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KUT » Two Guys on Your Head

213 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 171 ratings

Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain how our brain works.

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Episodes

The Principle of Contrast

December 07, 2020 16:41 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

When we have two things that are very similar to each other we might wonder, why do we have two when they seem to be the same? Turns out this is important for many reasons. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the principle of […]

Virtual Holidays

November 26, 2020 17:09 - 8 minutes - 11.2 MB

This year’s holidays might look a lot different for many of us due to the pandemic and social distancing, but they don’t have to be all bad. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of virtual holidays.

Perceptual Acuity

November 21, 2020 20:02 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MB

Developing new skills is about a lot more than practice. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the importance of building perceptual acuity.

Perception and Affordance

November 14, 2020 20:48 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

When we see something, like a chair, we are not only seeing the chair but our brains are also making calculations as to what that chair can afford us; give us a place to sit perhaps. It turns out that we are making those types of calculations all the time. In fact, the relationships change […]

Defensive Pessimism

November 08, 2020 22:02 - 8 minutes - 12.3 MB

We might consider pessimism to be a negative attribute, but it turns out that sometimes pessimism can give us the energy we need we need in order to help us to accomplish our goals. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about defensive pessimism.

Rewarding Mediocrity (Rebroadcast)

November 06, 2020 03:46 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

The ups and downs of rewards that praise participation in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, with Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke.

Failure (Rebroadcast)

October 25, 2020 23:10 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

Failure is a word that carries a lot of baggage, arousing emotional responses that we’d usually rather avoid. But what about success? Why does the thought of success conjure images and feelings of comfort and satisfaction? This week,  Two Guys on Your Head‘s  Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke examine how the heights of success and […]

David Alvarez Retires

October 16, 2020 17:26 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

The stalwart engineer for Two Guys on Your Head, David Alvarez is throwing in the towel and turning his attention to the finer things in life. David has worked at KUT since 1982 and has been the engineer for Two Guys since our first recording back in 2013. In this edition of the show Dr. Art Markman, Dr. […]

The Myth of Happiness

October 09, 2020 14:33 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MB

And they lived happily ever after, isn’t just a cliched ending, it’s psychologically destructive. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the myth of happiness.

The Storyline

October 03, 2020 23:30 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

We create stories for many reasons. Stories help us remember things, stories add meaning to our lives, and stories also create hierarchies of value–that much of the time hide more than they reveal about the past. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of the storyline.

Writer’s Block (Rebroadcast)

October 03, 2020 23:22 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MB

Writer’s block! That phrase might induce panic and a recollection of a familiar experience. It’s a very common phenomenon. So what is it? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain the ins and outs of how and why we sometimes get stuck – and what we can do to help […]

Dressing For Zoom

September 23, 2020 17:33 - 8 minutes - 11.7 MB

A lot of us may be working from home right now, which means that we don’t have to wear a suit to an office. But as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke point out in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, we may still want to consider our attire when jumping on a […]

Seasonal Change

September 12, 2020 21:32 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MB

The changing of seasons can bring with it mixed emotions depending on what is going on in our lives. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of seasonal change.

Investment

September 04, 2020 12:41 - 8 minutes - 11.2 MB

It’s true investing is not for the faint of heart, but have you ever wondered why? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of investing.

The What The Hell Effect (Re-Broadcast)

August 28, 2020 01:26 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MB

There is an observation in psychology that looks at how people behave when they have not lived up to the expectations they set for themselves; the “What The Hell Effect.” In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke talk about, not only what it is, but why it is.

Creating A Shared Reality

August 24, 2020 19:20 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MB

When times are tough and uncertain it can be a welcome oasis to read a book or watch a movie; especially with a friend or family member. Being able to imagine that things could be different is one unique thing about being human, and sharing these realities with others has a special significance. On this […]

Social Media and The Brain

August 15, 2020 15:54 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

Our brains really cannot comprehend the hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people who have access to what we post on social media. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how and why posting on social media is the “high-tech version of picking your […]

History, Experience, and Memory

August 07, 2020 21:16 - 8 minutes - 11.9 MB

Even during a global pandemic and civil rights movement, much of our experience is that of the day-to-day. However, when we look back on things how will we remember this moment? On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss the role that history plays in how […]

Hypochondria

August 04, 2020 00:33 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

Hypochondrias is a condition where a person worries excessively and unduly about having a serious illness. It can be debilitating and require treatment from a psychologist. But oftentimes we refer to people who think they might be sick as having hypochondria because it is a way to dismiss their concern or say, “you always just […]

Elephant in The Room

August 04, 2020 00:20 - 8 minutes - 11.6 MB

We have all experienced walking into a room and noticing right away the giant elephant in the conversation that no one wants to talk about. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss why it’s important to address the proverbial elephant in the room, and they […]

Children’s Stories

July 17, 2020 18:52 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

Some stories just work. They are pleasurable to listen to and to tell. But why is that? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain the psychology behind what makes a good children’s story.

Short-Term Focus For Long-Term Change

July 16, 2020 04:46 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

It can be hard to think in terms of the long game when there is so much that needs our attention in the moment. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss strategies for focusing in the short-term to make informed decisions that will affect the future.

Trust and Cooperation

July 16, 2020 04:34 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MB

There is a certain amount of trust build into systems that work well, but when times are uncertain and tensions are running high what we trust can change. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of trust and cooperation.

Leadership and Being Liked (Rebroadcast)

June 25, 2020 13:05 - 7 minutes - 17.8 MB

If you’re in a leadership position you know you have to make some difficult decisions. Some of those decisions might put you in the doghouse for a while, but if you are motivated by the good of the group as opposed to the need to be liked, things tend to work out better. In this […]

Categorization and Perspective

June 25, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 20 MB

We naturally categorize everything, it’s what we do as human beings. However, as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, how we categorize-especially when it comes to how we categorize ourselves-can change our perspective quite dramatically.

Protest and Change

June 12, 2020 20:39 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MB

Demonstrations for Black Lives Matter over the past few weeks have already led to changes in policy and in society, yet as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, keeping up momentum for reform after the protests can be challenging.

Illness and Identity

June 05, 2020 15:27 - 7 minutes - 18 MB

The way our physical bodies feel affects how our minds process and understand what’s going on around us. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about illness and identity.

Social Distancing and Spontainaity

May 29, 2020 15:02 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MB

When it comes to video conferencing and meeting online the dynamics of our social interactions are a lot different than when we are meeting face to face. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke, talk about social distancing and spontaneity.

Place, Identity, and New Social Norms

May 29, 2020 15:00 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

Covid-19 has made us rethink a lot especially when it comes to our social lives, our work lives, and our family lives. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke, talk about identity and adapting to a changing environment.

Grief (Rebroadcast)

May 29, 2020 14:55 - 7 minutes - 17.9 MB

A traumatic event, like the loss of a loved one, disrupts the continuity of the narrative of our lives. It’s a terribly stressful and disturbing experience to carry the burden of a loss that incites the grief reaction. Some losses are so huge in our lives that they just don’t make sense. They seem like […]

Avoidance Avoidance Conflict

May 09, 2020 19:58 - 5 MB

We may think that decision making is a process that we undertake in the same way no matter what the choices are that we have to make, but in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how our brains work differently when both choices have […]

Moral Injury

May 02, 2020 19:52 - 8 minutes - 18.8 MB

On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of moral injury.

The Mandela Effect

April 25, 2020 00:10 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MB

When large groups of people believe something has happened that has not actually happened it is referred to as The Mandela Effect. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how this happens from a psychological perspective.

Social Media & Homeschooling in a Pandemic

April 17, 2020 21:40 - 8 minutes - 19.7 MB

In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke take audience questions about how much is too much when it comes to social media, and how to get anything done when trying to homeschool your children and work your normal job, during a live virtual Views and Brews.

Abstraction and Base Rate Neglect

April 11, 2020 14:20 - 8 minutes - 18.7 MB

One thing that happens during a pandemic is that a lot of numbers, percentages, charts, and graphs get tossed around on a daily, even hourly basis. However, all those numbers and graphics are really difficult for us to process. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke […]

The Role of Identity in Processing Information

April 03, 2020 14:13 - 5 MB

When it comes to how information influences our mood, how we identify ourselves plays a big role. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the role of identity in processing information.

Crisis and Guilt

March 27, 2020 14:41 - 7 minutes - 18.1 MB

During this time of crisis, you might be at home feeling guilty that you aren’t doing more to help people. You might not know what to do. You might feel you ought to be doing more. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke answer a listener […]

The Psychology of Hysteria

March 20, 2020 17:12 - 8 minutes - 3.99 MB

In uncertain times it can be helpful, and feel good, to do something–anything. But why? On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how to navigate the psychology of hysteria.

Why It’s So Hard Not To Touch Your Face

March 15, 2020 00:39 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MB

The CDC is recommending that to avoid spreading the Coronavirus we wash our hands often and don’t touch our face. However, when it comes to habits like touching our faces, just stopping cold turkey is harder than we might think. On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk […]

The Psychology of Creation (Rebroadcast)

March 06, 2020 18:17 - 7 minutes - 9.02 MB

Tearing down something is quick, easy and often gratifying. What’s more time-consuming and difficult is creating, building and constructing. As Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, however, the reasons why we are more likely to criticize than create aren’t just about effort.

Why We Want To Predict The Future (Kind Of)

February 27, 2020 22:29 - 7 minutes - 9.01 MB

Predictions about the future can make us feel good, but only to a certain extent. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke discuss the psychology behind why and what we want to know when it comes to what’s coming up.

Futurism

February 21, 2020 21:36 - 8 minutes - 9.46 MB

It turns out our relationship to the present has more to do with how we imagine the future than we might think. In this episode, Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of futurism.

Intrusive Thoughts

February 16, 2020 15:46 - 8 minutes - 9.36 MB

Random unbidden thoughts can be unsettling, especially when they are persistent, perhaps frightening, and seemingly out of the blue. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke, demystify the phenomenon of intrusive thoughts.

Imposter Syndrome (Rebroadcast)

February 16, 2020 15:37 - 8 minutes - 9.84 MB

In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke, talk about The Imposter Syndrome. What is the real problem when you feel inadequate? How can you help yourself overcome it when you recognize it?

Imposter Syndrome (Rebroadcast)

February 16, 2020 15:37 - 8 minutes - 9.84 MB

In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke, talk about The Imposter Syndrome. What is the real problem when you feel inadequate? How can you help yourself overcome it when you recognize it?

Explanation Accessibility

January 31, 2020 21:28 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MB

Many factors play into how we make sense of the world and our place in it. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how the accessibility of certain explanations frames our understanding.

Motivation and Self-Presentation

January 24, 2020 21:36 - 8 minutes - 9.69 MB

It turns out that our motivational system has a lot to do with how we present ourselves. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head,  Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology behind motivation and self-presentation and what that means when it comes to gender.

How To Crush Writer’s Block (Rebroadcast)

January 16, 2020 21:29 - 8 minutes - 9.81 MB

Writer’s block! That phrase might induce panic and a recollection of a familiar experience. It’s a very common phenomenon. So what is it? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain the ins and outs of how and why we sometimes get stuck – and what […]

Amicable Dissent

January 10, 2020 02:19 - 7 minutes - 8.96 MB

Turns out it is hard to change your mind, not to mention biologically expensive. But as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head there are many reasons we should learn how to do it better and more often.

Amicable Decent

January 10, 2020 02:19 - 7 minutes - 8.96 MB

Turns out it is hard to change your mind, not to mention biologically expensive. But as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head there are many reasons we should learn how to do it better and more often.