PsychTalks

We’ve all heard the old saying that watching too much TV rots your brain. How much truth is there to this – especially when it comes to kids paying attention in school? Should parents feel guilty about their kids’ screen time? Associate Professor Katherine Johnson has the answers. Read about the featured study here . Featuring Associate Professor Katherine Johnson. Katherine's research is in the a...

Today, trigger or content warnings pop up in much of the media we consume, and have spread to universities and classrooms. But are these warnings actually helping us? Do they make us avoid triggering material, or at least minimise the potential harm involved, if we do see it? This episode, featuring Dr Ella Moeck, invites you to rethink trigger warnings and how we might best deal with confronting...

We've heard that social media can warp perceptions about our bodies, dieting and appearance. So what happens when TikTok invents a new type of algorithm – one that's incredibly powerful at tapping into our inner desires and anxieties? Join us for a new series of PsychTalks and hear Dr Scott Griffiths chat about his astonishing study on how TikTok can harm those vulnerable to eating disorders.  Dis...

Mindfulness and meditation are ancient practices that can now be accessed via your smart phone. Mindfulness is everywhere: there’s mindful learning, mindful parenting, mindful business leadership — even mindful soldiers. We’re told these practices reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. And they're being sold for billions. If something sacred has been co-opted by capitalism, is it...

User Experience Researcher and Certified Meditation Teacher Nerida Lennon shares the full version of her loving kindness style meditation exercise. As featured in the episode Mindfulness and meditation: the search for authenticity.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, big data is exploited by corporations and misused by hackers, usually to make money. And we're practically inundated with instances of online privacy violations and data breaches. But some experts believe we can better harness the power of big data for scientific research. By getting a fine-grained picture of individuals, big data research could vastly strengthen diagnosis and treatment of...

We've discovered what makes a good fear appeal ad, but what about the ones that miss the mark? Hear our expert Associate Professor Cassie Hayward's take on the Australian Government's Covid-19 vaccination campaign.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Government and advocacy groups want us all to make healthier and safer choices. Yet, changing undesirable behaviour is notoriously challenging. Why then are fear appeal ads – when done well – such an effective means to jump-start us into action? This episode looks at the ways the Victorian TAC — Transport Accident Commission — leverage fear appeal ads to reduce our road death tolls. Hosted by jour...

Misinformation is being weaponised in the media and politics, and many fall down the conspiracy theory spiral. In what ways do our brains predispose us to believe in misinformation? How is our current information environment – especially social media – aiding the spread of ‘fake news’? And can you actually convince true believers to let go of conspiracy theories? Hosted by journalist Lynne Malcolm...