The Psych Files - Michael Britt

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Ep 179: Lipstick Effect, Stereotype Threat and other Gender Matters Aug 13, 2012

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Do women who work in typically male dominated jobs "play down" their femininity in order to be gain more respect from their male co-workers? In this episode we'll explore this stereotype threat as well as something you may not have heard of: the lipstick effect. How do men and women change their appearance or their behavior during times of economic depression? In this all-gender episode we look at these issues as well as why the new Volkswagen Beetle has changed its appearance. Yes, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has become more masculine, but why?

5 Essential Study Techniques Aug 09, 2012

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An audio in which I explain 5 study techniques that have solid research support. These techniques will help students get better grades on their tests.

Ep 178: What Does Embodied Cognition have to do with Baseballs and Robots? Jul 03, 2012

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There is a lot of talk these days about a fascinating idea called embodied cognition. What is it exactly? In this lively interview I talk with two people who are actively looking into this question. We discuss how the body and mind "talk" to each other when baseball players catch fly balls and what role psychology plays in the design of robots.

Ep 178: What Does Embodied Cognition have to do with Baseballs and Robots? Jul 02, 2012

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EP 177: Why You Hate Psychology - Media Bias and Misunderstandings about How Science Works Jun 24, 2012

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In this follow-up to episode 176 I discuss two more reasons why I believe some people either don't like or just distrust psychology: 1) the belief that it is not a science, and 2) the belief - created by the media - that psychologists make a lot of money for giving out common sense advice. I hope you'll see that psychology is not unlike other sciences in that we study something extremely complex and yes, sometimes our findings are contradictory and they change over time. Also, the media focuses - as usual - on only the most unlikely behavior of psychologists (like having sex with patients) or portraying them as having messed up personal lives. Let's find out the truth (well, at least from one psychologist's perspective).

EP 177: Why You Hate Psychology - Media Bias and Misunderstandings about How Science Works Jun 24, 2012

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EP 176: Why You Hate Psychology – Self Esteem Movement and Positive Thinking Jun 19, 2012

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Why do so many people have strongly negative feelings about the field of psychology? I think there are a handful of reasons and in this episode I talk about two of them: the so-called "self-esteem movement" and the "positive thinking" movement. Are psychologists responsible for why "kids today" appear to be so self-centered? Do psychologists think that changing yourself is as simple as just changing the way you think? Hear one psychologists opinion on this and my explanation on two reasons why I think maybe you hate psychology. Just hear me out.

EP 176: Why You Hate Psychology - Self Esteem Movement and Positive Thinking Jun 19, 2012

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Ep: 175 - How to Protect Yourself from the Persuasive Tactics of the Car Salesperson May 22, 2012

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In the market for a car? Believe me: they have seen you coming and they are ready to use some sophisticated techniques to persuade you to buy. Be prepared. Watch this episode of The Psych Files and learn how the persuasion techniques described by psychologist Robert Cialdini are being used to change your attitudes and behavior to align with the goals of the salesman.

Ep 174: The First Replication of Daryl Bem's Research on Psychic Phenomenon Apr 23, 2012

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Have psychologists recently found evidence for the existence of psychic ability? Last year, well-known psychologist Daryl Bem published an article called Feeling the Future in which he describes a number of studies, all of which provided support for a kind of phi phenomenon he calls "retroactive influence". The research appeared in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The article caused a storm of controversy and calls for changes to how research and the peer review process is conducted. I covered some of those recommendations in video episode 165 Psychological Research Under Fire. In this episode I interview the lead author, Stuart Ritchie, of the first published replication of one part of Bem's work. Listen as Stuart describes what he did and what he found on this very controversial topic.

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