Why We Do What We Do

Abraham
  • 4.5 (87)
  • 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. 17h ago

    Functional Analysis pt. 1

    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 CorpsCheese Sacrifice Purchase DayInternational Tiger DayNational Lasagna DayNational Lipstick DayRain DayHepatitis Awareness Week Links and References:  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1994.27-197?sid=nlm%3Apubmedhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111?sid=nlm%3Apubmedhttps://scubed.io/blog/aba-data-collection-methods-explained-frequency-duration-and-interval-recordinghttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-175 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jaba.7 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-51 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-97 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

  2. 2d ago

    Mini: Animal Chiropractic

    We did a full episode on chiropractic, but we didn't get into the application for animals. Given the questionable nature of chiropractic in the first place, applying to animals seems pretty audacious. Enough so that we thought we could unpack it fairly comprehensively in a mini format. And we did. Enjoy! Support us on Patreon! Links and References:  https://skeptvet.com/2013/04/from-science-based-medicine-veterinary-chiropractic/https://www.reddit.com/r/VetTech/comments/1ojt29c/chiropractic_skeptic/ https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/chiropractic-vertebral-subluxations-science-vs-pseudoscience/ 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. Jul 22

    Birding!

    Tens of millions of people in the United States and likely hundreds of millions around the world have a shared interest in our avian friends. Birding is a hobby ranging from casual observation to expert documenting rare and common birds out in the wild. We'll describe how the hobby works, why people do, and how to get involved. Tell us your birding stories! Recommendations Abraham: “Season of Surrender” by August Burns RedShane: Jackass - Best and Last (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39316472/) Holidays (7/22/2026): Casual Pi DayFragile X Awareness DayLion’s Share DayMango DayNational Hammock DayNational Penuche Fudge DayRat Catcher’s DaySpooners (Spoonerism) DaySummer Leisure DayCaptive Nations WeekCoral Reef Awareness WeekHemingway Look Alike DaysMassage is for Every Body WeekNational Moth WeekNational Triathlon WeekNational Zookeeper Week Links and References:  https://magazine.avocadogreenmattress.com/birding-bird-watching/https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-12/birdwatching-americahttps://www.aba.org/aba-area-big-year-rules/https://www.audubon.org/birdinghttps://www.nps.gov/articles/birding-for-beginners.htmhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sex-murder-and-the-meaning-of-life/202601/seven-reasons-you-should-take-up-birdwatching-thishttps://www.10000birds.com/reasonstobecomeabirdwatcherhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2024/jan/08/why-do-middle-aged-people-love-birds-so-much Ratcliff et al. (2008) https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013916518806952?__cf_chl_f_tk=VXtBzZ9XKT46gHdh.rztYMOeSy8BlGcd00oA2ldf9BE-1783235319-1.0.1.1-WV4Rf6a9p_VxCL6LqTTGD2WHvAhJd1GWviF4cZHvkf0https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34646931/ 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. Jul 20

    Mini: What is the Point of Science?

    It seems like an obvious answer to a silly question. But try to answer it and you find it can kind of spiral into more difficult conundrums. This doesn't mean that we don't value science. On the contrary, it may mean that it means science is a value unto itself and hence elusive in its aspirational origins. We'll review some old philospohical arguments and make some of our own. What do you think the point of science is? You are one click away from being an elite Patreon supporter! Links and References:  https://isciencemag.co.uk/features/dear-science-students-five-philosophers-of-science-you-need-to-know-about-and-why-you-should-care/https://undsci.berkeley.edu/the-philosophy-of-science/  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. Jul 15

    Nostalgia: Altruism

    An all truism about altruism. We are reflecting on this earlier episode with a more nuanced view than the first time around. When it comes to matters of philosophy, definitions are important (and, some might argue, not important at all). So, we are replaying this past episode and adding a bit of an updated discussion at the end, plus some new recommendations. Tell us what you think about altruism! Recommendations Abraham: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (https://www.searchlightpictures.com/ready-or-not-2-here-i-come)Shane: The Bear (Season 5) and the Gary episode (https://www.hulu.com/series/gary-8c779d24-233d-4453-a22d-455a1862f913) Holidays (7/15/2026): Be A Dork DayI Love Horses DayNational Give Something Away DayDevelopmental Disability Professional DayNational Stamp Out Spiking DayNational Gummi Worm DayNational Hot Dog DayNational Pet Fire Safety DayNational Respect Canada DayNational Tapioca Pudding DayTake Your Poet to Work DayNational Baby Food WeekNational Ventriloquism WeekOperation Safe Driver WeekRabbit Week Links and References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33705185/2.     https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62652-13. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13504851.2022.20366784.      https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/isre.2020.09495.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37751434/6.   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38748709/ 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. Jul 13

    Mini: How Many Senses Do We Have?

    How many senses do we have? Like so many things, it depends entirely on how you define "senses." If the question is how many distinct things can we sense? Then, we have a number of sense so large it doesn't make any sense (pun intended). But, we'll get into some of the senses that can be reasonably argued to exist to paint a picture of how many potentially overlooked "senses" we might have. Join us on Patreon! Links and References:  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233832.htmhttps://www.sciencealert.com/humans-may-actually-have-over-30-senses-scientists-sayhttps://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/how-many-senses-do-we-have/https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/blog/how-many-senses-do-we-have 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. Jul 8

    American Sign Language pt. 2

    In this discussion, we get into the grammar and structure of ASL. We also talk about non-manual markers and their importance in communication for ASL speakers. We describe how to do several signs and get into a functional analysis of sign language. Of course, we get into some various interesting tidbits (tidboints, as we sometimes like to call them) and some things to know about deaf culture.  Recommendations (Part 2) Abraham: Widow’s Bay (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/widows-bay/umc.cmc.1zzly0vah46bnvnwf0qkrjhh2)Shane: GOD//MAN - LOVES YOU EP  Holidays (7/8/2026) Be a Kid Again DayCoca Cola DayMath 2.0 DayNational Freezer Pop DayNational Ice Cream Sundae DayNational Milk Chocolate with Almonds DaySCUD Day (Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama)Air Conditioning Appreciation DaysBe Nice to New Jersey WeekNational Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee WeeksNude Recreation WeekendBlueberry DayWorld Allergy DayShark Week Links and References:  https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_hearing_losshttps://www.bridgesfordeafandhh.org/deaf-historyhttps://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/no-longer-deaf-pasthttps://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/the-sage-deaf-studies-encyclopedia/chpt/deaf-history-antiquity#_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy3mD7rH1aY https://www.northwestschool.com/programs/s-e-e-classes/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVNSrGy8lIw https://www.tactilecommunications.org/Resources/ProTactile 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. Jul 6

    Mini: Iran Deal pt. 2

    In our strange decision to record a two-part mini, we are following up last week's mini with more information about the recent Iran "deal." Of course, we recorded this well before the cease-fire broke again. And who knows what will happen between scheduling this episode and its publication. Check out this discussion for the discussion around the contents of the actual recent agreement and how incredibly incompetent it is.  Support us on Patreon! Links and References:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqiTJDmddghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tehYRuem0Ahttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/middle-east-experts-weigh-terms-of-u-s-iran-deal-and-who-came-out-ahead https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/nea/p5/index.htmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp8HrM0hEH8&t=17s https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-us-attack-iran-trump-administration/  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
    603
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Context Media
  • Show Website
    Why We Do What We Do