PsychTalks

Before you’re even born, your parents’ health is already shaping your future wellbeing. Welcome to the world of epigenetics: where environmental factors – stress, diet and infection – leave molecular marks on genes, altering their expression across generations.   Professor Anthony Hannan from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health shares how a fath...

Many children are struggling to attend school, but what if we've been getting the story wrong? In this episode of PsychTalks , Associate Professor Sarah Knight and Natasha Staheli explore how children's distress is often mistaken for misbehaviour and why terms like "school refusal" can fail to capture the reality of many children's actual experiences, especially the role of neurodivergence and imp...

If you’ve ever looked directly at a motorcyclist while driving – yet completely failed to see them – you’re not alone. The phenomenon is so common, riders refer to it as a “smidsy” (or, “sorry mate, I didn’t see you”.) Professor Kristen Pammer and Dr Angus McKerral discuss the cognitive demands of driving; explaining how inattentional blindness...

‘Cycle syncing’ has exploded online, promoting the idea that women can optimise their wellbeing by planning everything from workouts to work commitments around their menstrual cycles. But what does the science actually say? Dr Lindsie Arthur cuts through the pop psychology hype and discusses the current research around hormones, behaviour and performance. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Alcohol is a normal part of life for many Australians. But why do some people develop problems with drinking while others don't?  Dr Antoinette Poulton unpacks the link between impulsivity and hazardous drinking, and explains why our decisions around alcohol are shaped by much more than willpower.  From personalised feedback to smartphone-based interventions, we explore how researchers a...

Online sports betting is now part of everyday life in Australia. But how do betting apps actually work, and why are they so hard to ignore?  In this episode, Dr Daniel Bennett explores the psychology behind modern betting products, and how they are designed to keep people hooked. He explains how features like in-play betting, cash-out options and constant advertising shape our behaviour &ndas...

We like to think we’re fair. But what if our minds and our machines don’t always agree? In this special bonus episode of PsychTalks, hosts Professor Nick Haslam and Associate Professor Cassie Hayward are joined by Professor Mahzarin Banaji (Harvard University), one of the world’s leading researchers on implicit bias. Drawing on decades of research across psychology, neuroscience...

We said the season was over – but when the chance to sit down with Professor Alison Gopnik comes along, you make an exception. In this bonus episode, we’re delighted to welcome one of the world’s most influential developmental psychologists for an extended conversation on how our minds grow and change over the lifespan. Drawing on her work on children as “little scientists,...

Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled imagery? Associate Professor Helen Dixon and Jane Martin unpack the psychology, policy and packaging that influence what ends up in our shopping trolleys. They highlight the subtle strategies used to market commercial infant and toddler foods, and disc...

Misinformation and disinformation now pose some of the biggest global risks to democracy and public trust. Associate Professor Piers Howe explains how misinformation and disinformation spreads, and the subtle but influential ways they can shift public opinion, disrupt elections and damage society. With the rise of AI and sophisticated campaigns, he explains why it's more important than ever to sta...

Want tips on how to use power and influence more effectively - whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or asking your preschooler to brush their teeth? Professor Jennifer Overbeck unpacks what sets power apart from influence, how persuasion works, and why gender, identity and context matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the mental health impacts of menopause and how are they connected with our ideas about ageing? Dr Lydia Brown shares insights from her research on self-compassion and how it can help those managing the psychological challenges of menopause. Whether you’re approaching menopause or simply interested in evidence-based strategies for a healthy outlook on ageing, this conversation offers...

What do the names of colours, kinship terms and legal jargon tell us about the human mind? Dr Frank Mollica explores language as a cognitive tool – shaped by culture, adapted for purpose, and far from universal. We dive into how children learn language, how it evolves and why legal language is so confusing. Along the way, we challenge common assumptions about how we think, communicate and le...

Why do some people seem naturally kind or generous? Professor Luke Smillie breaks down personality traits like empathy, honesty and compassion – and how they shape behaviour. Tune into this thoughtful discussion about the ‘prosocial personality’ and discover whether people can become more altruistic over time.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will the Australian government really lock under-16s out of TikTok? Associate Professor Scott Griffiths returns to PsychTalks to unpack Australia’s proposed social media ban. He breaks down the psychological harms driving the policy, the challenges and possible pathways to secure enforcement, and what anxious parents can do to protect kids’ mental health online.  See omnystudio.co...

Could Ozempic do more than help with weight loss? Dr Trevor Steward is uncovering the science behind what’s happening in the brain when people take drugs like Ozempic. His research queries how these medications influence appetite, food-related thoughts, and their potential to turn down the dial on binge eating disorder.  Read more in Dr Steward's article for Pursuit . See omnystudio.com...

Unlock the psychological reasons behind why we hold onto secrets. Associate Professor Katie Greenaway and Valentina Bianchi explore the emotional costs and benefits of keeping secrets. Discover who we often confide in and hear a clinical psychologist’s perspective on being a professional secret-keeper. And take this survey at keepingsecrets.org to compare your secrets with others.  See...

Discover how the AI revolution is entering the world of psychology and clinical practice. Professor Simon Dennis shares his quest to craft AI-driven tools for therapy. Can bots help address the shortage of mental health professionals by providing affordable, 24/7 support? And what are the ethical, practical and philosophical questions behind using therapist bots as part of therapy treatment? Find...

Do 'brain-training' apps or mindfulness exercises really boost our capacity to learn? Professor Iroise Dumontheil shares her research into why we differ in our ability to control our attention, thoughts and behaviour. Hear how these differences impact on our learning and whether cognitive training enhances outcomes in education. Discover how insights from cognitive neuroscience might reshape the f...

Managing pain can be part of life for many of us. Professor Amy Jordan and Associate Professor Natalia Brumley unlock the intriguing relationship between sleep and pain. Find out how different types of pain affect sleep quality, if gender is a factor, and in what ways exercise, blue light and social media consumption might have an impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PTSD is the second most common mental health disorder. Current treatments work for about half of those affected, but are there better options? Professor Kim Felmingham breaks down exposure therapy and explores if pharmacological-based interventions such as MDMA/ecstasy are really the answer. Plus find out what her studies on exercise reveal about this promising potential line of treatment. Visit t...

Studies show there is still a significant gender imbalance in taking on domestic chores and managing a home in most heterosexual relationships. But can this divide also dampen things in bedroom? Dr Emily Harris discusses why women usually take on more, the structural barriers to change and practical strategies for couples. To find out more about her research, visit Emily's website .  See omnystudi...

Explore the fascinating world of adolescent brain development and inhibition with Dr Sarah Tashjian. Find out how different parts of the brain mature during adolescence, the crucial role of sleep and the surprising science behind how teens make decisions. Get science-backed tips on how best to talk to teens about risky behaviours and challenges in their formative years. For recommendations on teen...

Excitement is building for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games – but how do its elite competitors cope with the stress of performing with the eyes of the world upon them? This special episode launching series 3 of PsychTalks unpacks Dr Courtney Walton's latest research into athletes’ mental health. Hear about the strides being made in the professional care of our athlete superstars and how best to sup...

E-cigarette use, or vaping, has quickly become a regular habit for many teenagers in Australia and around the world. Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis talks about the rise of vaping and what steps the government needs to take to curb its widespread misuse. And we ask her: is there a better way to convince young people that vaping might not be the best idea? Discover more about this topic her...