Why We Do What We Do

Abraham
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

  1. 12 HR AGO

    Scared Straight

    Perhaps this would have made a good Halloween episode? Probably not. Anyway, this episode honors April Fool's day by examining a foolish endeavor: Scared Straight programs. We review the scientific research and philosophy underlying the idea of Scared Straight. Unsurprisingly, this is an idea that is so bad that even the cops don't like it. So, why does it persist...?  Recommendations Abraham: Zootopia 2 Shane: A Wilhelm Scream - Cheap Heat (https://open.spotify.com/album/4fcuCuXF4E22R8Imztwbio?si=62c224dddd324aa6) Holidays (4/1/2026): April Fools DayBoomer Bonus DayEdible Book DayFossil Fools DayInternational Tatting DayLibrary Snap Shot DayLupus Alert DayNational Atheist DayNational Fun DayNational Jump in Muddy Puddles DayNational One Cent DayNational Sourdough Bread DayPoetry and The Creative Mind DaySt. Stupid DayAPAWS International Pooper Scooper WeekGolden Rule WeekLaugh at Work WeekMedication Safety WeekTesticular Cancer Awareness Week Links and References:  https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter/content.ashx/cops-p288-pub.pdfhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7783688/https://www.wested.org/resource/scared-straight/https://sites.bu.edu/daniellerousseau/2018/12/12/do-all-juvenile-prevention-programs-work/http://users.soc.umn.edu/~uggen/Petrosino_Annals_03.pdfhttps://methods.cochrane.org/equity/scared-straighthttps://www.prindleinstitute.org/2021/06/re-examining-scared-straight-programs/https://www.djj.state.fl.us/content/download/23879/file/scared-straight-(july-2018).pdf?version=2https://www.americanprogress.org/article/doing-what-doesnt-work/ Petrosino, Anthony, Carolyn Turpin-Petrosino, Meghan E. Hollis-Peel, Julia G. Lavenberg, and Alexis Stern. 2014. Scared Straight and Other Juvenile Awareness Programs for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency. No. 12 of Crime Prevention Research Review. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.Petrosino A, Turpin-Petrosino C, Hollis-Peel ME, Lavenberg JG. 'Scared Straight' and other juvenile awareness programs for preventing juvenile delinquency. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD002796. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002796.pub2.https://www.college.police.uk/research/crime-reduction-toolkit/scared-straight https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1033/Wsipp_Evidence-Based-Public-Policy-Options-to-Reduce-Crime-and-Criminal-Justice-Costs-Implications-in-Washington-State_Full-Report.pdf 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

    54 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Mini: Magestic Manatees

    Manatees are remarkable and gentle creatures. Possibly the source of mermaid stories of old, these strange aquatic mammals live life on the slow side. Some researchers have learned a lot about their behavior and cognition in recent experiments, so we are going to break down what we understand about manatee behavior and the conundrum of their complex cognitive and social repertoires with their proportionally small brains. Have you seen a manatee up close? Send us pictures! Join our supporters' club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References:  https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/manatee-authority/10-fun-facts-you-didnt-know-about-manatees/https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/manatees#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20by%20Gordon%20Bauer%2C,150%20hertz%20using%20only%20their%20body%20hairshttps://www.research.ufl.edu/publications/explore/v07n2/manatees.html#:~:text=To%20conclude%20from%20the%20manatee's,large%20clusters%20of%20nerve%20cells.https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research/#:~:text=The%20MCRP's%20research%20includes:%20*%20**Unmanned%20Aerial,levels%20and%20long%2Dterm%20sublethal%20effects%20of%20stressorshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12021893/ 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

    18 min

  3. 25 MAR

    First Episode Psychosis

    Psychosis is an experience that some people have in which they struggle with the ability to discern their experience from the current ongoing reality. This tends to arise from a variety of possibly traumas. But, the sooner it is treated, the better the prognosis. If you or someone you know is struggling, seek help from a professional. Recommendations Abraham: Project Hail Mary (movie; https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/project-hail-mary/umc.cmc.7jxdlxvz304lj3iwhtrhbe8fv)Shane: Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-azerrad/our-band-could-be-your-life/9780316787536/) Holidays (25 Mar 2026): American Red Cross Giving DayBed in for Peace DayGreen Independence DayInternational Day of Remembrance of the Victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave TradeInternational Waffle DayManatee Appreciation DayNational Cerebral Palsy DayNational Michele Chafer Half-Moon Cookie DayNational Pecan DayOld New Year’s DayTolkien Reading DayAutism Acceptance WeekEnglish Tourism WeekNational Cleaning WeekNational Tsunami Awareness Week Links and References:  https://dbh.ohio.gov/get-help/treatment-services/coordinated-specialty-care-for-first-episode-psychosis/first-episode-pyschosis/what-is-first-episode-psychosishttps://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/mental-health-substance-use-disorder/first-episode-psychosishttps://www.mhealthfairview.org/condition/psychosis-first-episodehttps://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/00485713-20250102-01https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/initiatives/evidence-based/first-episode-psychosishttps://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/step/psychosis/ https://psicosis.som360.org/en/blog/cognitive-symptoms-psychosis  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

    57 min

  4. 23 MAR

    Mini: Name Traditions

    Does your name mean anything? Many cultures around the world choose names because they have some explicit, intended meaning, while others assign names for familial connections, or just because they like the way certain names sounds. We review a handful of naming conventions around the world. Let us know what your name means. support us on Patreon Links and References: https://www.uslanguageservices.com/blog/naming-traditions-across-cultures-and-languages/#:~:text=In%20many%20African%20cultures%2C%20names,and%20the%20Akan%20in%20Ghana.https://blog.duolingo.com/naming-traditions-around-the-world/ 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

    12 min

  5. 18 MAR

    Nostalgia: Mithridatism

    This is another nostalgia, re-release of a previous episide with a brief update at the end. This is a discussion of the idea to ingest poison to build a tolerance to it? Is the poisonous juice worth the proverbial squeeze? No, probably not. You might just be slowly causing permanent damage to your insides. Enjoy! Recommendation Abraham: Avatar: Way of Water (https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-e6ef640e-787e-4477-aba4-9e05925ebac2) Holidays (03/18/26) Sloppy Joe DaySmall Bussiness Development Centers DayAwkward Moments DayTransit Driver Appreciation DayForgive Mom and Dad dayLacy Oatmeal Cookies DayBlack Pudding Day Updated reference:  https://www.iflscience.com/mithridatism-can-you-really-become-immune-to-poison-by-taking-microdoses-69576 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

    57 min

  6. 16 MAR

    Mini: Computer Music

    AI music is not only here to stay, it is rapidly gaining in mainstream popularity. We briefly discuss the history of computer music, the changes it has made to music and where we think the future of music is headed in the AI zeigeist. Stay for the AI song tribute at the end of the episode (this song is the AI generated content flagged for this episode) support us on Patreon Links and References: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/17/ai-generated-music-is-going-viral-should-the-music-industry-worry.htmlhttps://www.loudly.com/blog/ai-in-music-production-key-trends-shaping-the-future-beyond-2025https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/13/ai-music-spotify-billboard-charts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_music https://symphony.org/study-music-getting-louder-more-homogenous/ https://www.economist.com/babbage/2012/07/26/same-old-song?fsrc=scn%2Ftw%2Fte%2Fbl%2Fsameoldsonghttps://pudding.cool/2018/05/similarity/ 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 episode includes AI-generated content.

    21 min

  7. 11 MAR

    Nostalgia: 10 Ways to Ruin Your Sleep

    This is a re-run (nostalgia) of our fun-spirited discussion about how to ruin your sleep. We play the entire episode, plus some added research from the last five years. Have you taken on the challenge to never sleep again? (Please don't) Recommendations Abraham: Famous by Blake Crouch (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790216/famous-by-blake-crouch/)  Shane: Bugonia ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12300742/) Holidays (11 March 2026): 311 DayDebunking DayDream DayJohnny Appleseed DayNational Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition DayNational Immune System DayNational No-Code DayNational Sofrito DayOatmeal Nut Waffles DayWash Your Nose DayWorld Day of Muslim Culture, Peace, Dialogue, and FilmWorld Plumbing DayGirl Scout WeekNational Aardvark WeekNational Bubble Gum WeekLinks and References:  https://en.hdbuzz.net/better-sleep-better-function-new-study-links-sleep-quality-to-clinical-outcomes-in-huntingtons-disease/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250905-how-your-microbiome-affects-your-sleephttps://news.asu.edu/20260227-health-and-medicine-study-uncovers-another-reason-not-skimp-sleephttps://news.asu.edu/20260227-health-and-medicine-study-uncovers-another-reason-not-skimp-sleephttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945725005441 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6033330/#:~:text=Epidemiologic%20research%20has%20shown%20that,is%20related%20to%20sleep%20disorders  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

    1hr 6min

  8. 9 MAR

    Mini: Top 100

    This is our 100th mini! So, we spend the mini talking about the number 100! Things that humans, make, some facts about non-human animals... and human animals. A random smorgasbord of things about 100. Enjoy! Become our 100th patron by signing up 99 friends and then joining yourself. www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References: https://lionel-kesztenbaum.site.ined.fr/en/everything_about_population/demographic-facts-sheets/focus-on/the-inexorable-rise-of-centenarians-and-supercentenarians#:~:text=Until%20the%20mid%2D20th%20century,in%202070%20(Blanpain%202023).https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/why-do-people-live-to-100-and-how/#:~:text=Takeaways,to%20much%20later%20in%20life.https://www.nathab.com/blog/animals-that-live-to-100 https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2021/12/29/7-longest-living-ocean-animals/ https://www.threads.com/@podcastingbusinessschool/post/DTquU6vDgF7/only-of-podcasters-make-it-to-episodes-this-is-unfortunate-because-your-first https://www.theigc.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Yeo%20Thompson%20et%20al.%20Working%20Paper%20September%202024_0.pdf https://qz.com/994937/on-average-it-now-takes-at-least-four-different-writers-to-craft-a-hit-pop-song https://www.billboard.com/lists/every-artist-with-100-hot-100-chart-hits-drake-taylor-swift/ https://blogs.baylor.edu/soe/2019/08/08/fun-facts-about-the-number-100-08-08-2019/  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

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Information

  • Creator
    Abraham
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    569
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Context Media
  • Show Website
    Why We Do What We Do

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