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

  • Democrat-Republican Switch
    The party of national programs, federal regulations, and taxes: The republicans! If you're in the 1700s-1800s. At some point, the policies of the parties switched from the democrats to the republicans and the other way around. What happened? How? And Why? Let's dig into the history.

    Recommendations
    - Abraham: Ghosts (TV Series; https://www.cbs.com/shows/ghosts/)
    - Shane: Wakanda Forever (https://www.marvel.com/movies/black-panther-wakanda-forever)

    References and Links
    1. https://www.livescience.com/34241-democratic-republican-parties-switch-platforms.html
    2. https://dk.usembassy.gov/da/youth-education-da/the-american-political-system/history-of-the-democratic-and-republican-parties/#:~:text=The%20Democratic%20Party%20largely%20stayed,the%20modern%20Republican%20Party%20platform.
    3. https://dk.usembassy.gov/da/youth-education-da/the-american-political-system/history-of-the-democratic-and-republican-parties/#:~:text=The%20Democratic%20Party%20largely%20stayed,the%20modern%20Republican%20Party%20platform.
    4. https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/bryan-william-jennings

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    48 min
  • EMDR
    This treatment involves moving your eyes back and forth while engaging in systematic desensitization. And maybe a purple hat. Does EMDR work for PTSD or other mental health issues? We unpack the "philosophy" and science behind EMDR. What's there, what isn't, and how we might tell the difference.

    Recommendations
    - Abraham: Verdant (game: https://www.flatout.games/verdant)
    - Shane: IT by Stephen King (https://stephenking.com/works/novel/it.html)

    Links and Sources
    1. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
    2. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/emdr.asp
    3. VanElzakker, M. B., Dahlgren, M. K., Davis, F. C., Dubois, S., & Shin, L. M. (2014). From Pavlov to PTSD: the extinction of conditioned fear in rodents, humans, and anxiety disorders. Neurobiology of learning and memory, 113, 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2013.11.014
    4. Hoogsteder, L. M., Ten Thije, L., Schippers, E. E., & Stams, G. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of EMDR and TF-CBT in Reducing Trauma Symptoms and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Adolescents. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 66(6-7), 735–757. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211010290
    5. https://centerfordiscovery.com/understanding-actually-happens-emdr-therapy/
    6. Menon, S. B., & Jayan, C. (2010). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: a conceptual framework. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 32(2), 136–140. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.78512
    7. Shapiro, F. (1989), Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. J. Traum. Stress, 2: 199-223. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490020207
    8. Cuijpers, P., Veen, S., Sijbrandij, M., Yoder, W., & Cristea, I. A. (2020). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for mental health problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive behaviour therapy, 49(3), 165–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2019.1703801
    9. Rajaraman, A., Austin, J.L., Gover, H.C., Cammilleri, A.P., Donnelly, D.R. and Hanley, G.P. (2022), Toward trauma-informed applications of behavior analysis. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 55: 40-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.881
    10. https://phtherapies.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/emdr-empirically-supported-treatment-or-pseudoscience/
    11. Herbert, J. D., Lilienfeld, S. O., Lohr, J. M., Montgomery, R. W., O'Donohue, W. T., Rosen, G. M., & Tolin, D. F. (2000). Science and pseudoscience in the development of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: implications for clinical psychology. Clinical psychology review, 20(8), 945–971. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-7358(99)00017-3
    12. https://www.theskepticsguide.org/podcasts/episode-896

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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    58 min
  • Nostalgia: Do We Have Free Will?
    If we had to ask... This is a revisit of our discussion from April 2018 with a little more conversation with the new host (Shane).

    Recommendations
    - Shane: Sell Out (Book by Dan Ozzi; https://www.danozzi.com/books/sellout)
    - Abraham: Hocus Pocus 2 (https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/hocus-pocus-2/4Q5cWHlnVCun)

    Links and resources:
    Links
    Bannerman, D. J., Sheldon, J. B., Sherman, J. A., & Harchik, A. E. (1990). Balancing the right to habilitation with the right to personal liberties: The rights of people with developmental disabilities to eat too many doughnuts and take a nap. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23(1), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1990.23-79

    Clayton, M. (2018). The song remains the same: A review of Harris’ Free Will. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 41(2), 653-656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-018-0140-2

    Coyne, J. (2015). Free Will. In J. Brockman (Ed.), This idea must die (pp. 153-158). HarperCollins Books.

    Friman, P. C. (2021). There is no such thing as a bad boy: The Circumstances View of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(2), 636-653. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.816

    Harris, S. (2012). Free Will. The Free Press.

    Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1982). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Analysis & Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-4684(82)90003-9

    Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Free will. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freewill

    Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Free Press.

    Skinner, B. F. (1971). Beyond freedom and dignity. Alfred Knopf.

    Witts, B. N., & Ward, T. A. (2014). A review of Sam Harris’s Free Will. The Psychological Record, 64(1), 139-142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-014-0018-y

    https://behavioralinquiry.com/2019/09/18/philosophic-doubt-when-scientific-inquiry-matters/

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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    1 hr 11 min
  • Shrug ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    While shrugging is a common expression, used by many cultures, the explanation as to why we shrug is still vague and for the most part an unanswered question. Perhaps warranting a shrug to answer its own question. While empirical data and theories are limited, a few people, most notable Darwin, did try to provide theories such as why. Theories extend from it being an expression of one’s emotions to convey uncertainty or dismissive to their listener to a primitive expressive act that humans innately engage in.

    Recommendations
    Abraham: VOTE! Support science-supporting candidates
    Shane: Archers of Loaf - Reason in Decline (new album; https://open.spotify.com/album/248FBJsqTT5aXWsQzyzpyf?si=Ivha3b2hTA6kacVVFGUrSw)

    Links and References
    - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug
    - http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?pageseq=1&itemID=F1142&viewtype=text
    - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPN2717RMLY
    - http://kensycooperrider.com/blog/origins-of-the-shrug
    - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0145482X0009400902?casa_token=osepvyNFZN4AAAAA%3A16yxNAS8KzTXPtFt4211l-h7x8ZOpO1dzkOnSYRleifsPVwxee_351yF-jwoAbseO3yg4N1_h66PUw&
    - https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/semi.1977.19.1-2.13/html
    - https://www.jstor.org/stable/26203884?saml_data=eyJzYW1sVG9rZW4iOiI5MDE3NWU1Ny1lMzNjLTQ1ZmItODIzZi00NTM2OGQ5ZGY4YzgiLCJpbnN0aXR1dGlvbklkcyI6WyJmOTI0NWE1OS1mMzExLTRmYWUtYmM3NS05ZWU3YzdmMWZjZWYiXX0&seq=4#metadata_info_tab_contents
    - https://benjamins.com/catalog/getpdf?webfile=a34225979

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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    53 min
  • Tales from the Cryptids
    These are the strange, often horrifying, sometimes cuddly mythical creatures of lore. Sometimes they are meant to scare us away from dangers, sometimes to gain obedience, and sometimes to explain the unexplainable. We talk about several cryptids throughout history and what role they served. The season finale of our halloween-themed topics!

    Recommendations
    Abraham: Endless Winter: Paleoamericans (https://shop.asmodee.com/endless-winter-5-paleoamericans-ewp01)
    Shane: Cloakroom - Time Well (https://open.spotify.com/album/4IVYDbl6kEWudawwIDQoLh?si=b__2l6uxSnSr41BcjR7-Mg)

    References and links:
    https://www.thatsmags.com/guangzhou/post/11322/china-s-top-five-creepy-cryptids
    https://exemplore.com/cryptids/9-Mysterious-Monsters-of-Africa

    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
  • Serial Killers
    The one you've all been waiting for. Maybe. Where did the term "serial killer" come from? Where have serial killers been active around the world? Most importantly, why do they kill people? We do our best to unpack the ins and outs of serial killers for this years installment of our halloween-themed topics

    Recommendations
    Abraham: Culina Plant-Based Yogurt (https://www.culinayogurt.com/)
    Shane: Werewolf by Night (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15318872/)

    Links:

    1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/201406/origin-the-term-serial-killer
    2. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6637&context=etd
    3. https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder
    4. https://fakehistoryhunter.net/2019/09/15/serial-killer-not-coined-by-fbi-in-1970s/
    5. https://www.britannica.com/list/7-of-historys-most-notorious-serial-killers
    6. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/what-explains-the-decline-of-serial-killers
    7. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/what-makes-a-serial-killer
    8. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/201909/understanding-what-drives-serial-killers
    9. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/american-psychos-10-modern-serial-killers-youve-never-heard-of-102597/
    10. http://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Serial%20Killer%20Information%20Center/Serial%20Killer%20Statistics.pdf
    11. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/5-myths-about-serial-killers-and-why-they-persist-excerpt/
    12. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/prisoner_tbi_prof-a.pdf

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    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
    59 min
  • It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's...
    We're not sure what it is... It's unidentified! In this Halloween spooky pod, we take on the history of the pursuit of extraterrestrial visitors. We talk about where the idea of "flying saucers" came from, and several key pieces of "evidence." We also explain cattle mutilation and crop circles. Even if you knew all of that, there are still a few surprises!

    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
    1 hr 12 min
  • The VooDoo Queen of New Orleans
    VooDoo isn't sticking pins in dolls to cause pain to a victim. Actually, it's highly cultural and unique and often helpful. Madam Marie (Paris) Laveau is a fascinating character to tell the story of VooDoo in New Orleans. Welcome to our Halloween Season 3!

    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
    1 hr 2 min
  • Why Pets?
    Humans having been keeping animals around for a long time as workers and pest control. Do they serve another purpose all these centuries later? We explore the proportion of our lives that pets consume, why we keep them, and other ways animals/pets participate in our lives.

    Recommendations
    Abraham: Bullet Train (https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/bullettrain)
    Shane: The Woman King (https://www.thewomanking.movie/)

    References and Links:
    1. https://www.nature.com/articles/276608a0
    2. https://nautil.us/why-did-the-ancients-bury-their-dogs-like-family-members-237208/
    3. Fine, A. H., Beck, A. M., & Ng, Z. (2019). The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues that will Shape the Future. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(20), 3997.
    4. https://monster.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Legendary_Creatures
    5. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/news-egyptian-animals-mummies-archaeology
    6. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp
    7. https://iancommunity.org/cs/articles/asds_and_animal_assisted_therapies
    8. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2015/15_0204.htm
    9. https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/applied-behavior-caab-application.php
    10. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/how.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fhealthypets%2Fhealth-benefits%2Findex.html
    11. Ein, N., Li, L., & Vickers, K. (2018). The effect of pet therapy on the physiological and subjective stress response: A meta-analysis. In Stress and Health (Vol. 34, Issue 4, pp. 477–489). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2812
    12. Leng, M., Liu, P., Zhang, P., Hu, M., Zhou, H., Li, G., Yin, H., & Chen, L. (2019). Pet robot intervention for people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. In Psychiatry Research (Vol. 271, pp. 516–525). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.032
    13. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202105/why-we-love-our-cats-and-dogs#:~:text=The%20researchers%20found%20pet%20owners,interactions%20with%20family%20and%20friends.
    14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4266064/
    15. https://time.com/5670965/veterinarian-suicide-help/

    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
    1 hr 9 min
  • Of Tyranny and the People
    People are frequently imprisoned when the pose a threat to the authority of people in power. Most of these were people who did little or nothing besides criticize those in power or something even just know someone who criticized those in power. We discuss several examples of this and many of the implications.

    Recommendations
    Abraham: The Devil All The Time (Netflix Movie)
    Shane: Noam Chomsky’s On Anarchism (https://thenewpress.com/books/on-anarchism)

    Links and Resources
    1. https://www.state.gov/voices-of-political-prisoners/
    2. https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/defending-freedoms-project/who-are-prisoners-conscience
    3. https://www.rferl.org/a/explainer-political-prisoners/24881810.html
    4. https://memohrc.org/en/specials/guidelines-definition-political-prisoner
    5. https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/detention/
    6. https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-prisoner
    7. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/mlk-topic/martin-luther-king-jr-arrests
    8. https://www.mkgandhi.org/chrono/arrestofmahatma.php
    9. https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/capitol-breach-cases
    10. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10455752.2018.1530835?cookieSet=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/wwdwwdpodcast
    1 hr 6 min

About Why We Do What We Do

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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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