PODCAST · science
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science
by Maryland PSYCTerps
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science is a podcast from the University of Maryland’s Psychology Department that makes psychological research accessible and relevant. Each episode breaks down current studies, explores key psychological topics, and introduces the people behind the science. Episodes range from deep dives into specific studies and research methods to stories about researchers’ career paths, all designed to make complex psychological science clear, engaging, and relevant to listeners outside academia. #psychological science, #psychology, #mental health, #clinical psychology
Episodes
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Is Autism Really One Spectrum? Scientists May Be Wrong
In this episode of Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science, we sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Redcay to explore how studying real‑time interaction is reshaping what we know about the social brain and autism. We dive into second‑person neuroscience, brain‑to‑brain synchrony, and why measuring...
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Flipping the script on early childhood education
Relationships are an important part of the human experience, and especially for kids. In this episode, we dive into the role of relationships in early childhood education with Dr. Jude Cassidy. Jude shares insights from her decades of research on parent-child relationships and how her newest...
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Do Violent Video Games Increase Aggression?
Do violent video games turn people violent? After forty years of research, dozens of meta-analyses, and even a Supreme Court case, the debate still won’t die. In this episode of Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science, Mike and Joey trace the controversy from Mortal Kombat and the birth of…
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Understanding LGBTQ+ Mental Health, Minority Stress, and the Crisis of Suicide
Nearly half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide last year. In this episode, hosts Mike and Joey talk with Dr. Ethan Mereish, licensed psychologist and director of the Lavender Lab at the University of Maryland, about what the data say—and what can help. We explore...
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Why Mental Health Is a Maryland Issue—and a Terp Issue
Over 61 million adults in the US live with mental illness — nearly 1 in 4. For young people, the numbers are even starker: in Maryland alone, more than a third of middle schoolers and nearly 40% of high schoolers report persistent sadness or hopelessness. These aren't distant statistics. They're...
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Was the Stanford Prison Experiment the Greatest Fraud of All Time?
For decades, the Stanford Prison Experiment has been held up as proof that ordinary people can quickly become cruel when placed in the wrong situation. In this episode of Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science, hosts Joey Barnet and Mike Dougherty take a closer look at that famous study —…
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The Healthy Brain Study
How early do the experiences that shape who we become actually begin? In this episode of Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science, hosts Mike Dougherty and Joey Barnet talk with Dr. Tracy Riggins, a principal investigator on the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study—the largest...
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Project Pigeon: The bizarre and brilliant story of how a pesky bird almost changed the war
What if I told you I had developed a new technology that could perceive parts of the color spectrum imperceptible to the human eye? That this technology, with some training, could outperform any known computer, make decisions with near-perfect accuracy, and integrate these exceptional…
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Heuristics: Flawed shortcuts, or adaptive tools?
Perhaps one of the most widely studied topics in psychological science involves the study of heuristics and biases. Starting with the groundbreaking work of Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, the term "heuristic" became synonymous with decision making, and heuristic mechanisms such as…
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Inside the Psychology of Evil
When we talk about evil, we often imagine monsters, villains, or people fundamentally different from us. Psychology challenges that idea. Research on obedience, conformity, morality, and power suggests that evil isn’t always about who someone is, but about the situations they’re placed in and the...
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What's the deal with music and the brain?
Will listening to Mozart really make your kid a genius? Does music training actually make you smarter? And, what about listening to music while studying for that exam -- is that a good idea? In this episode Bob Slevc breaks down some common beliefs about music. Which are myth and which are fact?...
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Does Tylenol cause Autism? Not so fast
In this episode, we tackle the controversial claim that Tylenol causes Autism. But,does it really? How strong is the evidence and might there be alternative explanations for this observation? In this episode, Dr. Desi Jones breaks down what the research actually says, what it doesn't say, and why...
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Money & Happiness: It's how you spend it that matters.
Got a buck burning a hole in your pocket and wondering what you could buy that would make you feel good? Think again, because if you're looking to do something for yourself, maybe it's better to make it about someone else. Tune into this episode to learn about how spending your money on someone...
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Cracking the Shell on Kindness
Have you ever wondered why you feel a little better after doing something nice for someone else? Turns out there's a legit reason! In this episode, Abi and Mike dive into the research on kindness and how being kind can improve your own mental wellness. But how can we move beyond science and...
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Helping students with ADHD SUCCEED in college.
By some estimates, nearly 8% college students have ADHD, a neuropsychological condition marked by an inability to sustain attention, difficulty with planning and time management, and disorganization. Despite its prevalence and the impact of ADHD on important life outcomes like GPA, college...
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Getting to know ... Dr. Jude Cassidy
For many people, there can be few ways in which the fine arts apply to modern day psychological science. Not so for Dr. Jude Cassidy, who immediately saw the interaction between mother and child as a dance full of movement and emotion, telling stories of both romance and tragedy. Tune in to this...
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Getting to know ... Dr. Andrea Chronis-Tuscano
Growing up in the outskirts of Chicago with a single mom helped shape Dr. Andrea Chronis-Tuscano's identity and work ethic. But sometimes one's path through life is as much about values and ethics as it is about serendipity. So, put down your Italian beef sandwich and tune in to hear about Dr....
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Getting to know ... Dr. Arianna Gard
What do acting, being a nanny, and Detroit style pizza have in common? Tune in to this 'getting to know' episode featuring Dr. Arianna Gard to find out! We'll track Arianna's path to Psychology from the Bay area to the DMV and how she approaches her work in, and with, the community here at UMD....
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Getting to know ... Dr. Cassandra Phetmisy
From H-town to DC, this UMD faculty member found her way into Industrial-Organizational Psychology somewhat by chance. Join us in this episode where we hear from Dr. Cassandra Phetmisy and how she ended up with a career in Industrial Organizational psychology, where her surname originates, and…
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Getting to know ... Dr. Jessica Magidson
Tune in to listen to Jessica Magidson talk about her journey from hanging out at dad's pathology lab as a child to now leading her own lab. Jess talks about how she landed in her career as a clinical psychologist and what fuels her passion for advancing solutions for substance use disorder...
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PSYC414 Science of Sleep and Biological Rhythms
Ben and Mike talk with Dr. Dave Yager talks about his class on the Science of Sleep. Dave shares what students get out of the course and his unique approach to teaching and grading. Dr. Yager is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland where he has had a distinguished career impacting...
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What can we learn about human well-being by studying neighborhoods?
In this episode we talk with Dr. Arianna Gard about the Community and Resilient Environments (CARE) project, which is a community-based research study taking place in DC neighborhoods that aims to understand how neighborhood environments impact health and well-being across the lifespan.
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Research Smorgasbord: Parent-child anxiety, Prenatal brain development, and Autism
Psychological Science is an incredibly broad field covering basically any topic that could include some form of behavior. Whether it's Artificial Intelligence or Anxiety, psychology has something to say, and many cases, a lot to say. In this episode, we hear from four of our graduating seniors...
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Tips for managing stress (during finals)
In this episode, Dr. Abi Nicolas shares some tips for managing stress. Whether it's final exams or something else, we all experience stress. Find out how to recognize stress symptoms and what actions you can take to manage your stress.
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Finding Pizazzle (Part 2): Unleashing the superpowers of the ADHD brain
In this two part series we speak with Dr. Yamalis Diaz, a graduate from the University of Maryland's Clinical PhD program. In part 1, we learn about the early influences on Dr. Diaz's career and who helped her find her "pizazzle" and love for ADHD. In part 2, we dig into ADHD to learn about both...
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Finding Pizazzle (Part 1): From high school English assignment to discovering a love for ADHD
In this two part series we speak with Dr. Yamalis Diaz, a graduate from the University of Maryland's Clinical PhD program. In part 1, we learn about the early influences on Dr. Diaz's career and who helped her find her "pizazzle" and love for ADHD. In part 2, we dig into ADHD to learn about both...
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Cracking the NFL Draft: Using psychological principles to grade professional athletes potential
Being physically gifted is certainly necessary for performing at the highest level of sports, but might there be hidden psychological traits that differentiate the talented athlete from the truly exceptional? In this episode, Dr. Ken Yusko talks about his work with the NFL on the NFL Player...
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Blurred Minds (Part 2): The science of memory distortion and gaslighting.
In this two-part series, hosts Joey Barnet, Abi Nicolas and Mike Dougherty dive into a delicate and often misunderstood area: the intersection of everyday memory distortion and gaslighting, and the crucial distinction between intentional manipulation and genuine memory discrepancies. We'll…
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Blurred Minds (Part 1): The science of memory distortion and gaslighting.
In this two-part series, hosts Joey Barnet, Abi Nicolas and Mike Dougherty dive into a delicate and often misunderstood area: the intersection of everyday memory distortion and gaslighting, and the crucial distinction between intentional manipulation and genuine memory discrepancies. We'll…
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Imposter!
Regardless of your background, it's likely you've experienced a feeling of not measuring up to your peers. In this episode, Joey and Mike discuss the data on this common phenomena known as the Impostor Phenomena. While the phenomena has a number of negative consequences, it turns out that it's…
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Deep Dive: Financial Stress is about more than money.
Feeling stressed about your finances and thinking that a raise would fix the problem? Yes income matters, but that's just part of the story. Dr. Cassandra Phetmisy breaks down the data from her meta-analysis on financial stress, income, job satisfaction, and workplace behaviors.
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Deep Dive: What's missing from neuroscience research?
In this episode we chat with Dr. Arianna Gard about her recent work documenting what's reported and what's NOT reported in neuroscience research projects. So what's missing? Turns out, a lot! Tune in to find out more. If you're interested in reading the full report, the full report is freely...
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How one psychologist is bringing her work on substance use to rural Maryland
Dr. Jessica Magidson shares her work on substance use disorder and what she's doing to increase access to mental health and substance use treatment resources for rural Marylander's.
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The Shady Side of Sleepless Nights
Why is sleep important? How does sleep affect cognition? And, are tired people really less attractive? Tune in to hear Dr. David Yager discuss the neuroscience of sleep, its impact on everyday functioning, and "microsleeps".
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Getting to know ... Dr. Abigail Nicolas
In this episode, we hear about co-host Abigail Nicolas' journey into psychology and her interests outside the classroom.
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How can tech be used to meet mental health needs?
Technology is everywhere, but how can it be leveraged to help deliver mental health services to those in need? In today's episode, Dr. Henry Willis discusses his efforts to advance real-world solutions to addressing the mental health crisis.
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Is social media good or bad for mental health?
Today, Dr. Henry Willis breaks down the literature on the role of social media in youth mental health. Is social media all bad, or are there potential benefits for particular communities? Tune in and find out more!
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Getting to know ... Dr. Henry Willis
Take a moment to learn about Dr. Henry Willis, a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland. Who is this "Dr. Henry" and how did he end up in a career in Psychology?
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Does cognitive training improve everyday functioning?
Can you improve your working memory through "brain training"? Dr. Michael Dougherty shares his research on working memory training and his views on the broader scientific literature on this topic.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science is a podcast from the University of Maryland’s Psychology Department that makes psychological research accessible and relevant. Each episode breaks down current studies, explores key psychological topics, and introduces the people behind the science. Episodes range from deep dives into specific studies and research methods to stories about researchers’ career paths, all designed to make complex psychological science clear, engaging, and relevant to listeners outside academia. #psychological science, #psychology, #mental health, #clinical psychology
HOSTED BY
Maryland PSYCTerps
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science have?
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science currently has 39 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science about?
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science is a podcast from the University of Maryland’s Psychology Department that makes psychological research accessible and relevant. Each episode breaks down current studies, explores key psychological topics, and introduces the people behind the science....
How often does Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science release new episodes?
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science has 39 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science?
You can listen to Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science?
Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science is created and hosted by Maryland PSYCTerps.
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