The Science of Everything Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 33: Disturbing Social Psychology Experiments Jun 22, 2012

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A discussion of three of the most chilling experiments in the field of social psychology: the Ash Conformity Experiment, the Stanford Prison Experiment, and the Milgram Obedience Experiment. In each case I discuss the motivation and setup of the experiment, outline the results, discuss replications and variations of the original experiment, and end with a look at the implications of the experiment for understanding the darker side of human nature.

Episode 32: Light and Optics Apr 15, 2012

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A discussion of the nature of light and its interactions with matter, including a journey through the history of our understanding of light from Newton’s corpuscular theory through early wave theory and up to the modern wave-particle duality understanding. Following this is an analysis of the various ways light interacts with matter, including absorption, reflection, transmission, refraction, dispersion, and transparency.

Episode 31: Solutions and Mixtures Apr 01, 2012

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An analysis of liquids and their behaviour when mixed with other substances, incorporating a look at solutions, mixtures, colloids and suspensions. Special emphasis is placed on solutions, with a more detailed discussion of solubility, saturation, molarity and bubble formation.

Episode 30: Systems of Government Feb 24, 2012

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An overview of the various forms of government that have existed throughout history and across the world, including a discussion of anarchy, democracy, monarchy, autocracy, and various forms of oligarchy, giving some key characteristics and important examples of each. Also includes an introduction to the principles of classification and political comparison.

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Episode 29: Operant Conditioning Jan 25, 2012

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Continuing on from episode 28 on Classical Conditioning, in this episode I discuss another form of learning called Operant Conditioning, including the concepts of reinforcers, punishers, shaping, and schedules of reinforcement. I then apply Operant Conditioning theory to understand phenomena such as animal training and how punishments can be effectively used. The episode concludes with a brief look at a third form of learning, Observational Learning.

Episode 28: Classical Conditioning Jan 07, 2012

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A discussion of classical conditioning, including an analysis of its key components of the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and responses, the acquisition process, extinction, recovery, generalization, and discrimination. I also discuss some applications of classical conditioning to understand a wide variety of behaviors, including taste aversion, drug tolerance, sexual fetishes, and emotional responses.

Episode 27: Intermolecular Bonds and Phase Transitions Dec 28, 2011

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An explanation of the forces and mechanisms of intermolecular bonding, including dispersion forces, dipole-dipole bonding and hydrogen bonds, with an application of these mechanisms in analysing surface tension. This is followed by a discussion of how phase transitions occur, focusing on evaporation, condensation, boiling and melting. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 15: Chemical Bonding.

Episode 26: Human Organ Systems Dec 21, 2011

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A brief overview of all the human organ systems, including their major components and functions. Also includes an examination of how the organ systems work together to promote the proper functioning of the organism. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 25: Organs, Tissues and Systems.

Episode 25: Organs, Tissues and Systems Dec 11, 2011

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An overview of the various levels of biological organisation, from the atomic and molecular level through cells, tissues, organs, and up to populations and ecosystems. Also includes a more detailed examination of the structure and function of the four main types of human tissue, including epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tissues.

Episode 24: Vibrations and Waves Nov 29, 2011

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An overview of the basic principles of wave phenomena, including a definition of waves, a discussion of wave mediums, wavelength, frequency and amplitude. I also discuss a variety of interesting wave behaviours including interference, polarization, resonance, reflection, absorption, refraction, diffraction and standing waves. This episode will form the foundation for later discussion of sound and light.

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