Posts in Pseudoscience
The History of Psychoanalysis
The History of Psychoanalysis

One of the theories that put psychology into the mainstream was Psychoanalysis, or Freudian psychology. We review the history of Freud and the development of psychoanalytic theory/therapy and the subsequent divide. We also spend a little time on the theory itself, you know, in case you repressed the memory of learning it in school.

Recommendations
- Abraham: The Whatnot Cabinet from Pencil First Games (https://www.pencilfirstgames.com/the-whatnot-cabinet/)
- Shane: Casual Bird Cafe (https://casualbird.com/)

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Therapy, Pseudoscience, Psychological HistoryWWDWWDAbraham, Shanebraham, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Freud, Jung, Piaget, Child DevelopmentComment
What Listening to This Episode Says About You Personality
What Listening to This Episode Says About You Personality

Like astrology and psychics, online personality tests generally use the Barnum effect to trick you into thinking they have something meaningful to say. They're tricksy like that. But they have also been used for extremely nefarious reasons, and in one instance, an implementation that lead to the beginning of the end of democracy in America. Also, we take some personality tests in real time.

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Social Science, Myth-Busting, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAbraham, Shanebraham, Online Personality Tests, Personality, Assessment, Psychology, the Self, Sonic, Psychics, AstrologyComment
Astrology: It's All Fun Until Someone Gets Hurt
Astrology: It's All Fun Until Someone Gets Hurt

Horoscopes are mostly harmless bits of fun. But how do they work? Why do we believe them? And why does the episode title imply harm? Learn more and another vocab term.

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Myth-Busting, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAbraham, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Horoscopes, Astrology, Zodiac, Skepticism, Science, Astronomy, Constellations, Fortune Cookies, divination, prediction, personality, prognosticate, Pseudoscience, stars, Tea Leaves, Witchcraft, SexismComment
Why People Believe Conspiracy Theories
Why People Believe Conspiracy Theories

The 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.

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Human Bias, Myth-Busting, Philosophy, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAbraham, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Conspiracy Theories, COVID Vaccine, Truth, Critical Thinking, Skepticism, CredulityComment
240 | (COVID) Vaccine Hesitancy pt 2
240 | (COVID) Vaccine Hesitancy pt 2

This first discussion briefly explains the COVID Virus, the fallout of the pandemic, and the promise of Operation Warp Speed. We suggested three categories of hesitancy: general (legitimate) reasons, pretend (conspiracy reasons), and Motivated reasons. We only review general reasons for now and will finish the list in the next episode. One takeaway: hesitant people aren’t stupid (most of the time). There are a lot of legitimate reasons to be wary. We disagree with them, of course, but it is helpful to understand where they come from.

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.

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Human Bias, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAbraham, Shane, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Vaccine, COVID, Coronovirus, Operation Warp Speed, Pandemic, Motivated Reasoning, Skepticism, ConservatismComment
239 | (COVID) Vaccine Hesitancy pt 1
239 | (COVID) Vaccine Hesitancy pt 1

This first discussion briefly explains the COVID Virus, the fallout of the pandemic, and the promise of Operation Warp Speed. We suggested three categories of hesitancy: general (legitimate) reasons, pretend (conspiracy reasons), and Motivated reasons. We only review general reasons for now and will finish the list in the next episode. One takeaway: hesitant people aren’t stupid (most of the time). There are a lot of legitimate reasons to be wary. We disagree with them, of course, but it is helpful to understand where they come from.

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.

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Human Bias, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAbraham, Shane, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Vaccine, COVID, Coronovirus, Operation Warp Speed, Pandemic, Motivated Reasoning, Skepticism, ConservatismComment
238 | Goop
238 | Goop

You’re probably going to hear about some products that blow your mind. Also, some products that are most definitely not safe for work. In fact, they might not be safe in general. But that seems to be besides the point, because when you have gained an established brand name, then the possibilities are endless. Grab those consumers by catering toward their wants and needs, and you’ll have them wrapped around your finger forever. That is the Goop way, whether or not it was intended to be. Gwyneth Paltrow has forged her way into the world of wellness in a dynamic way, but not without a question of where good intentions meets ethical responsibility.

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Marketing, Myth-Busting, Pseudoscience, SexWWDWWDAbraham, Shane, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Goop, Gweneth Paltrow, Pseudoscience, Marketing, vagina candle, orgasm candle, jade eggs, vagina steaming, wellness, guru, cult, apple cider, A quiet place part 2Comment
224 | Speed Reading: Read Anything in Normal Minutes
224 | Speed Reading: Read Anything in Normal Minutes

A myth-busting discussion about the broken promise of speed reading. There is an upper limit to what humans are physically capable of doing and speed reading and quantum reading propose to break that physical barrier. So far, the evidence is not looking so good.

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Education, Myth-Busting, PseudoscienceWWDWWDAbraham, Shane, Shane Spiker, Shanebraham, Speed Reading, Reading, Education, Instruction, myth-busting, Mormons, Quantum ReadingComment
147 | Criminal Profiling
147 | Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling may seem like a sham. In many cases, it is. However, we were surprised to learn that there are some researchers putting real science into criminal profiling to better catch criminals such as murderers. It’s nothing like you see on TV shows where the brilliant detective predicts every move and accurately identifies everything about the criminal. Instead, it is much more interesting when science is used to understand real patterns that might occur and put probabilities to the test to solve a case. Fans of true crime are especially likely to find something to enjoy in this one!

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Pseudoscience, How To, Psychological HistoryScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Shanebraham, Skepticism, Science, Crime, Profiling, Criminal Profiling, Psychological Profiling, True Crime, Statistics, Law, Law Enforcement, Detectives, Mystery, Sleuth, David Canter, PoliceComment
146 | Right and Left Brain Personality
146 | Right and Left Brain Personality

Begun in the work on patients with epilepsy, split-brain research suggested maybe people generally rely on one hemisphere of their brain over the other. Except, that doesn’t actually make any sense when you understand how the brain works. Although most people already know this, we expanded on this by elaborating on the history of this idea, and the one or two researchers who have continued to push this line of research despite its lack of fruitful outcomes… or general utility. Still, a lot to learn about this seemingly obvious urban myth.

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Philosophy, Myth-Busting, Pseudoscience, The BrainScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Shanebraham, Personality, Analytic, Creative, Myth, Urban Legend, Roger Sperry, Steven Novella, Science Based Medicine, Skepticism, Magical Thinking, Science Literacy, Science, Bruce Morton, Tests, Left brain, Right brain, Hemisity, Hemisphere DominanceComment
141 | Are Kids Losing Their Attention Span? | Why We Do What We Do
141 | Are Kids Losing Their Attention Span? | Why We Do What We Do

Throughout time, adults have been frustrated by… oh look at that cloud… just kidding :) But really, there is this myth that kids have shorter attention spans than ever before. This is fueled in part by a “study” that apparently doesn’t exist, but nevertheless got picked up by the news. Movies are sometimes used as a metric for shortening attention spans, but it is likely an artifact of competing for people’s time. Also, goldfish are a terrible comparison for attention. In short, no kids are not losing their attention span. Actually, we are probably getting increasingly efficient at identifying and regulating our attention to things that are or aren’t worth our time. Myth busted.

Survey ends in January!

ATTENTION! We are doing a special promotion! If you complete a listener survey, you will earn a WWDWWD sticker in the mail and get entered to win a free t-shirt! The survey shouldn’t take longer than 3-10 minutes and is completely private. We will NOT share your data or information with anyone else. Follow this link https://forms.gle/ogarcXvK7RFZXytS8 to receive a sticker, be entered to win a free shirt, and to help us make the best show for you!

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Children, Myth-Busting, Pseudoscience, Human BiasScott Abraham MillerAbraham, SIT, Pseudoscience, Skepticism, RyanO, Attention Span, Are kids losing their attention span?, Attention, Youth, Kids, Movies, Action, Blue's Clues, Steve, ShaneComment
140 | Sensory Integration Therapy | Why We Do What We Do
140 | Sensory Integration Therapy | Why We Do What We Do

A potentially controversial issue in which we take on sensory integration therapy. Important to note that we are NOT criticizing occupational therapists. We dug deep into the literature on sensory integration therapy and told the story that the data present. That is, we take as diplomatic and charitable a position as we can while remaining honest. Science does not paint a flattering picture.

Survey ends in January!

ATTENTION! We are doing a special promotion! If you complete a listener survey, you will earn a WWDWWD sticker in the mail and get entered to win a free t-shirt! The survey shouldn’t take longer than 3-10 minutes and is completely private. We will NOT share your data or information with anyone else. Follow this link https://forms.gle/ogarcXvK7RFZXytS8 to receive a sticker, be entered to win a free shirt, and to help us make the best show for you!

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Psychological History, Autism, Children, Diagnosis, Myth-Busting, Philosophy, Pseudoscience, TherapyScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Shanebraham, Sensory Integration Therapy, SIT, Science, Pseudoscience, Skepticism, Sensory Oral Feeding, behavior analysis, Behaviorism, JABA, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Ayres, Anna Jean Ayres, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Peer-reviewComment
129 | Tapping Meridian Points | Why We Do What We Do
129 | Tapping Meridian Points | Why We Do What We Do

Meridian points are the gateways through which “chi” flows into our bodies. These specialized pores in our skin conduct chi such that with an appropriate balance we find ourselves in good physical and mental health, but with imbalance we find ourselves in poor mental and physical health. Traditionally accomplished through acupuncture, many argue the same outcome is accessible through applying any kind of attention or pressure to meridian points. Except that every single thing about this is not backed by science, medicine, logic, or common sense. Learn about the damning history of meridian points and why we can and should forever let go of this way of magical thinking.

ATTENTION! We are doing a special promotion! If you complete a listener survey, you will earn a WWDWWD sticker in the mail and get entered to win a free t-shirt! The survey shouldn’t take longer than 3-10 minutes and is completely private. We will NOT share your data or information with anyone else. Follow this link https://forms.gle/ogarcXvK7RFZXytS8 to receive a sticker, be entered to win a free shirt, and to help us make the best show for you!

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Links for Today:

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Human Bias, Myth-Busting, PseudoscienceScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Shanebraham, Meridian Points, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Reflexology, Jim Kwik, Pseudoscience, Skepticism, Skeptical Activism, Placebo, Motivated ReasoningComment
122 | Brain Food | Why We Do What We Do
122 | Brain Food | Why We Do What We Do

There are certain foods that can improve your cognitive performance. Or maybe not. There is evidence supporting the health benefits of some diets over others, but none that shows the neurological benefits of a specific food. Although the claims that brain-food proponents make are not totally inaccurate and are generally good advice, they wildly exaggerate the outcomes of their programs and trick you into buying their stuff. In this discussion, we review the science behind antioxidants, supplements, and other “brain foods,” which ones work and which ones don’t.

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Myth-Busting, Pseudoscience, The BrainScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Skepticism, Diet, Food, Brain Food, Supplements, Lisa Misconi, Max Lugavere, Shanebraham, Harriet Hall, Science, Quack Watch, Science Based MedicineComment
105 | What's Going On With Weighted Vests? | Why We Do What We Do
105 | What's Going On With Weighted Vests? | Why We Do What We Do

Some people use clothing with weights added on children to “help” them manage their challenging behaviors. This is commonly used with children with an autism diagnosis who demonstrate what are called stereotyped behaviors or stereotypy. How are these supposed to work? What does the research say. Don’t worry, Shane and Abraham have you covered. Check out our discussion of the philosophy and research on the use of weighted vests.

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Pseudoscience, Myth-Busting, Autism, ChildrenScott Abraham MillerWeighted Vests, Weighted Clothes, Occupational Therapy, Stereotypy, Ethics, Confirmation BIasComment