Episodes

  • Sexual harassment, bullying, disrespect.... The Payoff. (How prevalent is workplace mistreatment? A meta‐analytic investigation)

    Sexual harassment, bullying, disrespect.... The Payoff. (How prevalent is workplace mistreatment? A meta‐analytic investigation)
    Apr 3 2026
    When employees experience discrimination, harassment or bullying in the workplace, it can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and other health problems. Furthermore, it can also cause employees to lose confidence in their abilities and self-esteem, which affects their performance and engagement. Aside from the individual impact, poor treatment in the workplace can also lead to a problematic work climate and high levels of employee turnover. Employees who have experienced workplace abuse often become internally disengaged and may feel compelled to leave the company.
    But how big is the problem? How often do psychological and physical assaults take place in the workplace? A gigantic new meta-analysis (Dhanani et al., 2021) provides hard numbers, and the researchers even calculate the financial cost to our society....
    __________________
    Studies (small sample only):

    Cortina, L. M., Rabelo, V. C., & Holland, K. J. (2018). Beyond blaming the victim: Toward a more progressive understanding of workplace mistreatment. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 11(1), 81-100.

    Dhanani, L. Y., LaPalme, M. L., & Joseph, D. L. (2021). How prevalent is workplace mistreatment? A meta‐analytic investigation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(8), 1082-1098.

    Han, S., Harold, C. M., Oh, I. S., Kim, J. K., & Agolli, A. (2022). A meta‐analysis integrating 20 years of workplace incivility research: Antecedents, consequences, and boundary conditions. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(3), 497-523.

    McCord, M. A., Joseph, D. L., Dhanani, L. Y., & Beus, J. M. (2018). A meta-analysis of sex and race differences in perceived workplace mistreatment. Journal of applied psychology, 103(2), 137.

    Vranjes, I., & Lyubykh, Z. (2021). Workplace mistreatment: A review and agenda for research. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management.

    Yao, J., Lim, S., Guo, C. Y., Ou, A. Y., & Ng, J. W. X. (2022). Experienced incivility in the workplace: A meta-analytical review of its construct validity and nomological network. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(2), 193.

    Zhou, Y., Mistry, T. G., Kim, W. G., & Cobanoglu, C. (2021). Workplace mistreatment in the hospitality and tourism industry: a systematic literature review and future research suggestions. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 49, 309-320.
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    6 mins
  • 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!
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    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.
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    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.
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    10 mins
  • Mastering Your Emotions: Effective Strategies for Anxiety Regulation

    Mastering Your Emotions: Effective Strategies for Anxiety Regulation
    Nov 2 2024
    In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking meta-analysis by Webb, Miles, and Sheeran (2012), which examines the effectiveness of various emotion regulation strategies. This research dives into methods such as reappraisal, suppression, and distraction, revealing which techniques work best for managing strong emotions like anxiety. By understanding how these strategies impact our emotional responses, we can better control and reduce anxious feelings in everyday life. Tune in to learn actionable insights on using scientifically-backed methods to manage fear and stress...

    Webb, T. L., Miles, E., & Sheeran, P. (2012). Dealing with feeling: a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of strategies derived from the process model of emotion regulation. Psychological bulletin, 138(4), 775.

    #EmotionRegulation #AnxietyManagement #PsychologyInsights #MentalHealth #SelfHelp #Wellbeing
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    9 mins
  • The Psychology of Pricing: How 9.99 $ Manipulates Your Mind

    The Psychology of Pricing: How 9.99 $ Manipulates Your Mind
    Oct 5 2024
    In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of consumer psychology and uncover the subtle ways in which pricing can influence our purchasing decisions. Why do prices ending in ".99" or ".95" seem more appealing than rounded numbers? How can something as simple as $9.99 feel significantly cheaper than $10.00?Join us as we explore the psychological tricks behind these common pricing strategies and explain the underlying cognitive biases, such as the left-digit effect and anchoring, that companies use to manipulate consumer perception. Whether you're a marketer looking to sharpen your pricing tactics or a curious consumer wondering how to avoid being swayed by these tactics, this episode offers key insights into the subtle art of price manipulation.Tune in and learn how even a single penny can make a world of difference in the way we think and spend!
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    5 mins
  • The 36 Questions: Can They Really Make Anyone Fall in Love?

    The 36 Questions: Can They Really Make Anyone Fall in Love?
    Aug 31 2024
    In this episode, we explore the science behind the famous "36 Questions" and whether they truly have the power to make people fall in love. We'll dive into the psychological theories, research studies, and expert opinions that attempt to explain why these questions might work. Is it just a romantic myth, or is there some real scientific grounding behind it? Join us as we uncover the truth behind the questions that claim to bring people closer together.
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    9 mins
  • Overcome Anxiety: This is how you should talk to yourself!

    Overcome Anxiety: This is how you should talk to yourself!
    Jul 27 2024
    When dealing with anxiety, speaking to oneself in the third person can be a powerful tool, as research by psychologist Ethan Kross has shown. According to studies referenced on Psychologie-lernen.de, this technique, known as "distanced self-talk," involves addressing oneself by name or using non-first-person pronouns like "he," "she," or "they."
    Ethan Kross’s research highlights that distanced self-talk helps individuals gain psychological distance from their emotions. This separation allows them to manage their feelings more effectively and reduces emotional reactivity. By doing so, people can approach their problems more objectively, as if they were advising a friend, which can lead to better coping strategies and decision-making.
    For example, if someone named Alex is feeling anxious about an upcoming presentation, instead of saying, "I am so nervous," Alex could say, "Alex, you’ve prepared well for this. You can handle it." This subtle shift in perspective can diminish the intensity of the anxiety and foster a more supportive internal dialogue.
    Thus, incorporating third-person self-talk can be a simple yet effective strategy to manage anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and control by leveraging the psychological distance it creates.

    www.learningpsychology.net
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    6 mins