We expand on the environmental processes that create a context for depression. We elaborate on the pros and cons of the "diagnosis" of depression and how a behavior analyst would approach a client with depression. Listen in for part 2!
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreDepression is a major mental health diagnosis and concern worldwide. A variety of treatment options have been developed by many disciplines, but a behavior analytic alternative has yet to enter the mainstream. Today’s episode will offer a behavior analytic interpretation of depression as it related to behavior patterns and contingencies, and offer a basis of treatment that could produce positive outcomes for a variety of clients.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreIs exercise good for your mental health? A lot of people certain think so. We dig into the research and philosophy about if exercise is mentally healthy and if so, how?
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreThe majority of people who buy into conspiracy theories are victims of fraud. Unfortunately, they can become zealous, proselytizing mouthpieces for those conspiracies, which makes them unsympathetic to many. Conspiracies primarily work by exploiting human biases and insecurities. Listen in to find out more about why your weird friend is dedicated to their crystals and mythological beliefs.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreWilliam James, or Billy Jilly as we called him in this discussion, is often referred to as the father of modern psychology. Indeed, his writings and philosophy were instrumental in the orientation to psychology that made it a science. If you didn't know or didn't remember much about him, this is a great revisit of who he was. Also, it is likely that his accomplishments overshadow those of other because he was a white man born into wealth and privilege, and we go after a college for their history of racism and sexism.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreFactitious disorder by proxy (FDbP) is a mental illness in which a caregiver, often a parent, exaggerates, fabricates, or induces illness in someone they care for, such as a child or elderly person. The motive for FDbP is usually to gain attention or sympathy for themselves by appearing to be a devoted caregiver. FDbP can cause serious harm to the victim and often involves a long and complex pattern of deception. Treatment typically involves therapy for both the caregiver and the victim.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreYou might have thought it was 2021, and for most people out there, it is. But around the world, some cultures still cling to alternative measures of time, mostly based on the solar cycle but numbered or ordered differently based on deeply held traditions and values. These alternative calendars celebrate important milestones, memories, and events that define a given culture, and preserving those traditions means the survival of the group as a whole.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreDon’t poison yourself. Some people do and they do it on purpose, but not to die. In fact, they do it to prevent an early death. This practice is called Mithridatism, named for the legend of Mithridates the King of Pontus who took small doses of poison to prevent assassination attempts. One of our early chemists, Mithridates’ scientific work lives on today. In fact, the theme of Mithridatism is commonplace today in many things that we do.
Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.
Read MoreThis is a discussion as normal, but also is a story about four people who found themselves in a unique situation. In this episode, we dig into the psychology of people who, while alive, donate organs anonymously to strangers. We review how organ donation works, the advantages and disadvantages of living donors, and why people do it.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreGet your stretchy pants and a dense rubber mat and prepare to be lead in a psychological stretch! This discussion covers what yoga is, the benefits to psychology, its relation to behavior analysis, and skepticism about some of the wild claims. Whether or not you’re a yogi, there is something here for you!
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreFinally, a nuanced discussion about cancel culture. There are good and bad things about this modern version of the stockades, or exile. It’s actually a very old practice in civilization, and, like many things, shouldn’t be black and white, but be given some thoughtful discussion. This is a strategy that can work to hold people accountable for bad behavior, but it is also wildly unpredictable and inconsistent. Do you cancel? Do you fight against it? Do you not care? Either way, join us for a dazzling conversation about the newly revitalized phenomenon.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreMoney is at the crux of most wonders and evils in the world. While we like to think our values are centered around culture, religion, family, etc, money has a clever way of interjecting on our priorities.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreThis form of abuse and manipulation is particularly insidious because of how comprehensively it can affect people in all aspects of their lives. We talk about whether people know that they are gaslighting, why it works, why people do it, and what you can do about it.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreInterpretation in all its glorious forms. This episode explores the nuances of interpretation as they relate to translation of language, explanation of natural and behavioral phenomena, and data analysis. A complex history of exposure to different circumstances may have a substantial impact on how you interpret data, language, or any event. We explore the variables that contribute to how one’s interpretation forms and what it may be swayed in any direction by.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreEuphemisms have a significant place in cultures around the world, offering playful substitutions to mask otherwise offensive, uncomfortable, and dodgy terms. Why such alternatives are chosen by society will be discussed, and the positive or negative impact it may place in certain communities.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreSo many references to Isaac Asimov’s books on robots. A ton of pop culture references. A ton of jokes. Throwing public figures under the bus. How behavior analysis can save us from AI. And an update to the laws of robotics. Your general awesome WWDWWD podcast episode
Listen in, and 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.
Read More"Human nature" is often used as an excuse, explanation, justification, or assumption for the good and bad things that we do. Although we can make general statements about human voluntary and involuntary behavior, most of the time that people invoke this phrase, they claiming ignorance or giving up understanding. No more! it is difficult to argue that a behavior is "human nature" if not all humans do it. It's also nonsense to assume that studies of WEIRD populations reflect the majority of people. The most scientific thing we can say is that human nature is just what we do in the contexts in which we do it. It's the "what we do" part without the "why" part.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreDreams are nocturnal hallucinations we do while asleep. Why do we do it? There are some hypotheses, but how it works is more interesting. Specifically, we carry our experiences with us and they are cued by environmental stimuli. By the way, there is nothing to dream interpretation.
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreThis is Abraham’s passion episode! We talk a bit about the history of tabletop games, what board games are, and why people do (or don’t) play them. Plus Abraham makes about 60 recommendations (see below). Let us be your board game bartender!
Listen in, and 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.
Read MoreHave you ever heard someone self-describe as “socially liberal and fiscally conservative?” If that grinds your gears, you might be avoiding conflicting thoughts altogether and falling victim to motivated reasoning. Life isn’t black and white, but if you’re comfortable in your own beliefs then you probably haven’t heard another opinion in a while. Behavior analysts especially should echo our essential attitude of Philosophical Doubt and always consider the unseen variables at play. The world is an ever-changing platform of complication and contention, but we can continuously work together for the greater good by monitoring our systems
Listen in, and 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.
Read More
