Why We Do What We Do

Punishment is neither good nor bad, but it can be positive or negative. Puzzle that one out! There is a technical use o of the term and concept of punishment and a lot of interesting research. This discussion primarily does a brief overview of what it is and theories of why we do it. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR o...

Many point to the uniqueness of humans in their language. Others suggest that we just haven't found a way to teach language to other species. This all changed with researchers reported teaching hundreds of signs to primates. But if they were successful, where are all the primates with language? Why aren't there robust or at least existing research programs to teach language to another species? Thi...

Twin studies have been a staple in psychological research for over a century. But many people don't know about the critical assumptions implicit in conducting these studies. Shane and Abraham break down the history of twin studies and the weaknesses that plague them. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwd...

Students experience positive and negative reinforcement throughout their school day. Some of this reinforcement is specifically delivered by teachers, and some of it just occurs as a part of a normal day. What is negative reinforcement and what does it look like in schools. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social v...

Recent pundits have voiced their alarm and concern over the use of behavior modification strategies to create "addictive" patterns of behavior. Who are the people still using this technique? It turns out it is much more common than you might think. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdw...

Why are some people picky eaters, while others are adventurous? Is it evolution? Parenting? Some combination of the two? This isn't a discussion on interventions for feeding disorders or food selectivity. However, it will summarize a slew of scientific articles on how picky eating develops and maintains across the lifetime and the implications of a restricted diet. Remember that you can reach us d...

Many of us have had the experience of looking over the edge and wondering what it would be like to jump or fall. We don't actually want to, but we are curious. Edgar Allen Poe called this The Imp of the Perverse. Freud called it the "Death Drive." There are many theories as to why many people have this experience. Listen in to find out more! Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908,...

People often have seemingly inexplicable taste in music. What is it that that drives us toward our music preferences? Have you ever felt persecuted for your taste in music? Learn about the psychology of why we like the music we like. Also, recommend music for the team to listen to! Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on...

A common cognitive bias we have is that we tend to think that we are better informed and experienced in things that we really are. The examples are practically endless and everyone does it. What are you worse at than you think? Listen in as Shane and Abraham (Shanebraham) describe the study that started a tsunami of research on basic human fallibility. Also, find out what lemons have to do with a...

Schools might be as segregated today as they have ever been. Learn more with Dr. Kent McIntosh as he lends his expertise on racial inequality (disproportionality) in school discipline. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Sometimes we find ourselves faced with so many options that we choose to do nothing at all. What is with going on with that? Shane and Abraham discuss the theories regarding why we freeze in the face of overwhelming options and some strategies to overcome feeling paralyzed by choosing. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR...

One of the most controversial and interesting topics in psychology is understanding how we diagnose mental health disorders. Shane and Abraham explain the history of diagnosis, list some of the diagnostic systems around the world, and some of the major criticisms of these systems. Learn something new about how we diagnose mental health issues. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.090...

The setting: terrible hospital conditions and a poor understanding of mental health disorders. The solution: move patients out of the hospitals and into the... jail? Street? A bus to another state? Yep. Learn all about the process of deinstitutionalizing mental hospitals in the mid-20th century. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comment...

Cramming for a test? Find yourself struggling to remember things that you just ready when studying for class? Just interested in getting better at a particular skill? Don't care? Then this episode is for you! Shane and Abraham (Shanebraham) discuss some of the recommended study methods, how they might work, and what the research says. Even if you don't need to learn to study, there's something to...

Returning for a second discussion of the initial stages of human development, RyanO and Abraham discuss the various birthing processes. In addition, we talk about some of the basic developmental milestones of the first two years of life and raise some awareness around important issues affecting the health and well-being of infants. Do you know how to test that a baby has expected functionality imm...

Learn about the fascinating journey we take through pregnancy and why it’s amazing that we have been successful as a species. Furthermore, we discuss how learning begins while we are developing in the womb. Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.535.0918, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast

Check out the most recent discussion from Shane and Abraham on what could be classified as another pseudoscience entry. Look into our notes and do some of your own research to learn more about weighted vests for children with autism and how they (don’t) work. Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.535.0918, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social v...

Hey, we are pretty excited that we have been able to be sharing our podcast with you for two years! In this episode, we discuss where we’ve been and what we have planned for the next year. We are excited to announce some new things, and we’ll recall some of the bright spots of the last two years. Here’s to another year. Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.535.0918, at inf...

Bullying is an interesting problem in schools. What is it? Is it over-recognized or under-recognized? What works in reducing bullying? This week we are joined by Dr. Scott Ross, the director of the Office of Learning Supports at the Colorado Department of Education, and Brooke Wagner, the PBIS regional implementation coach in Reno, Nevada, who talk about what bullying is, how historical treatments...

Author Frans De Waal claimed on national radio that behaviorism killed research on emotions for most of the 20th century. What a remarkable achievement! Abraham and Shane dig into just what those behaviorists did this time and how they managed to annihilate emotion research... or not. Join us as we uncover the truth behind these incredible claims. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525...

How well can humans multi-task? A lot less than we'd like to believe. Shane and Abraham describe what is really going on when we try and multi-task, why we are so bad at it, and how you can get better at it! Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

This week Shane, RyanO and Abraham welcome on the ABA Inside Track crew for our 100th episode covering some of the weirdest, ineffective, and potentially harmful treatments for autism out there. Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

This week Shane, RyanO and Abraham tackle Epistemology - or the study of how we know what we know! Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

Apologizing is an interesting thing that we do. What do we get out of apologizing? What do we get out receiving them? Abraham and Shane discuss how and why we apologize, the idea of schadenfreude (happiness from the misfortune of others), contrition and penitence. We also spout our own opinions and stories about apologizing. Listen in and learn about this interesting habit we have. Remember that y...