Why We Do What We Do

Abraham
  • 4.5 (88)
  • Social Sciences
  • 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. 1d ago

    The Many Books of B.F. Skinner pt. 1

    Skinner eventualy did become a writer. In fact, he is well known for many of his books, although he authors substantially more articles, lectures and essays. We spend this and the next episode reviewing Skinner's many books and how they are important, and somem of our opinions about them. What's your favorite Skinner book? Part 1 Recommendations Abraham: Alien: Fate of Nostromo (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/332321/alien-fate-of-the-nostromo)Shane: Backrooms (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26657236/?_ssoLoop=1) Holidays (11/11/2026): Air DayArmistice DayBonza Bottler DayDeath/Duty DayDomino DayInternational Pathology DayMetal DayNational Homunculus Awareness Day - MINI homonculusNational Sundae DayOrigami DayRed Lipstick DayVeteran’s DayDear Santa Letter WeekHome Care Aide WeekInternational Week of Science and PeaceNational Book Awards Week Links and References:  ·        https://www.bfskinner.org/·        https://www.readersvibe.com/author/bf-skinner-2584d28c16 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

  2. 3d ago

    Mini: Qualitative Analyses

    Data are often depicted as numbers. However, data can include narrative observations. This is called qualitative data. We believe there is a lot of value to qualitative data, so we are making the case for qualitative data. Of course, it's not perfect. So, we point out the arguments against it as well.  Support us on Patreon Links and References: https://www.britannica.com/science/qualitative-chemical-analysishttps://www.nu.edu/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-study/ https://dovetail.com/research/examples-of-qualitive-data/https://www.greenbook.org/insights/qualitative-market-research/8-examples-of-qualitative-research https://skimle.com/blog/qualitative-research-examples https://www.thoughtco.com/evidence-darwin-had-for-evolution-4030723 https://brainly.com/question/51299881 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

  3. Nov 4

    B.F. Skinner: A Life

    B.F. Skinner was a profoundly impactful figure in modern psychology. His work set the foundation for the field that now consists of tens of thousands of professionals around the world. Yet, we have discussed him little, and few people are familiar with many of the details of his life. We decided to spend our final suite discussing various aspects of Skinner. What's your favorite Skinner fact? Recommendations Abraham: Scariest House in America (season 3; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/scariest-house-in-america/step-inside-the-scariest-house-in-america-season-three-renovation-pictures)Shane: Carry Your Heart by Louis Busch (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Carry-Your-Heart/Louis-Busch/9781668206171) Holidays (11/4/2026): International Stress Awareness DayKing Tut DayNational Block It Out DayNational Candy DayNational Easy-Bake Oven DayNational Eating Healthy DayNational Skeptics DayNational Waiting for the Barbarians DayUse Your Common Sense DayDrowsy Driving Prevention WeekGive Wildlife a Brake WeekNational Allied Health WeekNational Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation WeekNational Cat Week Links and References:  https://www.bfskinner.org/archival-materials/biographical-information/https://www.biography.com/scientists/bf-skinnerhttps://www.verywellmind.com/b-f-skinner-biography-1904-1990-2795543Skinner, B.F. (1976). Particulars of my life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 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

  4. Nov 2

    Mini: Regulations Gone Good and Bad

    Many argue against government regulations. But, it seems they often seem to ignore the regulations that have saved their lives, or the ones that industries affected by the regulations have asked for. Nevertheless, it is true that regulations don't always work as intended and sometimes cause new problems. We list a few regulations that serve an important purpose and some that have failed.  Patreon with us! Links and References:  https://www.brookings.edu/articles/10-success-stories-of-government-action-in-the-us/https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2015/05/government-regulation-costs-lower-benefits-greater-than-industry-estimateshttps://www.sec.gov/spotlight/sec-employees/psrw50ways.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDqGzMdhL1M&t=8shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1AdkgpGLkhttps://sensiblesafeguards.org/issues/the-benefits-of-regulation/https://www.independent.org/article/2015/07/16/5-unintended-consequences-of-regulation-and-government-meddling/https://www.changelabsolutions.org/blog/10-harmful-local-lawshttps://www.mercatus.org/research/working-papers/how-do-federal-regulations-affect-consumer-prices-analysis-regressive  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

  5. Oct 28

    Possessed

    For our last Halloween-season-themed episode, we are talking about possessions. We have discussed exorcisms in the past. So, for this discussion, we dug more into the philosophy of science for bringing a skeptical analysis to possessions. We had a lot of fun doing it, too.  Recommendations Abraham: A Walk in the Park (by Kevin Fedarko; https://www.kevinfedarko.com/a-walk-in-the-park)Shane: Werewolf by Night (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15318872/) Holidays (10/28/2026): Champagne DayInternational Animation DayLung health DayNational Chocolate DayPlush Animal Lovers DaySeparation of Church and State DayStatue of Liberty Dedication DayWild Foods DayAce WeekAmerican Massage Therapy WeekBrain Tumor Awareness WeekDisarmament WeekInternational Magic WeekPro Bono Week Links:  https://apnews.com/article/portland-san-francisco-oregon-cff13a56cd41997553ea3e9a8fc21384https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/25/4-degrees-demonic-possession/985256007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z110720e110720v000001&gca-ft=164&gca-ds=sophihttps://www.servantsuniversity.com/the-assumptions-of-science/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2156020https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1525/aa.1958.60.2.02a00040https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1548-1352.2008.00013.xhttps://brill.com/view/journals/jocc/8/1-2/article-p23_2.xml 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

  6. Oct 26

    Mini: What Scared Us As Kids

    Our fears change over time. What scares us when we were young is not so scary when we get older. And, what scares us when we get older, does not scare us when we are young... sometimes. We explain the kinds of things that scare us as kids and how and why they change.  Join us on Patreon! References: Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (1920). Conditioned emotional reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 3(1), 1–14. doi.org [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

  7. Oct 21

    The Warrens

    The super famous ghost-hunting couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren are the subject of some of the most popular scary stories and pop-culture media. And if history has taught us anything, it is that when people are successful in this way, it is driven by money. We dive into the history of Ed and Lorraine Warren, their ghost-hunting expoits, some of their most famous cases, and some of the darker, sketchier aspects of their lives and career.  Recommendations Abraham: Ghosts love candy, too (https://25thcenturygames.com/products/ghosts-love-candy-too)Shane: Paleblood - Childhood’s Beginning and Yharnam Sunrise (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YVTlhDkU8OcWDKNO2aC8c?si=e_iDrPDiTDWQ8Onz5jvwEA) Holidays (10/21/2026): Apple DayBabbling DayBack to the Future DayCaramel Apple DayCelebration of the Mind DayCheck your Meds DayCount Your Buttons DayGarbanzo Bean DayGlobal Dignity DayInternational Day of the NachoInternational Print DayMedical Assistants Recognition DayNational Pumpkin Cheesecake DayReptile Awareness DayBullying Bystanders Unite WeekFood and Drug Interactions Awareness WeekFreedom of Speech WeekNational Nuclear Science WeekNational Wolf Awareness Week Links and References:  https://warrens.net/https://ihorror.com/ed-and-lorraine-warren-were-the-real-monsters-during-their-investigations/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU3-7FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWZYQU1BZzJoWDF5QWpic3dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEehqsRRTst02ju-CEAI-c2HVUdzvHqswm3vDGyhEpKUr-Ni9B5m_66RFTG8so_aem_iS3LoKxeQyoYxDAyOjWGFw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTUApqR4Wohttps://www.shortform.com/podcast/episode/stuff-you-should-know-2026-01-06-episode-summary-the-warrens-paranormal-power-couplehttps://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/conjuring-controversy-unraveling-the-warrens-legacy/https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/conjuring-controversy-unraveling-the-warrens-legacy/ https://nightscrawlers.ca/2019/10/10/ed-lorraine-warren-the-original-paranormal-investigators/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/war-conjuring-disturbing-claims-behind-a-billion-dollar-franchise-1064364/ 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

  8. Oct 19

    Mini: The Winchester Mansion

    The story of The Winchester Mansion is shrouded in a carefully curated concoction of fanciful stories. These stories have largely been exaggerated or even entirely fabricated. The house is a strange labyrinth of over 160 rooms and curious features such as doors that open to walls and stairs that lead to nowhere. The original proprieter of the mansion, Sallie Winchester, has similarly had her story mutated into something only vaguely representing her life and architectural decision.  Links and References: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/08/the-truth-about-sallie-winchester-and-the-mystery-house-that-never-was/https://www.history.com/articles/winchester-house-haunted  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

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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
    633
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Context Media
  • Show Website
    Why We Do What We Do

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