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Why We Do What We Do

Why We Do What We Do

By: Abraham
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 We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Copyright Context Media Philosophy Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Scared Straight

    Scared Straight
    Apr 1 2026
    Perhaps this would have made a good Halloween episode? Probably not. Anyway, this episode honors April Fool's day by examining a foolish endeavor: Scared Straight programs. We review the scientific research and philosophy underlying the idea of Scared Straight. Unsurprisingly, this is an idea that is so bad that even the cops don't like it. So, why does it persist...? RecommendationsAbraham: Zootopia 2 Shane: A Wilhelm Scream - Cheap Heat (https://open.spotify.com/album/4fcuCuXF4E22R8Imztwbio?si=62c224dddd324aa6)Holidays (4/1/2026):April Fools DayBoomer Bonus DayEdible Book DayFossil Fools DayInternational Tatting DayLibrary Snap Shot DayLupus Alert DayNational Atheist DayNational Fun DayNational Jump in Muddy Puddles DayNational One Cent DayNational Sourdough Bread DayPoetry and The Creative Mind DaySt. Stupid DayAPAWS International Pooper Scooper WeekGolden Rule WeekLaugh at Work WeekMedication Safety WeekTesticular Cancer Awareness WeekLinks and References: https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter/content.ashx/cops-p288-pub.pdfhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7783688/https://www.wested.org/resource/scared-straight/https://sites.bu.edu/daniellerousseau/2018/12/12/do-all-juvenile-prevention-programs-work/http://users.soc.umn.edu/~uggen/Petrosino_Annals_03.pdfhttps://methods.cochrane.org/equity/scared-straighthttps://www.prindleinstitute.org/2021/06/re-examining-scared-straight-programs/https://www.djj.state.fl.us/content/download/23879/file/scared-straight-(july-2018).pdf?version=2https://www.americanprogress.org/article/doing-what-doesnt-work/ Petrosino, Anthony, Carolyn Turpin-Petrosino, Meghan E. Hollis-Peel, Julia G. Lavenberg, and Alexis Stern. 2014. Scared Straight and Other Juvenile Awareness Programs for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency. No. 12 of Crime Prevention Research Review. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.Petrosino A, Turpin-Petrosino C, Hollis-Peel ME, Lavenberg JG. 'Scared Straight' and other juvenile awareness programs for preventing juvenile delinquency. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD002796. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002796.pub2.https://www.college.police.uk/research/crime-reduction-toolkit/scared-straight https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1033/Wsipp_Evidence-Based-Public-Policy-Options-to-Reduce-Crime-and-Criminal-Justice-Costs-Implications-in-Washington-State_Full-Report.pdf Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
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    54 mins
  • Mini: Magestic Manatees

    Mini: Magestic Manatees
    Mar 30 2026
    Manatees are remarkable and gentle creatures. Possibly the source of mermaid stories of old, these strange aquatic mammals live life on the slow side. Some researchers have learned a lot about their behavior and cognition in recent experiments, so we are going to break down what we understand about manatee behavior and the conundrum of their complex cognitive and social repertoires with their proportionally small brains. Have you seen a manatee up close? Send us pictures!

    Join our supporters' club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

    Links and References:
    1. https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/manatee-authority/10-fun-facts-you-didnt-know-about-manatees/
    2. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/manatees#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20by%20Gordon%20Bauer%2C,150%20hertz%20using%20only%20their%20body%20hairs
    3. https://www.research.ufl.edu/publications/explore/v07n2/manatees.html#:~:text=To%20conclude%20from%20the%20manatee's,large%20clusters%20of%20nerve%20cells.
    4. https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research/#:~:text=The%20MCRP's%20research%20includes:%20*%20**Unmanned%20Aerial,levels%20and%20long%2Dterm%20sublethal%20effects%20of%20stressors
    5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12021893/


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
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    18 mins
  • First Episode Psychosis

    First Episode Psychosis
    Mar 25 2026
    Psychosis is an experience that some people have in which they struggle with the ability to discern their experience from the current ongoing reality. This tends to arise from a variety of possibly traumas. But, the sooner it is treated, the better the prognosis. If you or someone you know is struggling, seek help from a professional.

    Recommendations
    • Abraham: Project Hail Mary (movie; https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/project-hail-mary/umc.cmc.7jxdlxvz304lj3iwhtrhbe8fv)
    • Shane: Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-azerrad/our-band-could-be-your-life/9780316787536/)

    Holidays (25 Mar 2026):
    • American Red Cross Giving Day
    • Bed in for Peace Day
    • Green Independence Day
    • International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
    • International Waffle Day
    • Manatee Appreciation Day
    • National Cerebral Palsy Day
    • National Michele Chafer Half-Moon Cookie Day
    • National Pecan Day
    • Old New Year’s Day
    • Tolkien Reading Day
    • Autism Acceptance Week
    • English Tourism Week
    • National Cleaning Week
    • National Tsunami Awareness Week

    Links and References:
    1. https://dbh.ohio.gov/get-help/treatment-services/coordinated-specialty-care-for-first-episode-psychosis/first-episode-pyschosis/what-is-first-episode-psychosis
    2. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/mental-health-substance-use-disorder/first-episode-psychosis
    3. https://www.mhealthfairview.org/condition/psychosis-first-episode
    4. https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/00485713-20250102-01
    5. https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/initiatives/evidence-based/first-episode-psychosis
    6. https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/step/psychosis/
    7. https://psicosis.som360.org/en/blog/cognitive-symptoms-psychosis




    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

    Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
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    57 mins
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