The Doc Analyzes Anything

Why do we have government in the first place? Why do people accept being governed by a relatively small group of people, and what happens when those people start prioritizing power over the people they're supposed to serve? This episode of The Doc Analyzes Anything takes a behavioral and historical look at government, from early rulers and monarchies to modern democracies, political parties, and t...

What happens when a 61-year-old Australian farmer shows up to a 544-mile ultramarathon in overalls, takes out his false teeth, and proceeds to completely dominate? Meet Cliff Young. In this episode Dr. Sparks, Kyle, and Dr. Meow Meow dive into the bizarre and incredible story of the farmer who spent his life running after sheep and then discovered that apparently running for five straight days was...

This episode discusses romantic partner abuse, including physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Why does someone stay in an abusive relationship? Why does abusive behavior sometimes escalate over time? And can we examine the variables that contribute to abuse without excusing the person engaging in it?  Dr. Sparks and Dr. Meow Meow take a behavior-analytic lo...

What is the meaning of life? We don’t know. But apparently Steve decided Costco was the appropriate place to figure it out. This week, the crew abandons anything resembling a planned episode and instead asks the important questions: Why do we keep buying the same crap? Is routine comforting us or slowly crushing our souls? Why do expensive things stop being exciting approximately 14 minutes after...

In this episode, The Doc and crew explore the history, psychology and science of men's facial hair, focusing on why men grow beards and what reinforcers may be obtained along the way. Join us as we discuss cultural trends, historical styles, and the science behind facial hair choice. Have an idea you'd like us to tackle? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com

Are we actually wired to follow rules? In this episode of The Doc Analyzes Anything, Steve, Kyle and Brad take a behavioral look at rule-following, rule-breaking, and the social norms that shape what we consider “acceptable” behavior. Answer: Cultural selection, reinforcement, punishment. Question: why do people follow rules even when nobody is explicitly forcing them to? The group digs into why s...

In the scope of human history, dating used to be associated with courtship, family pressure, and survival. Now it’s app fatigue, mixed signals, and wondering whether a first date or a first text is somehow harder. Dr. Steve, Kyle, and Dr. Meow Meow unpack what changed, why it changed, and examine everything from old-school engagement timelines and Christian purity culture to the rise of online dat...

What makes human language different from communication in other animals? And how does language shape the way we think, learn, interact, and understand the world? In this episode Steve, Kyle and Chad take a deep dive into the behavioral science of human language. We explore the evolution of language, verbal behavior, concept formation, stimulus equivalence, and the ongoing debate between B. F. Skin...

We got a cure for what ales ya! We're talking snake oil today. From grifters to modern-day alternatives, scientific evidence be danged! We talk the history, the promises, and implications of snake oil and its salespeople. Have a topic you want us to tackle? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com

Niche interests! Are you a competitive unicyclist? LARPing extraordinaire? From ancient human behaviors to modern hobbies like car collecting and home theater setups, we discuss why people develop these passions, how communities form around them, and what drives our obsession with the obscure. In this episode, we explore a variety of niche interests, hobbies, and the cultural phenomena behind them...

Ever notice that when something bad happens, part of you almost wants it to be really bad? Why is a broken bone more validating than a sprain? Why are people disappointed when the "storm of the century" turns into a few inches of snow? Why do some people seem to find comfort in talking about their suffering? In this episode of The Doc Analyzes Anything, Dr. Steven Sparks, Kyle, and Dr. Meow Meow e...

Today we're providing order to the chaotic world of hoarding and digital clutter. When does the concept of "waste not" mean you can't walk to your own bathroom? Is it psychology? Learning history? Is there anything even wrong with hoarding? Also, what kind of pickles person are you?  We're here for it today. As always, email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com if you have a topic you'd like us to tac...

Extreme behavior! What is it and can we analyze it like any other human behavior? Also, who is playing Brad in the biopic? Lisa Nowak and the diaper journey, survival situations, and social norms. Dig into the real-life stories, psychological insights, and the thin line between normal and extreme actions today. Have a behavior you'd like to see us analyze? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com  

Today we explore the dark history of societal attitudes and policies concerning individuals with disabilities, from ancient times to today. With this context we then discuss a recent opinion released by the DOJ suggesting a reversal of policy precedent for home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities, an opinion at odds with the decisions of the Olmstead Act of 1999. This on...

In this 50th episode (woo hoo!) , we dive into the strange and entertaining world of conspiracy theories. From secret tunnels beneath Disney parks and hidden moon bases to claims that birds are government drones, we explore why these ideas capture people's imaginations. Along the way, we talk about what psychology tells us about conspiracy thinking, why our behavior may be prone to finding pattern...

We're talking artificial intelligence! Whether it's making a picture of a squirrel with a top hat for us or all out world domination, imagine the future of human-AI interaction with us! Have a topic you'd like us to analyze? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com.

Does your dog look at you and think "I wonder if this is truly all there is to life?" Is your cat plotting its great world takeover? Today we're talking animal cognition, language, problem-solving, and the differences between human and animal thought processes from a behaviorist lens. Have an idea you'd like us to analyze? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com  

Let's jump into the psychology and behavior behind life hacks. In this episode the Doc and crew examine their effectiveness, motivations, and potential pitfalls. From DIY solutions to clickbait tricks, discover what makes some hacks work and others fail. From boiling pasta tricks to the science of dowsing rods, discover what works, what doesn't, and what might just be a fun myth. Look for a chicke...

Steve and Kyle team up in California while Chad joins from his cardboard box. We talk about the societal implications of denied access (you know, watching that celebrity roll up in the Lamborghini) and how simply through witnessing others enjoy various stimuli, those activities become conditioned reinforcers for us.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Human Behavior Analysis 08:00 Reinforcement and It...

Fan submission! Thanks Mel for the suggestion. Alright, we're exploring the world of bar behavior, from the social dynamics of college bars to upscale whiskey lounges. We've got some personal anecdotes, an analysis of different types of patrons, and insight into how environment influences our bar-havior.  Join us as we explore the nuances of social behaviors at bars, from handshakes and drink choi...

It's another week and another TaDAA. Today we explore the good bad and ugly history of education from ancient times to modern day, discussing how societal, political, and technological changes have shaped learning systems. Can education could be improved for a more equitable and effective future? We'd like to think so. Have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com.

Today we dive into the complex nature of good and evil, exploring societal norms, historical shifts, and psychological experiments that challenge the idea of inherent morality. Join us as we analyze how context, culture, and perception shape our understanding of right and wrong. Have a topic for our show? Email us at thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com

Taylor joins Steve and Kyle to discuss the Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn story and an analysis of misconduct, investigations, and criminal behavior. We look at how systemic failures and systemic biases could have led to wrongful accusations and sinus the importance of scientific rigor in criminal investigations. Have an episode topic? Email us a thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com.  Chapters 00:00 I...

Today Dr. Sparks explores the complex nature of schizophrenia, including its symptoms and treatment approaches from a behavioral science perspective. We discuss the role of neurotransmitters, the impact of environment, and how behavior modification could aid in managing symptoms.  keywords schizophrenia, mental health, behavior analysis, neurotransmitters, hallucinations, delusions, treatment, men...

Kyle and Chad and Steve go for it with this mind-bending conversation about how memory actually works. Brainwashing and the Mandela effect: did you know Mickey Mouse doesn't wear suspenders? The big theme is simple but kind of unsettling. Our memories are way less reliable than we think, so a little skepticism goes a long way. Plus Kyle finds all the props! If you have an idea for us, email thedoc...