Learning Psychology (New) cover art

Learning Psychology (New)

Learning Psychology (New)

Written by: Eskil Burck
Listen for free

About this listen

 What makes us happy? How can we help people with depressive disorder? Is it possible to improve intelligence?... Scientists all over the world seek to find answers to these questions. Let's take a look at their findings...Copyright Eskil Burck Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Why Time Limits Make Your Kid More Addicted (The Lego Experiment)

    Why Time Limits Make Your Kid More Addicted (The Lego Experiment)
    Jan 3 2026
    Why "Just 10 More Minutes" Backfires: The Psychology of Time Limits
    Do you constantly find yourself telling your kids, "You only have 20 minutes of tablet time" or "Just one more level"? Many parents rely on time limits to control screen time or play, but what if setting these boundaries actually makes the craving worse?
    In this episode, we dive deep into the psychological effects of prohibitions and limitations. We discuss a fascinating study by Maimaran and Salant (2019), published in the journal Judgment and Decision Making. In an experiment with 4- to 5-year-olds, the researchers found that children who were given a strict time limit played with Legos for approximately 27% longer on average than children who were given no limit,.
    The psychological phenomenon at work here is reactance: as soon as our freedom is limited, we instinctively try to regain it, making the restricted activity suddenly appear more valuable,.
    We discuss:
    • Why artificial scarcity works not just in marketing ("only 1 item left in stock!"), but also in the playroom.
    • How you can flip this effect for good: The study shows that children consume more healthy food (like carrots) when it is presented as being "limited in quantity",.
    • Alternatives to constant time negotiations: Is it better to remove temptations like game consoles entirely, or should you rely on child safety modes and restricted apps to avoid the constant battles?
    Tune in to understand how to set limits wisely without accidentally triggering the exact behavior you want to avoid!
    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Smells Like Clean Spirit: The Power of Scent - How Smells Influence Our Behavior

    Smells Like Clean Spirit: The Power of Scent - How Smells Influence Our Behavior
    Apr 5 2025
    A study titled "Smells Like Clean Spirit: Nonconscious Effects of Scent on Cognition and Behavior" by Rob W. Holland, Merel Hendriks, and Henk Aarts (2005), published in Psychological Science, investigated how scents can influence human behavior. In one experiment, participants were subtly exposed to a citrus scent. The results showed that those in the scented environment cleaned up after themselves more thoroughly during a crumbly snack task compared to participants in an unscented room. This suggests that certain scents, like citrus, can unconsciously promote behaviors such as cleanliness.
    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Breaking the Cycle of Depression: The Promise of Metacognitive Therapy

    Breaking the Cycle of Depression: The Promise of Metacognitive Therapy
    Jan 11 2025
    In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) and its groundbreaking potential in treating depression. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has long been considered the gold standard, emerging research suggests that MCT may be even more effective in certain cases. We'll explore the latest studies comparing MCT and CBT, highlighting how MCT targets dysfunctional thinking patterns differently by focusing on thought processes rather than the content of thoughts.Join us as we unpack:
    • The key principles of Metacognitive Therapy.
    • Why "rumination" is a critical target in treating depression.
    • Recent clinical trials that position MCT as a frontrunner in mental health treatment.
    • Practical strategies inspired by MCT to break free from depressive cycles.
    Whether you're a mental health professional, a psychology enthusiast, or someone seeking tools for better mental health, this episode offers insights and hope for a brighter future.
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
No reviews yet