Cognitive Dissonance – one of the most established and respected theories in psychology – is under attack. An economist – M. Keith Chen – uses what is called the “Monty Hall problem” to show that the research on cognitive dissonance may be seriously flawed.
Episode 58: Speed Dating – You Don’t Know What You Want
Do you really know what you want in a romantic partner? The answer is….no. How often have you heard that men want women with great bodies and women want a good provider? Learn more about what women (and men) really want in this fascinating study conducted in a speed dating event.
Episode 51: Elliot Spitzer’s Wife: Hero or Victim?
People have been talking about Elliot Spitzer and his wife Silda. Why did she stand by and support him when it appears he clearly betrayed her trust? Would you believe that the “Covariation Principle” can be applied to this situation?
Episode 50: Psychological Study Ripped Straight from….the Bible?
How many scientific studies find their inspiration from a parable in the bible? I’ll go over a very interesting study based on the Good Samaritan parable. Are people more likely to help someone if they are thinking “pious” thoughts at the time?
Episode 46: Thinking Positively – or Running Away from Your Feelings?
What’s wrong with thinking positively? Could be a lot. I’ll share some ideas for bringing about more positive events in your life and discuss how important “negative” – that is sad – feelings are in our lives. Those are moments not to run from, but to embrace.
Episode 45: Basic Research Design – Part 1
Independent variables, dependent variables, t-tests, anovas, experiments, between subjects, within subjects, confounds…confused? You won’t be after you watch this week’s video episode. Learn research methods in psychology the fun way.
Episode 37: The Effects of Video Game Violence
What do psychologists think about the effects of violent video games and violence? Does it lead people to be more aggressive? More violent? In this episode we take a close look at the classic “Bobo” doll study conducted by Albert Bandura.
Episode 36: Kitty Genovese: What Really Happened?
Kitty Genovese: what you think you know about what happened to her is wrong. While the story lead to a long and successful line of research in bystander intervention, what people think they know about Kitty Genovese is largely incorrect.
Episode 20: The Robber’s Cave Study – Exactly What Happened?
What do street gangs and little boys at a summer camp in Robber’s Cave State Park in 1954 have in common? Find out this week as we take a look at a study which taught us a great deal about intergroup conflict and resolution.
Episode 16: Personal Space Invasion: What Happens When Someone Invades Your Personal Space?
How does the presence of others in the bathroom affect you? How close is too close? A psychological study was done in 1976 in which psychology researchers hid in men’s bathrooms to observe…well, you’ll find out.
