Why We Do What We Do

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. Recommendations - Shane: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12412888/) - Abraham: The Thing About Pam (Hulu; https://www.nbc.com/the-thing-about-pam) Links and sources: - https://lesley.edu/article/personality-development#:~:text=Personalities%20are%20based%20on%20subjective,ones%20that%20are%20increasingly%20complex. - https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-dark-history-of-iq-tests-stefan-c-dombrowski - https://www.kqed.org/news/11781032/a-landmark-lawsuit-aimed-to-fix-special-ed-for-californias-black-students-it-didnt#:~:text=U.S.%20District%20Judge%20Robert%20Peckham,that%20has%20such%20a%20ban. - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10203631/Adele-reveals-magazine-personality-quiz-divorce.html - https://nobaproject.com/modules/the-replication-crisis-in-psychology - https://digest.bps.org.uk/2016/09/16/ten-famous-psychology-findings-that-its-been-difficult-to-replicate/ - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-accurate-are-personality-tests/ - https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/07/the-internet-is-one-big-personality-test/531861/ - https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/opinion/cambridge-analytica-facebook-quiz.html - https://archives.cjr.org/behind_the_news/in_search_of_the_ur-quiz.php

English, particularly American English, is not only a weird hodgepodge of many other languages and cultures from around the world and at different times, but it is also full of expressions and sayings that, without context, sound like nonsense gibberish. Why do we say these things? What do they mean? And where do these sayings come from? Strap in because we are all in the same boat as we paint the town red in our deep dive about idioms! We had a lot of fun and hopefully you'll think it's oll korrect as well. Recommendations Abraham recommended the 2021 film, Nobody (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7888964/) Shane recommended the 90s pop-punk band, Mock Orange. He even made you a playlist! (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Ppf6t5C9v6xBz2p0T9CAN?si=80e8b4d379654528) Links and References 1. https://bestlifeonline.com/strange-american-sayings/ 2. https://isaccurate.com/blog/weird-american-sayings-and-expressions 3. https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-people-use-idioms 4. https://www.britannica.com/list/7-everyday-english-idioms-and-where-they-come-from 5. https://prowritingaid.com/art/1065/a-complete-guide-to-idioms.aspx 6. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/81624/origins-19-skin-expressions

Most people sat through a painful routine performance appraisal, likely an annual one. How many of these are effectively designed to be productive? How many people actually remember what they were supposed to work on from that last review in the fall right before the chaos of the holidays? If done correctly, an appraisal can identify help performance improve as well as highlight employee achievement and growth. Few are done correctly. Avoiding falling into familiar traps of ineffective feedback may be fundamental to success. Today’s episode will identify several strategies that can strengthen employee review systems to help both the employee and the company find the best outcomes possible. Recommendations Abraham: Antlers (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7740510/) Shane: Radical Candor by Kim Scott (https://www.radicalcandor.com/) Links and References -Carr et al. (2013) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3680147/ -Friman (2021) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jaba.816 -DiNovi & Gavoni (2021) https://www.amazon.com/5-Scientific-Laws-Life-Leadership/dp/1954759258/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1407096W1LT9I&keywords=dinovi+gavoni&qid=1647779916&sprefix=dinovi+gavoni%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2 -https://hbr.org/2011/11/delivering-an-effective-perfor -https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/giving-performance-feedback

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. Recommendations: Abraham recommended the exercise phone case: Tribe Water Resistant Cell Phone Arm Band (https://www.tribefitnessusa.com/products/armband) Shane recommended the new film adaptation of Dune (https://www.dunemovie.com/). What did you think? Do you have any recommendations for book adaptations? Links and References: 1. https://gizmodo.com/why-believing-in-astrology-is-not-as-harmless-as-you-th-1595802206 2. https://statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu/2020/04/11/42552/ 3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/astrology/Purposes-of-astrology 4. https://www.thehoroscope.co/birthday-analyser/January-18-1986-horoscope-and-zodiac-sign-meanings-13176.html 5. https://jungleworks.com/technology-and-the-2-2-billion-astrology-market-why-is-online-astrology-getting-so-popular/#:~:text=Blog%20Panther-,Technology%20%26%20the%20%242.2%20Billion%20Astrology%20Market%3A%20Why%20is,Online%20Astrology%20Getting%20so%20Popular%3F&text=A%20study%20revealed%20that%20the,in%20the%20United%20States%20alone! 6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886921007686 7. https://www.academia.edu/33516637/The_Negative_Effects_of_Excessive_Belief_in_Astrology 8. https://ijmaberjournal.org/index.php/ijmaber/article/view/111 9. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210205-why-astrology-is-so-popular-now 10. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/psaprocbienmeetp.1978.1.192639 11. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pr0.1997.81.3.1035 12. https://time.com/5867647/nasa-zodiac-star/

This is the episode to make you want to snack. Or maybe want to hurl if you had talk of chewing. We investigated the reason crunchy food is so appealing to us. Why do we NEED the crunch? Turns out, there are some interesting answers! Tell us about your favorite crunchy food. Abraham recommended the Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Bar (https://www.sweetontraderjoes.com/2021/07/trader-joes-dark-chocolate-lovers-chocolate-bar-review.html). What sweet treats would you recommend? Shane Recommend the gothic-y, macabre-y online retailer Black Craft Cult (blackcraftcult.com). What quirky underground clothes should he check out next? References and Link 1. https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/why-do-we-like-crunchy-food.html 2. https://www.food24.com/the-science-behind-why-we-love-crispy-food-4-reasons-we-love-the-crunch/ 3. https://www.myrecipes.com/extracrispy/why-humans-love-crispy-food-so-much 4. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/531186/science-behind-why-we-crave-loud-and-crunchy-foods 5. https://www.mashed.com/651353/why-we-love-crunchy-foods-according-to-science/ 6. https://audiology-web.s3.amazonaws.com/migrated/NoiseChart_Poster-%208.5x11.pdf_5399b289427535.32730330.pdf 7. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-diction/articles/how-did-the-cosmic-crisp-apple-get-its-name

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! Recommendations Abraham: Upload Season 2 (https://www.amazon.com/Upload-Season-2/dp/B09J1LD25Y) Shane: Drug Church - Hygiene (https://drugchurch.bandcamp.com/album/hygiene) Links and Resources References/Links Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. Littleton, CO: Author. Biglan, A. (1991). Distressed behavior and its context. The Behavior Analyst, 14(2), 157-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392566 Kanter, J. W., Cautilli, J. D., Busch, A. M., & Baruch, D. E. (2005). Toward a comprehensive functional analysis of depressive behavior: Five environmental factors and a possible sixth and seventh. The Behavior Analyst Today, 6(1), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100055 Reisinger, J. J. (1972). The treatment of “anxiety-depression” via positive reinforcement and response cost. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5(2), 125-130. Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Free Press. Truschel, J. (2020, September 25). Depression definition and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. https://www.psycom.net/depression-definition-dsm-5-diagnostic-criteria/ World Health Organization. (2021, September 13). Depression. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

Depression 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. Recommendations Abraham: The Litter Genie (https://www.littergenie.com/) Shane: Unreal Deli (https://unrealdeli.com/) References/Links Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. Littleton, CO: Author. Biglan, A. (1991). Distressed behavior and its context. The Behavior Analyst, 14(2), 157-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392566 Kanter, J. W., Cautilli, J. D., Busch, A. M., & Baruch, D. E. (2005). Toward a comprehensive functional analysis of depressive behavior: Five environmental factors and a possible sixth and seventh. The Behavior Analyst Today, 6(1), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100055 Reisinger, J. J. (1972). The treatment of “anxiety-depression” via positive reinforcement and response cost. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5(2), 125-130. Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Free Press. Truschel, J. (2020, September 25). Depression definition and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. https://www.psycom.net/depression-definition-dsm-5-diagnostic-criteria/ World Health Organization. (2021, September 13). Depression. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

Is 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? Recommendations: Abraham: Space Force Season 2 (https://www.netflix.com/title/81021929) Shane: Integrity - Howling, For the Nightmare Shall Consume (https://integrity.bandcamp.com/)

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. Recommendations: - Abraham: Spreaker.com - Shane: The Book of Boba Fett (https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/the-book-of-boba-fett)(https://www.netflix.com/title/81305952)

Doulas and midwives aren't necessarily the crunchy granola hippies you might think they are. They also don't need to be female. We invited expert and certified doula Dr. Ashley Greenwald to talk to us about what doulas are and why every person preparing to a birth should have a doula around. Recommendations: Salena: "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander (https://newjimcrow.com/) and "Even the Rat Was White." Abraham: "The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window" (https://www.netflix.com/title/81305952)

William 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.

We are joined by special guests Dr. Andre Bulla and Oscar Turcios who share their continued adventure training wolves on a reserve. We invited them on after a conference presentation in which they described their experiences testing for concept learning in wolves, learning about wolves, and traveling during pandemic. It all started with a bottle of bourbon. Listen in to hear their story about training wolves.

Factitious disorder by proxy (FDbP) is a mental illness where 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. Recommendations Abraham: Ozark Season 4 Part 1 (https://www.netflix.com/title/80117552) Shane: Pinegrove - 11:11 (https://store.pinegroveband.com/products/713782-11-11-album) Sources and additional content 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malingering 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatization_disorder 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder_imposed_on_self 4. https://www.biusante.parisdescartes.fr/ishm/vesalius/VESx2002x08x01.pdf 5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673651923136 6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1028417/ 7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folie_%C3%A0_deux 8. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1078.8665&rep=rep1&type=pdf 9. http://web.tiscali.it/humanrights/articles/meadow77.html 10. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9834-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-another-fdia 11. Schreier, HA (2004). "Munchausen by Proxy". Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 34 (3): 126–143. doi:10.1016/j.cppeds.2003.09.003. PMID 15039661. 12. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356034 13. R v LM [2004] QCA 192 at para. 67 (4 June 2004) 14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Reimer 15. Associated Press (April 8, 2016). "Mommy blogger gets 20 years to life for salt-poisoning son". NY Post. 16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24563814 17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fPZ2trpbMs 18. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20356028#:~:text=Factitious%20disorder%20imposed%20on%20another,the%20intention%20of%20deceiving%20others. 19. https://youtu.be/eNDDyC25QgA 20. https://denvergazette.com/news/courts/kelly-turner-pleads-guilty-in-connection-with-death-of-7-year-old-daughter/article_8967b4c2-6ce7-11ec-ae8b-fb2d364f66d4.html

Turns out the method of persuasion we have all grown to love being on the receiving end of, condescending lectures and rhetorical questions, might not be the most effective way of connecting with someone and helping them change their mind. Motivational interviewing is not only a non-combative counseling style, it is also a strategy for being a good listener. You have probably heard something about it, so listen in to get the bigger picture. Recommendations - Abraham: Soda Stream (https://sodastream.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoY-PBhCNARIsABcz773g7lXUjExBBaztaFBw3aH_rMaTGxz2ydVupd10yAnsN93DKKJoPYkaAlHZEALw_wcB) - Shane: Vegan birria tacos Sources and additional content - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686983/ - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3808251/ - Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People to Change Addictive Behavior by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick (book) - https://www.amazon.com/talking-start-communicating-Motivational-Interviewing/dp/B089M1FBLF

Search and rescue is an amazing, generous, and honorable activity... that is also dangerous and requires training. If you want to join search and rescue efforts, you can go through training or donate to the cause (https://greatnonprofits.org/categories/view/search-and-rescue-squads_). People might join this effort as a natural segue from their current line of work, to gain notoriety, to feel helpful, or because they're bored. There are also several types of search and rescue. Learn about it by listening to our episode. Recommendations Abraham recommended Everdell the board game (https://www.starling.games/everdell) Shane recommended the album "Welcome to the Nightmare" by Section H8 (https://flatspotrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fsr56-welcome-to-the-nightmare) Join us on Patreon! patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links: 1. https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/brief-history-search-rescue/ 2. https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/the-evolution-of-the-uscgs-search-and-rescue-mission 3. https://www.bts.gov/content/us-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-statistics-fiscal-year 4. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/18/these-charts-show-most-common-reasons-people-need-rescues-national-parks/rmxtZQhUBrPDx76XIaexrI/story.html 5. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/18/these-charts-show-most-common-reasons-people-need-rescues-national-parks/rmxtZQhUBrPDx76XIaexrI/story.html 6. https://www.insarag.org/ 7. https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/search-and-rescue.htm 8. https://kyem.ky.gov/Who%20We%20Are/Documents/SAR%20Field%20Search%20Methods.pdf 9. https://learn.org/articles/First_Responder_5_Steps_to_Becoming_a_First_Responder.html 10. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-get-search-and-rescue-job 11. https://skyaboveus.com/wilderness-survival/How-to-Join-a-Search-and-Rescue-Team 12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26993653_A_Brief_Summary_of_Search_and_Rescue_Literature_A_Report_to_COT_Netherlands 13. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/089124101030002001 14. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02744/full 15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449496/ 16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5996094/ 17. https://www.history.com/news/most-dramatic-rescues-in-history-baby-jessica-chilean-miners-andrea-doria 18. https://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/14/opinion/what-motivates-someone-to-join-search-and-rescue/