Parts of the Neuron Explained with ThingLink
Have you checked out ThingLink yet? Pretty cool tool. Check out what I did with it by putting tabs onto a neuron image. Each tab pops open a YouTube video
10 of the Most Popular Psychology Podcast Episodes of 2011
Here’s the list of this year’s most popular. Thanks to everyone for helping The Psych Files pass 5 million downloads!
EP 148 What Can We Do To End Gay Bullying in Schools?
What can we do to end bullying against gays? There is a shocking increase in the number of young homosexuals who are commit suicide. Many anti-bullying programs don’t work and in this episode I talk to Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer of Concordia University about what can be done. No one should be bullied and we all need to care about those who are bullied to the point of considering suicide. Find out more in this episode.
On Yawning, Swearing, Credit Cards and Sex: Psych Files Brief #1
In this first “Psych Files Brief” episode, we look at whether swearing actually reduces your sensation of pain (ever stub your toe?), whether or not vertical stripes actually do make you look thinner (no surprise – the answer is no), whether you’re more likely to run up that credit card when you’re feeling low, and why is it (and when is it) that yawns become contagious?
Episode 137: Objectivity and the Scientific Impotence Excuse
Can science study love? Are we able to scientifically determine what romance is all about? There seem to be times, particularly when people hold strong beliefs, that we just don’t want to hear what scientists have to say. We talk a lot these days about the importance of objectivity, but are people – even scientists – capable of being objective? In this episode I’ll talk about the scientific impotence excuse. Another interesting cognitive bias we seem to carry around with us.
Episode 74: Social Influence in a Virtual World – A Virtual Door in the Face
The Foot in the Door and the Door in the Face are two classic social influence techniques that have been heavily studied by psychologists. However, until now, no one has attempted them in a virtual world. Join me for this fascinating conversation with Paul Eastwick, who along with Dr. Wendy Gardner from Northwestern University ventured into There.com to see if … Read More
Episode 65: God and Self Help, Synchronicity, and Listener Feedback
Some of the most popular self help books such as the Power of Positive Thinking and A Course in Miracles rely on references to god and religion. In this episode I add a few thoughts to the previous episode on how scientists view self-help books which rely on references to god.
Episode 43: Email Feedback
The Psych Files podcast started one year ago this week, so I thought I’d share some emails I’ve received over the past year. I just want to thank all of you for being listeners and for sharing your encouragement and your suggestions for the podcast.
Episode 31: Lemon Slices and a New Face on Mars! Gestalt Principles at Work
The gestalt principles of perception – how do they explain how we not only sometimes perceive strange things, but also how we can appreciate works of art? We’ll see images on lemon slices, on Mars, and on building tops. Why do we perceive these things?
