Tune in for a discussion on 10 psychological mysteries from nature/nurture to mental health stigma.
On the Neuro Transmission, there’s never a shortage of new ideas. Join 10 professors featured in Season Three and learn how baseball, moral dilemmas, the human brain and other topics can help you create a dynamic way to engage students.
Featured Guest: Dr. Spencer A. Rathus SEE BIO ›
Socially constructed gender roles and stereotypes are embedded into everyday facets of our lives. So how do you provide support to students who fit outside these rigid expectations? Dr. Spencer A. Rathus of the College of New Jersey discusses modern views of sexuality and gender, plus ideas for helping LGBTQ students.
Featured Guest: Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo, Ph.D. SEE BIO ›
On average, we only have 2.6 people with whom we can connect—so how do we ensure we’re building our best social selves? Learn how Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo uses her brain dynamics laboratory at the University of Chicago to advance scientific knowledge of the social brain, and how she identifies biomarkers of successful social relationships.
Featured Guest: Dr. Matthew Wintersteen SEE BIO ›
Dr. Matthew Wintersteen brings a sobering—but essential—topic to The Neuro Transmission: suicide prevention among students on college campuses. Join us as we review data from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, prevention strategies and offer help.
Featured Guest: Dr. Carol K. Sigelman SEE BIO ›
Join us for a deep dive into attachment theory, a topic Psychology professor Dr. Carol K. Sigelman continues to explore and research. Listen as Dr. Sigelman discusses old and new findings, including research on brain development, the benefits of communication for children of deployed parents and other relevant, attachment theory-related themes.
Featured Guest: Andrew McIntosh SEE BIO ›
In a Neuro Transmission first, our host sits down with a non-Psychology expert who has lots to teach us about keeping students engaged. Hear how one Sociology Professor leveraged his love of hip-hop and cultivated an interdisciplinary specialization that is a hit with students.
Featured Guest: Tanya Martini Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior | 15th Edition ›SEE BIO ›
We’re often told that college is ideal for securing a job. Accordingly, instructors design assignments with skill development in mind—but students tend to see them simply as a means of understanding course content. Professor Tanya Martini of Brock University reveals how you can help students recognize—and eventually apply—the skills you want them to build, and what employers want to see.
Featured Guest: Dr. Micah Sadigh See Bio →
Sleep: everyone does it and everyone needs it. But have you ever wondered about the psychology and science behind it? Join Dr. Micah Sadigh for an awakening conversation about various sleep-related topics, including new research on sleep stages, how sleep relates to hygiene and more. Plus, Dr. Sadigh will “grade” the quality of America’s sleep.
Featured Guest: Carmon Weaver Hicks, Ph.D. SEE BIO ›
Listen to Dr. Carmon Weaver Hicks discuss a tough yet inevitable topic: death and dying. Hicks—a professor of Psychology and Sociology at Ivy Tech Community College—blends theory and research with personal stories and anecdotes from her classroom. From the language we use to talk about death to bereavement theories, tune in to hear what Hicks has to say about this fascinating—though often-avoided—topic.
Featured Guest: Dr. Phil & Dr. Barbara Newman Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach|13th Edition ›SEE BIO ›
Husband-and-wife Psychology team Drs. Phil and Barbara Newman discuss the topic of adolescents and present a variety of insightful questions: What makes parenting adolescents challenging? How are parenting practices related to peer group membership? Hear Phil and Barbara share what they’ve learned about the psychology of adolescents—including tips for bringing the topic to life in your own Psychology and Sociology courses.
Featured Guest: Dr. Janell Carroll Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity |6th Edition › SEE BIO ›
Students expect to hear textbook terminology in class. But Dr. Janell Carroll, author of Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity, says using only scientific language in Human Sexuality can make students uncomfortable. With the right mix of slang and classroom-appropriate wording, your class can discuss social media, consent and other topics that influence how sexuality is viewed today. Learn more from Dr. Janell Carroll—who literally wrote the book on sex—on this episode of the Neuro Transmission.
Featured Guest: Dr. Stephen L. ChewSEE BIO ›
In college, many study habits are based on popular beliefs about how to absorb information. These expectations are often misconceptions, leading to cramming and memorization instead of learning. Here, Dr. Stephen Chew of Samford University discusses how to unlearn common practices that damage students’ ability to be prepared for class—and ways you can teach best practices that are effective.
Featured Guest: Professor E. Bruce GoldsteinSEE BIO ›
Many people who want to move forward say, “leave the past behind.” But according to Dr. Bruce Goldstein, that’s just not how our brains work. Dr. Goldstein is back to discuss the connection our minds make between our past and our predictions, how we form constructions, and how similar areas of the brain light up when it comes to episodic memories and future scenarios.
Featured Guest: Professor E. Bruce GoldsteinSEE BIO ›
According to Professor E. Bruce Goldstein, perception is easy to learn. But by itself, it’s more complicated than one might think—especially for our retinas. Join Professor Goldstein, writer on topics such as retinal and cortical physiology, as he reveals how our eyes process images based on our memory, perception, decision-making and more.
Featured Guest: Dr. V. Mark DurandSEE BIO ›
When your child displays severe behavioral issues, pinpointing the right treatment can offer profound relief for the whole family. Dr. V. Mark Durand is back to discuss certain behaviors that individuals on the autism spectrum can present. Explore treatments as well as strategies for parents affected by these unique challenges, and discover how Dr. Durand became the expert in his field that he is today.
Featured Guest: Dr. V. Mark DurandSEE BIO ›
With the public discussion around Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it’s critically important to discuss misconceptions and form an accurate understanding. Join us and Dr. V. Mark Durand—Professor of Psychology at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg and the current President Elect Designate of the APA Division 33—to get an overview of ASD, its causes, treatments and more.
Featured Guest: Dr. Mike HoutSEE BIO ›
Leave it to Cognitive Psychologists to get us inspired by how our brains process what we see. That’s what Dr. Mike Hout does when he reveals how the most interesting parts of vision happen behind the scenes—in other words, how we interpret motion, color and shape. Learn more about the research Dr. Hout conducts in his lab at New Mexico State University, and his take on using technology to help people control computers through—you guessed it—eye movement.
Featured Guest: Dr. Mike HoutSEE BIO ›
Newly minted Psychology students are often swept up by the glamour of “lit up” brains in neuroscience, or the ubiquitous notion of clinical/counseling Psychology, according to Dr. Mike Hout of New Mexico State University. But as undergrads, a whole middle ground of studies could be right under their noses. Here, Dr. Hout explains how he got into Cognitive Psychology, and how to get students to appreciate and understand cognition in your course.
Featured Guest: Dr. BarnhartSEE BIO ›
Those who say magic has no place in science have never met Professor Tony Barnhart. In our previous sit-down with Dr. Barnhart, he pulled teaching strategies out of his hat—including why his colleagues in Cognitive Psychology are drawn to magic, not just for its entertainment value, but because it can also be used in the classroom. In Part Two of our sit-down, Dr. Barnhart discusses skepticism and critical thinking as well as his grand finale: a magic trick you can use to enable scientific analysis in your course.
Featured Guest: Anthony BarnhartSEE BIO ›
Children who learn simple magic tricks probably don’t expect to relearn them in college. That was certainly the case for Dr. Anthony Barnhart, who became a budding illusionist at age seven. Sure enough, Dr. Barnhart now works with fellow magic-loving Psychologists at Barrow Neurological Institute. He’s written books, performed acts and given talks in the name of Neuroscience—all with a sleight of hand. Hear more of Dr. Barnhart’s story, and how he puts theories of magic to the scientific test at Carthage College.
Featured Guest: Dr. LandrumSEE BIO ›
How do you lecture students when you no longer consider yourself a lecturer? If you’re Dr. Eric Landrum, Ph.D., you record them for students to watch outside of class. He says this flipped approach enriches the “instructional experience,” where students value collaborating together on Psychology projects during class—as opposed to procrastinating on traditionally assigned homework until the night before it’s due. Join Dr. Landrum as he discusses the flipped-classroom approach for his skills-based Psychology lessons—and what to do if you’re timid about trying it yourself.
Featured Guest: Dr. LandrumSEE BIO ›
Read. Regurgitate. Repeat. Dr. R. Eric Landrum, Ph.D., says students are often prepared for multiple choice exams, but not opportunities to think critically. But Dr. Landrum had an “aha” moment: students could either memorize 800 pages of an Intro to Psych textbook, or take five themes from said book to effect meaningful life changes. No matter how well that book was written, Dr. Landrum says only one of these models can set up students for long-term practical skills. Listen to Dr. Landrum’s model for a 22nd Century Higher Education, and ways to put as much focus on practical skill development as you would knowledge acquisition.
Featured Guest: Michael A. Britt, Ph.D.SEE BIO ›
From recalling the entire Solar System to imprinting musical scales in our minds, we begin learning with memory techniques at an early age. These techniques are called mnemonics, and you could call Dr. Michael Britt, Ph.D., a mnemonic fanatic. Britt says he memorized all 50 state capitals in an impressive 45 minutes. By getting granular with linking, keywords and other mnemonic techniques, you can too. Tune in to learn more about one of Britt’s favorite topics.
Featured Guest: Michael A. Britt, Ph.D.SEE BIO ›
Get the best of two psychology podcasts in one. Our own Jeffery Armstrong hosts Dr. Michael Britt, Ph.D., of popular podcast The Psych Files in a session filled with strategies for teaching Psychology experiments. Learn how recording an episode about immersing students in Elizabeth Loftus’ Eyewitness Testimony led to 50 experiment ideas bound in Britt’s aptly titled Psych Experiments—and how to get your students to think critically about research methods.
Featured Guest: Benjamin WhiteSEE BIO ›
Who says humor doesn’t belong in the classroom? Not Professor Benjamin White, whose comic chops turn ordinary Psychology lessons into a study of the human wit. While White emphasizes he doesn’t moonlight as a comedian, he actively plays for laughs throughout his courses and says it benefits his students. Join White as he discusses the psychology and neuroscience of humor—a talk so engaging, you won’t be heckling!
Featured Guest: Benjamin WhiteSEE BIO ›
Who says humor doesn’t belong in the classroom? Not Professor Benjamin White, whose comic chops turn ordinary Psychology lessons into a study of the human wit. While White emphasizes he doesn’t moonlight as a comedian, he actively plays for laughs throughout his courses and says it benefits his students. Join White as he discusses the psychology and neuroscience of humor—a talk so engaging, you won’t be heckling!
Featured Guest: Dr. Katherine Ramsland, Ph.D.SEE BIO ›
You know those moments: when you spark up a new idea, and you can just imagine the cartoon lightbulb flashing above your head. Well, according to brain research by Dr. Katherine Ramsland, an actual spark occurs in the right temporal lobe when you’re feeling rather brilliant. More than a matter of shifting your thoughts, these “snaps” have a three-step process—and Dr. Ramsland wants you to take control of them. Here, Professor Jeffrey Armstrong returns for part two of his conversation with Dr. Ramsland. Learn what’s making you snap—in a good way—and how to make it happen more often.
Featured Guest: Dr. Katherine Ramsland, Ph.D.SEE BIO ›
Our obsession with crime shows reveals a strong public interest in disturbing murderous acts. Professor of Forensic Psychology Dr. Katherine Ramsland doesn’t just watch these shows, she lives them. In fact, she has someone she’d like to introduce you to—and 10 people she can’t. Listen to Dr. Ramsland’s harrowing account of her face-to-face interviews with convicted serial killer Dennis Rader as she dissects the mindset and motives that led to 10 innocent lives gruesomely cut short. Lock your doors, keep your lights on and tune in to the new Neuro.
Featured Guest: Professor DomjanSEE BIO ›
Whether we are eating at noisy, crowded restaurants or going to eardrum-damaging concerts, there's a psychological explanation for our odd preferences: habituation and sensitization. In this podcast, we’ll discuss the universal principle of habituation, and how high intensity stimulation provides recovery from it—in other words, sensitization. Tune in—without damaging your eardrums—to hear more on Season 2, Episode 2 of The Neuro Transmission!
Featured Guest: Professor DomjanSEE BIO ›
Those 3rd, 4th and 5th slices of pizza just aren’t as glorious as the very first bite. Why? Because there's a psychological explanation for our odd preferences: habituation. In this podcast episode, we’ll discuss the universal principle of habituation. “It’s a force of habit” will take on a whole new meaning, and you’ll want to get in the habit of tuning into The Neuro Transmission!
Featured Guest: Dr. Laura Freberg
Why should we teach Epigenetics in Intro Psych? Many Intro Psych faculty feel like teaching epigenetics takes them outside of their comfort zone, but this podcast not only makes a case for why we need to teach it but also how someone unfamiliar with genetics can come up to speed quickly. Epigenetics helps us explain why psychologists no longer say nature VERSUS nurture, but rather talk about nature and nurture as constantly interacting. Engaging examples of epigenetics, such as the effects of the plastic additive BPA, can help make this topic resonate with students.
Featured Guest: Dr. Laura Freberg
What is love? This question is usually asked by poets, playwrights, and other artists, but today’s neuroscientists have a lot to say about the matter, too. This podcast looks at how the brain distinguishes between liking, love, and sexual desire, and why we are attracted to “that special someone” out of the billions of people on the planet. Once a relationship happens, though, it’s just as important to see what psychological sciences says about what makes it keep going. What factors distinguish between happy couples and couples unlikely to stay together? In this podcast, Laura Freberg discusses the psychological and biological aspects of falling in love, and sheds some light on what’s really going on when we meet someone and say “wow!”
Featured Guest: Dr. Jeffrey Nevid
Do you want to be happy? Of course you do. But what makes people happy? Is it wealth? Health? Marriage? Purpose in life? All of the above? Psychology was slow to the party when it came to studying what makes people happy. It wasn’t until the 1990s with the emergence of a new movement in psychology, called positive psychology, that serious research attention was focused on understanding the factors contributing to human happiness and well-being. Positive psychology was a dramatic shift within psychology from focusing on understanding human deficits or problems, like drug abuse and psychological disorders, to exploring human virtues and assets, such as helping behavior, love, and happiness. What these researchers discovered about happiness may surprise you. Tune in to find out more!
Featured Guest: Dr. Jeffrey Nevid
Students often say that they spend many hours reading their textbooks and attending classes, but their grades don’t reflect the work that they do. Success is not simply a function of the time you put into your courses, but how well you use that time. Developing more effective study skills can help you become a more effective learner and get the most from your courses. In this podcast, psychologist Jeff Nevid shows how effective learning is a skill you can acquire that will help you ace that test.
Featured Guest: Tanya Martini, Ph.D.
E-portfolios have become popular in recent years. Tune in to learn about e-portfolio assignments and their benefits and challenges for both professors and students.
Featured Guest: Tanya Martini, Ph.D.
Skills-based learning is an important part of what is being fostered during your Psychology degree, but for many undergraduates it is not "front and center." Instead, students tend to focus their attention on the subject matter when they take courses; that is, they're much more concerned with course content (what's written in the textbook, or presented in lecture) than they are with transferable job-related skills. Tune in to find out how your skills in Psychology translate to the job market!
Featured Guest: Ellen E. Pastorino, Ph.D.
Psychology is the most popular major in the country, but what can I do with my major if I do not go to grad school? How can I find my career path and maximize the skills I developed through out my time studying Psychology? Tune in to find out more!
Featured Guest: Ellen E. Pastorino, Ph.D.
Psychology is the most popular major in the country, but what should you do when you finish your undergrad? What are some of the facts around majoring in Psychology? What are the myths? Tune in and learn what you can do with a Psychology degree after you graduate. In this podcast we will cover what skills matter and how you can achieve your goals. Tune in to find out more!
Featured Guest: Dr. Roy F. Baumeister
Sexual activity is often regarded as among the most private of activities, negotiated by two individuals on the basis of their own individual desires and values. Idealistic treatments describe the two individuals as potentially equal and interchangeable. In this podcast, we discuss sexual negotiations in the context of a cultural system in which men and women play different roles resembling buyer and seller—in a marketplace that is ineluctably affected! Tune in to hear more on this episode of, The Neuro Transmission!
Featured Guest: Dr. Roy F. Baumeister
In part one of this episode of The Neuro Transmission, we explore surprising experimental effects relating to the power of the human need to belong.
Jeff Armstrong is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Northampton Community College, with a B.A. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Monmouth University. A lover of digital, he’s developed textbook-enhancing videos for learning.
