334. 5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misus...

New York City’s mayor called them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. In an updated episode from 2025, we ask: Is the rat a scapegoat? And what does our rat hatred say about us? SOURCE ...  Show more

One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle. SOURCES: Charles Piller, investigative journalist for Science, auth ...  Show more

Is there a part of ourselves that we don't acknowledge, that we don't even have access to and that might make us ashamed if we encountered it? We begin with a woman whose left hand takes instructions from a different part of her brain. It hits her, and knocks cigarettes out of he ...  Show more

In this intriguing episode, we dive into the world of human behavior to explore the absurd actions that people and ourselves engage in. Join us as we dissect 15 behaviors that leave us scratching our heads. Prepare for a rollercoaster of laughter, disbelief, and a touch of critic ...  Show more

While seeking growth and improvement are healthy things for humans, to do so in a rigid and inflexible manner can be harmful for one’s well being. We can set expectations for ourselves that are unrealistic and counterproductive. These expectations often take the form of “shoul ...

It happens so often that you ignore how you react or respond to your surroundings. Sometimes, you act out thinking it's just a response from an 'audience' perspective. You think, "This isn't even about me!" Without realizing it, it is defining you too.