Best psychologicalscience Podcasts (2025)

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Time Warped: How Repetition Distorts Our Sense of Duration 15:33

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6d ago15:33

15:33

Why do familiar experiences sometimes feel like they happened longer ago than they actually did? In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum speaks with Brynn Sherman from the University of Pennsylvania about her recent study published in Psychological Science, the flagship journal of the Association for Psychological Scien…

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Two Maps in the Mind: How the Brain Stores What We Know About Others 29:14

20d ago29:14

29:14

How does your brain keep track of the people in your life—not just who they are, but where they are in relation to you and to each other? In this episode of Under the Cortex, Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum talks with Robert Chavez from the University of Oregon about his new findings published in Psychological Science, the flagship journal of the Associ…

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Bridging Research and Editorial Vision: A Conversation with Arturo Hernandez 27:54

1M ago27:54

27:54

How do the roles of researcher and editor inform each other? What can this intersection tell us about the future of psychological science? In this episode of Under the Cortex, Arturo Hernandez, Professor of Psychology at the University of Houston and editor for Perspectives on Psychological Science, joins host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum to reflect …

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Real-Time Research: How the Experience Sampling Method Is Changing Psychology 25:22

2M ago25:22

25:22

How do you design a study that captures human experience as it unfolds in real time? In this episode, Under the Cortex explores the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), a powerful approach for studying psychological processes. Host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum is joined by Jessica Fritz from Osnabruck University, and Marilyn Piccirillo from the Rutgers …

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Why Do Emotions Hijack Our Decisions? The Neuroscience of Impulsivity 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

Why do some people struggle to control their actions when emotions run high? What happens in the brain when impulsive decisions take over? Why do some brains lose control under high arousal, while others stay composed? In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer-Baum speaks with Matthew V. Elliott from the University of Californ…

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Beyond Words: Why TalkBank is Crucial for Spoken Language Research 27:38

3M ago27:38

27:38

Most linguistic datasets focus on written text, but what about the way we actually speak? TalkBank, the world’s largest open-access repository of spoken language, is helping researchers understand everything from child development to dementia, bilingualism, and even classroom learning. In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Ozge Gurcanli Fischer…

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Ensuring Research Validity: A Checklist for Stronger Science 15:57

3M ago15:57

15:57

Scientific credibility depends on valid research. But with growing concerns about replication failures and questionable research practices, how can scientists ensure their findings stand up to scrutiny? In this episode, Under the Cortex explores the VALID checklist, a newly developed tool that helps researchers systematically assess the quality of …

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Young Minds, Smart Strategies: How Children Decide When to Use External Memory Aids 23:31

3M ago23:31

23:31

Do young children prefer to rely on their memory, or do they take the easier route and use external aids like lists and reminders? How do they decide when to put in the mental effort and when to lean on available tools? In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Zsuzsa Kaldy from the University of Massachuset…

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Understanding Addiction: A General Liability or Unique Disorders? 23:56

4M ago23:56

23:56

Is there a single explanation that accounts for all addictive behaviors, or is the reality more complex? How can quantitative classification methods help uncover the nuances of substance dependence? In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Ashley Watts from Vanderbilt University about her recent research article in Clinical Psy…

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Addressing Selection Bias in Disparities Research 23:25

4M ago23:25

23:25

Psychological research often focuses on disparities, but how do the populations studied impact the reliability of findings? In this episode of Under the Cortex, Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum hosts Wen Wei Loh and Dongning Ren who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. Th…

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Beyond Focus: How Attention Shapes Learning Differently for Children and Adults 24:01

5M ago24:01

24:01

Children often surprise us with the details they remember—sometimes even better than adults! But what if their ability to learn comes not from focus, but from a broader, less selective attention? This episode unpacks research showing that while adults learn best when paying attention, children (ages 7-9) absorb information just as well, even when i…

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Dosage Dilemma: Unpacking Meditation App Science 18:10

5M ago18:10

18:10

Although meditation apps are gaining popularity, a clear link between usage dosage and intervention outcomes has yet to be established. In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum teams up with Simon Goldberg from the University of Wisconsin to explore a critical question: “How does the “dosage” of meditation app use impact…

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The Hidden Cost of Caregiving: Stress, Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms 23:37

6M ago23:37

23:37

As populations age, the need for informal caregivers is increasing. As individuals step up to provide care for loved ones in need, they face their own mental health challenges. In this episode, Under the Cortex features Michael Kramer from the University of Zurich who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Psychological Scienc…

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2024 in Review: 10 Most Popular Articles from APS Journals 26:10

6M ago26:10

26:10

How do the five love languages hold up to empirical research? How do psychological researchers feel about self-censorship? How does gender equality vary by country globally? Tune in to hear highlights from this year’s most popular research. In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum and Hannah Brown take turns describing the most downloaded …

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Building Bridges: Exploring Cooperation in Children 24:37

7M ago24:37

24:37

When children play, how do they develop the essential skill of cooperation? What methods do they use to solve complex problems while working in teams? How do they approach a threshold dilemma when their personal interests are at odds with the team’s objectives? In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Patrici…

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Heart Rates and Step Counts: A Novel Approach to Eating Disorder Care 24:01

7M ago24:01

24:01

What potential do everyday devices, like smartwatches, have in transforming the management and treatment of eating disorders? In this episode, Under the Cortex explores how commonly used technology, such as heart rate monitors and step counters, can be used to understand binge-eating episodes. APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum interviews Qinxin Shi …

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Midlife-Onset Alcohol Dependence: Causes and Consequences 25:21

8M ago25:21

25:21

What drives the onset of alcohol dependence in midlife? How does it present unique challenges, and what strategies can help when it disrupts the lives of individuals and their families? In this episode of Under the Cortex, host Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Lara Khalifeh and Leah Richmond-Rakerd from the University of Michigan, authors of …

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Too Many Connections? How Aging Impacts Memory and Recall 22:02

8M ago22:02

22:02

How does the brain’s memory function change as we grow older? What recent discoveries are helping us understand these changes better? In this episode of Under the Cortex, Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum welcomes Karen Campbell of Brock University to discuss how aging impacts memory. Campbell shares insights from her recent study in APS’s journal Current…

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Green Actions, Brighter Lives: Enhancing Well-Being Through Environmental Action 22:45

9M ago22:45

22:45

Can environmentally friendly actions boost personal well-being? Tune in to discover how a sustainable lifestyle offers profound benefits. In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Michael Prinzing from Baylor University. Prinzing shares findings from a recent research article published in Psychological Science, which highlights …

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A New Approach to Understanding Psychopathology: Insights from the HiTOP Model 22:16

9M ago22:16

22:16

Are traditional mental health diagnoses missing the bigger picture? How can a new model help us better understand and treat mental disorders? What does recent research say about how we categorize psychopathology in youth? In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum interviews Miri Forbes of Macquarie University. Together, they address how tra…

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Navigating Divisive Conversations: Why We Underestimate the Benefits 16:19

10M ago16:19

16:19

Why do we shy away from discussing divisive topics like politics and religion? Are our fears of negative reactions justified or off-base? In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Kristina Wald from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Wald shares findings from a recent research article published in Psychologica…

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Friendship and Diversity: A Path to Stronger Communities? 19:15

10M ago19:15

19:15

Why do we gravitate towards friends who share our background and identity? How does this affect our sense of community and well-being? In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Miguel Ramos from the University of Birmingham to discuss his recent study on social cohesion and well-being, published in Psychological Science. They di…

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What Type of Templates Do We Use for Visual Processing? Caricatures Might Be the Answer 18:09

10M ago18:09

18:09

In this episode, Zekun Sun and Chaz Firestone from Johns Hopkins University join Under the Cortex to discuss their new paper in Psychological Science titled “Caricaturing Shapes in Visual Memory.” The conversation with APS’s Özge G. Fischer Baum reviews how our visual system uses templates and exaggerates the basic features of objects in memory. Th…

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The Integrity of Psychological Research: Uncovering Statistical Reporting Inconsistencies 18:38

11M ago18:38

18:38

Accurate reporting in psychological science is vital for ensuring reliable results. Are there statistical inconsistencies in scientific articles? In this episode, APS's Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum speaks with Michele Nuijten from Tilburg University to examine how overlooked errors in statistical reporting can undermine the credibility of research fi…

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The Benefits of Everyday Math for Kids 28:14

11M ago28:14

28:14

APS’s Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum chats with Melissa Libertus from University of Pittsburgh about her new article about interventions to increase math learning in children. They discuss various strategies parents can use to reinforce the development of math skills in everyday life like at the grocery store or using board games. If you're interested …

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Racial Disparities in Drug Intervention: Culturally Inclusive Approaches 21:41

12M ago21:41

21:41

In this episode, APS’s Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum discusses culturally sensitive and inclusive treatments with experts William Stoops from the University of Kentucky Medical Center, along with his colleagues Jardin Dogan-Dixon and Danelle Stevens-Watkins from the University of Kentucky, Paris Wheeler from the University of Cincinnati, and Krystal C…

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When Versus Whether: Gender Differences in Leadership 20:51

1y ago20:51

20:51

In contemporary society, there is a significant rise in the number of women assuming leadership positions compared to past generations. Nevertheless, this raises the question: Do these growing numbers equate to equal access to opportunities? What are the common gender disparities seen in professional environments? APS’s Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum c…

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Tools to Bolster Executive Function Skills in Kids 29:18

1y ago29:18

29:18

In this episode, Philip Zelazo and Ellen Galinsky join Under the Cortex to discuss their new paper in Current Directions in Psychological Science titled “Fostering Executive-Function Skills and Promoting Far Transfer to Real-World Outcomes: The Importance of Life Skills and Civic Science.” The conversation with APS’s Özge G. Fischer Baum reviews th…

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Navigating Regret in Decision-Making 20:19

1y ago20:19

20:19

In this episode, Under the Cortex features William Ryan from UC Berkeley and Stephen Baum from Washington University in St. Louis who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Psychological Science. APS’s Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum chats with Ryan and Baum about their new article on how regret impacts risk taking and financial de…

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Is Everyone Out to Get Me? Paranoia in Social Interactions 23:54

1y ago23:54

23:54

In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Michal Hajdúk from Comenius University Bratislava, Sohee Park from Vanderbilt University, and Amy Pinkham from The University of Texas, Dallas about their new paper in Clinical Psychological Science titled “Paranoia: From Passive Social-Threat Perception to Misattunement in Social Interaction.” The conversati…

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Allergies or Sickness? Unraveling the Mystery of Concealing Infectious Diseases 20:22

1y ago20:22

20:22

What do you think when people stay quiet about infectious situations? Is it just a small white lie? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Wilson Merrell to discuss his new paper in Psychological Science titled “When and Why People Conceal Infectious Disease.” The conversation with APS’s Özge G. Fischer Baum reviews what disease concealment looks …

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Desire Dynamics: Navigating Intimacy and Attraction in Relationships 26:13

1y ago26:13

26:13

Many studies show that sexual attraction in long-term relationships decreases over time. Is this decline inevitable? Are we doomed to be not as into our partners as we were in the honeymoon period? Can we get too close to our partners? APS’s Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum interviews relationship expert Amy Muise from York University to answer these que…

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Shaping Kinder Kids Through Parental Example 23:28

1y ago23:28

23:28

Children absorb much from their environments. Although the impact of parental conflicts and fights on children has been greatly studied, the impact of positivity has yet to fully be explored. In this episode, Under the Cortex features Brian Don from the University of Auckland who recently published an article on this topic in APS’s journal Perspect…

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Parental Engagement Enhances Children’s Therapy Experience and Outcomes 22:12

1+ y ago22:12

22:12

Anxiety is common in children. What methods effectively alleviate their anxiety? How do parents influence the treatment process? Can parents positively affect the treatment outcomes? In this episode, Under the Cortex features Wendy K. Silverman from Yale University School of Medicine and Jeremy W. Pettit from Florida International University who ha…

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Twisted Tales: Unraveling the Surprising Benefits of Irony 18:06

1+ y ago18:06

18:06

Using irony is a common practice in everyday speech. What’s the main purpose of doing so? What skills are necessary to best understand irony? In this episode, Under the Cortex features Penny Pexman from Western University. The conversation with Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum raises questions about the cognitive, social and emotional benefits of verbal …

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What Comes Next? The Joy of Anticipating Melodies 22:20

1+ y ago22:20

22:20

Are you passionate about music? As we explore new songs, part of the excitement comes from successfully predicting their outcomes, as suggested by scientific research. In this episode of Under the Cortex, APS’s Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum hosts music researchers who delve into the rewarding experience of accurately predicting tunes. Nicholas Kathios…

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Couples Who Laugh Together, Stay Together 13:40

1+ y ago13:40

13:40

Have you ever found yourself wondering if someone you're interested in feels the same way about you? If they laugh at your jokes, recent research suggests that it might be a sign that they're into you. In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Norman Li and Kenneth Tan from Singapore Management University about their new paper in Psychological Scienc…

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Community Engagement in Psychological Research 26:20

1+ y ago26:20

26:20

What are the important considerations that researchers should take when they work with underrepresented communities? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa and Luz Garcini in follow up to their thought-provoking appearance in APS’s Science for Society Webinar, “Helping Underrepresented Populations Through Community-Orie…

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Information Avoidance in the Modern Age 22:53

1+ y ago22:53

22:53

In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Jeremy Foust from Kent State University about his new paper in Perspectives on Psychological Science titled “Information Avoidance: Past Perspectives and Future Directions.” The conversation with APS’s Özge G. Fischer-Baum starts with defining information avoidance and then explores some of the factors that i…

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Linking Developmental Delays and Parenting Strategies With Inclusivity in Mind 18:51

1+ y ago18:51

18:51

How do parents adjust their behavior in the context of neurodiversity? Under the Cortex features Alexandra Sullivan (University of California, San Francisco), a psychological scientist who studies the link between parenting and developmental delays. In this episode, Sullivan and APS’s Özge G. Fischer-Baum discuss parenting strategies with an inclus…

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Is Our Early Attachment Our Destiny? Finding the Link Between Attachment Patterns and Personality Disorders 20:52

1+ y ago20:52

20:52

Attachment is a recent popular topic that has entered the public eye, but psychological researchers have been investigating attachment patterns for decades. What is the relationship between early attachment personality disorders? Is there an overlap? APS’s journal Clinical Psychological Science features an article with a new perspective into how at…

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Guilty as Charged: How We Contribute to Polarizing Content on Social Media 25:46

1+ y ago25:46

25:46

What goes viral social media and why? Do people value information-based content less favorably than misinformation? Why do we click more on polarizing content than neutral information? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Dr. Steven Rathje from New York University. Rathje’s research explores what people think about social media content and what …

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Getting Your Research Published: Insights on Academic Publishing with Simine Vazire 27:09

1+ y ago27:09

27:09

Under the Cortex biweekly hosts authors of peer-reviewed articles. In this week’s episode, we do things a little differently, take a step back, and explore what happens on the editorial side of scientific publishing. Simine Vazire, the incoming Editor-in-Chief of APS’s journal Psychological Science, joined Özge Gürcanlı Fischer Baum to discuss her …

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Do Risky Drinkers Think Differently? Insights From Cognitive Experiments 15:40

1+ y ago15:40

15:40

What is risky drinking? What’s the cognitive profile of risky drinkers? If we know more about how risky drinkers think, is it easier to develop models for preventive measures? APS’s Özge G. Fischer Baum approaches these questions with a cognitive lens in an interview with Elizabeth Goldfarb from Yale University. Fischer Baum and Goldfarb discuss ho…

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Do Lockdown Drills Create Anxiety? New Research Says No 21:29

1+ y ago21:29

21:29

How does gun violence affect the youth? What are the developmental outcomes of being exposed to gun violence? Do lockdown drills provide a solution, or do they further create anxiety for children? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Dr. Amanda Nickerson, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. She highlights the developmental p…

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Cautionary Notes: The Science of Trigger Warnings 23:39

1+ y ago23:39

23:39

What is the logic behind using trigger warnings? Do they improve learning outcomes? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Victoria Bridgland of Flinders University to explore her meta-analysis results on trigger warnings. Bridgland’s meta-analysis indicates that, contrary to popular belief, trigger warnings do not have a negative or positive effe…

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Feeling Young at Heart Comes With Well-Being Benefits 11:19

2y ago11:19

11:19

Is it true that you are only as old as you feel? Is age really just a number? Is 40 the new 30? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Markus Wettstein of Humboldt University of Berlin. Wettstein’s research explores the perception of subjective age in adulthood and gender, as well as generational differences in feeling young. The conversation with…

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The Tale of Two Cities: Water Access Influences Human Decision Making 27:43

2y ago27:43

27:43

Does our geographical location shape our thinking? Does water access have an effect on our decision-making habits? Do we choose to live in the moment because of environmental factors? In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Dr. Hamid Harati, The University of Queensland, and Thomas Talhelm,University of Chicago. Through their international collabor…

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Loneliness Across the Globe: A Life-Span Approach 16:26

2y ago16:26

16:26

Did you know that loneliness is different from social isolation? Psychologists define loneliness as a subjective concept which is related to one’s own expectations. In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Samia Akther Khan, PhD candidate from King’s College London, whose research examines the feeling of loneliness across lifespan. The conversation …

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Wendy Wood: It’s Time We Trained Students for Diverse Careers in Psychological Science 9:04

2y ago9:04

9:04

Psychology PhDs have skills broadly relevant for teaching, industry, and government. They are integral to producing basic research and evidence-based solutions for policy and industry. Only about half of psychology PhDs are hired in academia, but psychology graduate training in the United States has largely retained the classic graduate training mo…

Psychologicalscience Podcasts