Two Guys on Your Head
Two Guys on Your Head is a podcast from KUT & KUTX Studios hosted by psychologists Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke. Each episode explores the science behind how our brains work, touching on everyday behavior, decision making, and cognitive quirks. The hosts break down complex psychological concepts into accessible conversations.
Episodes
Annoyance Part I: Predictability and Risk
Why is it that some things really annoy us while others we couldn’t care less about? It turns out it has a lot to do with predictability and attention: we get annoyed when something we didn’t choose or anticipate intrudes on our attention, or when we are stuck paying attention to something we would rather […]
Threatening Punishment (Rebroadcast)
In the moment, threatening punishment might seem like a good idea, but does it work? It turns out it depends on your goal. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of punishment and reveal why scolding, threats, and consequences might […]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
There are times when we feel out of sync with what we want in the world and how we act in the world. Say you’re longing for close, lasting relationships, but you are acting in a way that says you don’t believe you’re worthy of love, pulling back or pushing people away without quite knowing […]
When To Use AI: An Opportunity
AI tools can help us extend our capabilities and our capacity, but what about our brains? When is using AI beneficial, and when can it be detrimental to our ability to learn and think? In Part II of our conversations on “When To Use AI,” Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke and Rebecca McInroy talk […]
When To Use AI: The Problem
AI tools are ubiquitous and, let’s be honest, mind-blowing in their capabilities. But when is it healthy and productive to use them, and when is it not? What impact does relying on AI have on our ability to learn, to be creative, to think? In this first “Two Guys on Your Head” episode in our […]
Back To School: Teachers
It’s that time of year again when fresh-faced little ones with new backpacks and clean shoes head back to school. On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy wanted to provide some tips to help teachers set the stage for a successful and happy year.
Back To School: Kids and Parents
It’s that time of year again when fresh-faced little ones with new backpacks and clean shoes head back to school. On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy wanted to make sure to highlight the psychological significance of this time of year for kids and […]
Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s 1953 dystopian novel, follows Guy Montag, a “fireman” whose job is to burn books, as he turns into an outlaw set on restoring memory, reclaiming time to think, and building human connection. It is a classic that is easy to take for granted, but as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, […]
Growth Mindset and Self-blame
Having a growth mindset, the belief that you can get better with effort alone, is supposed to push you to keep trying when things get hard, and often it does. But new research suggests that when you try and still fail, you are more likely to blame yourself, and that can harm your mental wellbeing. […]
Growth Mindset and Its Discontents
A growth mindset about intelligence, the belief that you can get smarter with effort, is supposed to push you to keep trying when things get hard. And often it does. But what happens when you try and still fail? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and […]
Navigating Uncertainty: Gratitude and The Swartz Value System
No one can control everything that happens, but we can adapt to a changing environment, even when that means shifting our perspective. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy discuss the value of gratitude and how a better understanding of where our values come from […]
Managing Discontinuous Predictions
Most people, most days, deal with variation pretty well, but how do we psychologically prepare for the times when big things happen that change the course of our lives, our livelihoods, or our sense of self? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about […]
How to Disconnect and Why It’s Important (Rebroadcast)
It’s summertime, and for some, that means it’s time for a vacation. But how do you get the most out of your time off and truly vacate? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about how to disconnect and why it’s important.
Personality Traits, Moderation, and Longevity
A new study confirms that personality traits are associated with longevity, or lack thereof, but while behavior matters, there’s more to the story. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy look at why “everything in moderation, including moderation,” is still good advice. McGeehan et […]
Protect Your Boredom (Rebroadcast)
It seems that people today carry with them the constant mantra, “I’m so busy.” And as it can be tough to juggle work, kids, and life in general, a lot of that feeling of being overwhelmed may be our own fault. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markaman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the […]
How Old Do You Feel? (Rebroadcast)
Why is it that we can feel a lot younger or older than we are? What does it mean to feel our age? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the psychology of how we perceive age.
Fighting Back
When someone attacks your character, the urge to fire back is almost irresistible. But defending yourself in the heat of the moment often does more harm than good, so why do we do it? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of fighting back.
Oration Part III: The Conversation
Any form of oration is communication, and that communication is often not just a one-way street. In our third episode in our Two Guys on Your Head series on oration, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy look at how oration can be a conversation, albeit a fraught one.
Oration Part II: Some Tips
Graduation season brings a flood of commencement speeches, but most fall flat. In this episode of our Two Guys on Your Head series on oration, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy offer some practical tips on how to be an effective orator.
Oration Part I: On Slowing Down
Graduation season brings a flood of commencement speeches, but most fall flat. In this first episode in our Two Guys on Your Head series on oration, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy break down the psychology behind effective public speaking and explore the specific techniques that separate forgettable speeches from memorable ones.
How We Learn Language
If we can learn a language in our infancy, why is it so difficult to learn a second language later in life? On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore how we learn language.
Déjà vu
Have you ever traveled to a new place and suddenly, randomly, you experience this overwhelming sense of familiarity with what you’re seeing, like you’ve already seen it, even though you know you haven’t because you’ve never been there before? We call this phenomenon Déjà vu. On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob […]
Graduation
It’s graduation season, and that comes with a lot of joy, tears, expectations, and relief. But it turns out, as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, graduation is about a lot more than a diploma.
Art Explains his Easter Egg
Art explains the intro clip in the Easter Egg episode.
Easter Eggs
When we discover a hidden secret in a song, a movie, or a book, we can feel a sense of joy and connection. Those little gems are referred to as “easter eggs,” and we look for them because we’re curious. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk […]
Schadenfreude
We’ve all felt a little spark of satisfaction when someone who wronged us stumbles, or when a rival fails. That feeling has a name: schadenfreude, a German word for the pleasure derived from witnessing the troubles or humiliation of others. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore why […]
The Failure Gap & Its Discontents
In a forthcoming paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Eskreis-Winkler and colleagues describe what they call “the failure gap” — the consistent finding that outside observers dramatically overestimate how often people succeed after failing. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy […]
The Failure Gap
In a forthcoming paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Eskreis-Winkler and colleagues describe what they call “the failure gap” — the consistent finding that outside observers dramatically overestimate how often people succeed after failing. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, describes the study and implications of […]
The Psychology of Memory
One of the greatest features of our brains is that we can forget things, but why is it so difficult to forget some things but not others? It turns out, our brains absorb information before we ever get a chance to evaluate it — and once something is in there, there’s no delete key. In […]
Reading vs. Listening (Rebroadcast)
Ever caught yourself saying “I’m reading a great book” only to awkwardly correct yourself with “…well, actually I’m listening to it”? That guilty pause says a lot. But you have nothing to feel bad about. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy break down […]
Dignity
Dignity is core to our humanity and woven into our sense of agency, authenticity, and the way others treat us, yet what it looks and feels like shifts across cultures, circumstances, and relationships. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the psychology behind […]
Neuroticism Part III: Support
People high in the Big Five personality trait of neuroticism generally experience more negative than positive feelings each day. In this final episode of our three-part series on the psychology of neuroticism from Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of support. Big Five […]
Neuroticism Part II: Social Media and Personality Tests
People high in the Big Five personality trait of neuroticism generally experience more negative than positive feelings each day. In this second episode of our three-part series on the psychology of neuroticism from Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the impact of social media, the […]
New Research in Neuroticism
People high in the Big Five personality trait of neuroticism generally experience more negative feelings and fewer positive feelings each day. In this first episode of a three-part series on the psychology of neuroticism from Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy discuss some new research that explores […]
Compliments
We may think that giving someone a compliment just makes them feel good, yet as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy discuss in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, the benefits of complimenting others reach far beyond the expression of praise or admiration.
Theory
A theory serves as an analytical tool to explain “why” and “how” events occur, rather than just describing them. Yet, all too often, the way we use the idea of a theory obfuscates the real value of what a theory is: a structured, evidence-based explanation for natural or social phenomena, constructed using the scientific method […]
Psychological Safety, Safety, and Trust
There is a difference between being safe and thinking you are safe, and the bridge between those two things is built on trust. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the difference between psychological safety and the psychology of safety and how […]
Compensation
Compensation is about more than just a paycheck. It’s about feeling valued, secure, and supported, but we don’t always think about it that way. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of compensation.
Desensitization
Why do things that once felt exciting, delicious, shocking, or even frightening start to feel… ordinary? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of desensitization and how motivation, memory, and context shape what we see, feel, and react to, often […]
The Psychology of Healthy Ambition
Working toward goals can give our lives direction and meaning. But psychology shows that when we focus too narrowly on outcomes, we can undermine both our well-being and our performance. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the importance of staying mentally […]
Early Specialization?
If your child shows exceptional talent early, it may be tempting to cultivate it immediately. However, an overload of lessons and practice may not be the most effective approach. This episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the perils of specializing early. Bloom, Benjamin […]
Protecting Your Boredom (Re-broadcast)
Someone once said, “I like to do nothing if I can avoid doing something.” For many of us, doing nothing is surprisingly hard. It asks us to generate our own thoughts rather than constantly reacting to Instagram, email, and an ever-expanding stream of stimuli. But when we allow ourselves the space to be bored, to […]
Stupidity
We often use the word stupidity to cover a wide range of mistakes. But on closer inspection, what makes something “stupid” may have less to do with what “stupid does” and more to do with what it ignores. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca […]
Are Holiday Traditions The Fountain of Youth? (Rebroadcast)
For many of us, the holidays bring us back to our families and the traditions we’ve carried through the years. And while that can come with its fair share of stress, it can also offer something unexpectedly beautiful: a chance to re-center ourselves and reconnect with the version of us we knew in childhood. In […]
Grief, Work and The Gig Economy
When we are grieving, having a supportive work environment can be helpful, but what about when we are working remotely or in a gig job? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about how to support your co-workers and the importance of building […]
Grief and Work
Grief is difficult, exhausting, and slow, but our daily routines, including work, still continue during the grieving process. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about how we can show up with compassion for colleagues who are grieving, and how we can prepare […]
Tips On Making Decision
Making big decisions is never easy, and the higher the stakes, the harder it can feel to trust our own judgment. So in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore what actually helps us make better choices, and how we can support others in […]
Complex Decision Making
When it comes to making really tough decisions, like deciding where to go to college or where to work, we may think we should lay out all the options and weigh the pros and cons, but as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke and Rebecca McInroy talk about in this episode of Two Guys on […]
SPECIAL: Celebrating 75 Years of The School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin
Join the Two Guys on Your Head team, Rebecca McInroy, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke, for this special live recording celebrating the 75th anniversary of the UT School of Social Work and the 85th anniversary of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. Featured Guests: In This Episode: Recorded before a live audience, this […]
The Evolutionary Benefit of Overconfidence
As the poet Jack Gilbert reminds us, “Icarus also flew,” which ain’t nothing. But as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, it’s a good idea to check with the experts first before attempting a big new challenge, so that you don’t get […]
Overconfidence
New research on the psychology of overconfidence reveals that even when people get clear feedback about their actual abilities, their confidence doesn’t budge. The finding might not surprise you, but as we explore in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, with Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy, the way researchers […]
Bad Luck, Superstitions, and Safety Behaviors
When it comes to luck, we often focus on the good kind, but what about bad luck, superstition, and the strange rituals we turn to for comfort and control? On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about how these beliefs and behaviors can […]
Luck
Chance may favor the prepared mind, but if you’re only looking for a lucky break, you may miss out on something much more important. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of luck.
The Weighted Vest: an update on popularity
Popularity shapes our choices every day, but in today’s world, what we perceive as “popular” is often steered by algorithms, targeted ads, push notifications, and the constant pull of social media; forces we may not fully recognize. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy […]
The Psychology of Popularity
We often assume our choices reflect personal taste: selecting the “best” products, enjoying the movies we “want” to see, and listening to the music we believe is “good.” Yet underlying these decisions is the powerful influence of popularity. It doesn’t just affect what we buy—it informs how we evaluate ideas, people, and beliefs. In this […]
How We Determine Value (Rebroadcast)
Humans may take the card we swipe for granted at the grocery store when we buy food, or look at our bank balance and not even think of how unique it is that we can translate those little numbers into experiences and things. It’s merely one of the benefits of having big brains. In this […]
Mental Health in the Media Storm
Every day we’re surrounded by a flood of negative headlines, and it can take a real toll on our mental health. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy share practical ways to protect your well-being and stay mentally strong in the midst of all […]
The Psychology of Personal Resistance
To resist or not to resist? That is the question. And the answer is—shocker to no one—it depends. But what it depends on matters a lot. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the fine line between resistance as healthy self-preservation versus resistance […]
The Weather and Social Media Use
We spend an increasing proportion of our time online, and, given the importance of social media to human welfare, the external factors that shape online behavior are important to consider. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore social media use and the weather. […]
The Weather and Your Mood
We often blame the weather when we’re feeling low, or give it credit when we’re feeling great. But research shows our moods aren’t actually driven by sunshine or storms. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the surprising psychology of weather and emotion. […]
Does Money Motivate Discovery?
Discoveries can make a lot of money, so can you enhance the discovery process with more money? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore a new study that examines this exact question.
Retroactive Justification
When our actions hurt someone or lead to a bad outcome, it can be uncomfortable to acknowledge that we’re at fault, yet as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, taking responsibility for our actions can yield long-term psychological benefits we shouldn’t overlook.
Why We Like People Who Hate Everyone
We all know someone who seems to dislike everyone, until they decide they like you. But what happens next? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the psychology behind people who hate everyone.
The Psychology of Style: Power
The way we dress can say a lot about who we are, especially when it comes to rank. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore how what we wear conveys our agency, power, and autonomy.
The Psychology of Style: The Uniform
The way we dress, whether to stand out or blend in, can say a lot about who we are. But what influences that choice? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore how uniforms can shape our identity, behavior, and sense of belonging, and […]
The Psychology of Style
What we wear not only expresses who we are, it also shapes how we see and interpret the world around us. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the surprising psychology of style.
The Psychology of Play
Turns out that understanding the why and how of play in our everyday lives is a serious business, and a lot of fun! In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Rebecca McInroy, Art Markman, and Bob Duke join Alison Preston, Kirk Lynn, and Sarah Abraham from a special presentation at the Texas Science Festival on the psychology, science, and performance of play! Listen to […]
How to Give a Great Talk (Rebroadcast)
You don’t need to be wildly witty or irresistibly charming to give a great talk; you just need to be yourself. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke share why authenticity matters most, along with a few practical tips that can take your speaking skills to […]
Human-Centered Design: Prevention
How do you bring human-centered design into systems that weren’t built with humans in mind?In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore how small, thoughtful changes, even in complex, rigid systems, can prevent problems and demonstrate that people matter.
Human-Centered Design: Administration
Have you ever been forced to sit through hours of training because someone in another department made a mistake that has nothing to do with you? This “fire hose” approach that organizations sometimes take to address problems is surprisingly common. In our first episode of a series on the psychology of human-centered design, Two Guys […]
Why We Continue To Threaten Punishment
If threatening punishment is not an effective way to change behavior or motivate people, why do we continue to do it? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy wrap up their exploration of the psychology of punishment by examining why we rely on threats and why they still […]
Signal Value and Punishment
Not all punishment is created equal. While punishment can serve many purposes, it’s not always effective when it comes to changing behavior, especially if the goal is simply to avoid getting punished. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy continue their exploration of the psychology of punishment, focusing […]
Threatening Punishment
In the moment, threatening punishment to see behavior change might seem like a good idea, but does it work? It turns out it depends on your goal. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of punishment and reveal why scolding, […]
Reasoning From The Desired Conclusion
It can be frustrating to be in conversations that get you nowhere, often because one party knows what they want already and is not interested in hearing the other side. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the all too common practice of […]
Apathy and Value Systems
Our culture, personal reflection, and life experiences shape how we understand our value within larger systems, and this, in turn, affects how we see our role in creating change. In the third and final installment in our Two Guys on Your Head series on the psychology of apathy, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and […]
How To Combat Apathy
When the weight of the world feels overwhelming, tuning out can feel like the only option. But what happens when apathy becomes a habit, and how do we break free from it? In this episode, the second in our Two Guys on Your Head series on the psychology of apathy, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob […]
Learned Apathy
When life feels like a nonstop barrage of problems we can’t fix, it’s natural to want to shut down. But apathy doesn’t make the problems go away, and it can leave us feeling even more stuck. In this episode—the first in our Two Guys on Your Head series on the psychology of apathy—Dr. Art Markman […]
Spring
Spring is in the air in Austin, Texas, and on this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke talk about why–psychologically–it’s important to enjoy the beauty of this moment.
Conversation
Conversations change our minds. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke explore the psychology of why and how that happens.
Embodied Emotions (Rebroadcast)
Emotions are sometimes good to listen to when you’re trying to make a decision, but sometimes, they’re not so good. However, as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explore in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, the more you know about how your brain works and what certain feelings may indicate, the more tools you have […]
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