In this episode of The Psych Files, I explore anthropomorphism—our tendency to attribute human characteristics to non-human entities—drawing from Justin Gregg's new book "Humanish." I discuss both helpful and harmful examples of anthropomorphism, from Soviet dolphin-assisted births to Japanese raccoon imports inspired by anime, and explain how this connects to Theory of Mind, our ability to attribute mental states to others. Gregg, an expert on animal cognition, argues that anthropomorphism isn't necessarily bad if used reflectively, citing Jane Goodall's approach of using intuition as a research starting point rather than proof. I examine surprising findings about animal cognition, particularly in reptiles like crocodiles who display play and social relationships, and discuss the important distinction between biological consciousness in animals and non-conscious AI processing. The episode addresses the fundamental question of animal consciousness and Gregg's precautionary approach: when uncertain about whether animals can suffer, we should assume they can rather than risk causing harm. I also talk about the latest research on the use of puzzles and their effect on dementia.
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18:07
The Surprising Psychology Behind Effortless Line Memorization
When I receive a new script, my first step surprises people. I create an audio recording of every scene I’m in – not just my lines, but everyone’s lines. Using apps like LineLearner, I record each cue line followed by my response, all delivered in completely monotone voice with zero inflection or emotion. This approach might make acting coaches cringe, but it connects directly to Sanford Meisner’s teaching philosophy. Meisner had students rehearse lines in monotone specifically to prevent them from “setting” a line reading too early. The goal? When you’re actually performing, you can react naturally to whatever happens in the moment and deliver your lines however feels right. But there’s a deeper psychological reason this works so well.
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10:24
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10:24
Why Are We So Polite to AI?
When we say "please" or "thank you" to ChatGPT, we're witnessing the remarkable power of human social psychology in action. Our brains have developed such deeply ingrained social scripts over millions of years that they automatically activate whenever we encounter conversational situations—even with machines. Through social scripts, attribution theory, and automatic processing, we treat AI interactions just like human conversations, complete with politeness and courtesy. This isn't a flaw or embarrassing quirk; it's actually a testament to how fundamentally social we are as humans. Our ancient social instincts are so robust that they extend even to artificial entities that can't reciprocate our politeness. Rather than making us naive about technology, maintaining these social habits with AI might actually help preserve our humanity and social skills in an increasingly digital world, showing that even as technology advances, our evolved cooperative nature remains beautifully consistent.
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10:54
The Song "Yesterday," Manhood, and the Fear of Vulnerability
In this episode of The Psych Files, I explore the fascinating intersection between music, psychology, and gender roles through subtle lyric changes in Paul McCartney’s timeless song, “Yesterday.” I focus specifically on why iconic male singers like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Marvin Gaye altered the lyric from “I said something wrong” to “I must have said something wrong.” I suggest that this small but meaningful change reflects a deeper cultural discomfort with male vulnerability, connecting it to the psychological concept of “precarious manhood”—the idea that men often feel compelled to protect their masculinity by appearing strong and infallible. Drawing upon psychological research, including Joseph Vandello’s influential studies, I highlight how seemingly minor cultural signals, such as these lyric adjustments, reinforce restrictive gender norms. While admitting mistakes or expressing vulnerability might seem risky for men, psychological evidence shows these behaviors can actually strengthen relationships and emotional well-being. Ultimately, I encourage listeners to challenge traditional ideas about masculinity, embracing authenticity and emotional openness as true indicators of strength.
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Lost in the Click: Exploring the Browser Doorway Effect
The Blank Tab Effect: A Modern Doorway Phenomenon Have you ever switched to a new browser tab, only to find yourself staring at a blank page and wondering why you opened it in the first place? This common experience is strikingly similar to what psychologists call the doorway effect and it’s one of quirks of how our memory works. Understanding the Doorway Effect The doorway effect occurs when people forget their intentions after passing through a doorway. This happens because our brains compartmentalize information based on the environment, treating each room as a separate context. For example, in the kitchen, your mind focuses on relevant items like refrigerators and sinks. Moving to another room, like a bedroom, requires your brain to reset and focus on new surroundings, causing potential memory lapses.
Learn how theories in psychology affect you in everyday life. Upbeat and interesting podcasts from experienced psychology teacher Michael Britt give you a bit more insight into you and your life.
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