Tag: experiment

  • Cheaters, Liars, and Ignoble Prize Winners

    In a new paper, a team of researchers in Spain have identified three different profiles of dishonesty and cheating, and within each profile, two distinct types. Jeff and Anthony discuss the science of lying and cheating, apropos of nothing in particular that might be happening in the news every single damn day. Then, the Ig Nobel Prize has been given out for 30 years, celebrating under-appreciated pioneers in many fields. Have Anthony and Jeff finally found the perfect award? [more]

  • Psych Warn

    The Stanford Prison Experiment, one of the most famous and compelling psychological studies of all time, told us a tantalizingly simple story about human nature. This experiment has been included in many, many introductory psychology textbooks and is often cited uncritically. But its findings were wrong. Very wrong. And not just due to its questionable ethics or lack of concrete data — but because of deceit. Jeff and Anthony try the experiment out for themselves and flip a coin to see who gets to be the guard. [more]

  • Call Made By Your Name

    What’s in a name? A lot, apparently. New research suggests that your first name shapes the way other people perceive your age, personality, and how good you are at your job – and the findings could mean some classic psychology experiments were wrong. Jeff and Anthony are doing their part to discredit their own names. [more]

  • Loch Screen

    A global team of scientists plans to scour the icy depths of Loch Ness next month using environmental DNA (eDNA) in an experiment that may discover whether Scotland’s fabled monster really does, or did, exist. Whenever a creature moves through its environment, it leaves behind tiny fragments of DNA from skin, scales, feathers, fur, faeces and urine. This story has really left a mark on Jeff and Anthony. [more]

  • Jolt of Personality

    Trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) - the process of directly electrocuting parts of the brain to accelerate learning - causes Anthony and Jeff to debate the possibility of the human soul. If we are just a series of electrical impulses, does it even matter if we can all be Super Men? Also how badass would it be to have rocketfeet? Hey! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen. Here's the link to do it on iTunes: [http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns](http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns) Jeff on Twitter: [http://twitter.com/jeffcannata](http://twitter.com/jeffcannata) Anthony on Twitter: [http://twitter.com/acarboni](http://twitter.com/acarboni) Today's story was submitted by @_DaanishSyed and @saviopalm RadioLab 9-Volt Nirvana: [http://www.radiolab.org/story/9-volt-nirvana/](http://www.radiolab.org/story/9-volt-nirvana/) [more]

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