tiger Day
• National Lasagna Day
• National Lipstick Day
• Rain Day
• Hepatitis Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
3. https://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recording
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175 
5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7 
6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51 
7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97 
8. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07263869500035621 

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