Episodes
The Psychology of Self-Preservation
The Psychology of Self-Preservation: Understanding Silence in Leadership and Everyday Life What makes a person look the other way when truth is being trampled? Why do institutions, especially those tasked with protecting the ...
Extinction Bursts – Why We Resist Change Before We Adapt
Have you ever tried to quit a habit only to find yourself indulging in it even more before finally letting go? Or ignored someone’s message, only to receive a flood of follow-ups? Welcome to the world of extinction bursts —th...
The Psychology of Emotional Unintelligence in Public Life
"The lack of emotional intelligence represented by the American populace in this thread was staggering." -------- What happens when a nation confuses outrage with strength, and cruelty with conviction? In this powerful, speci...
The Age of Shallow Learning: How Superficial Knowledge is Changing Us
We are drowning in information but starving for understanding. In today’s fast-paced digital world, we consume knowledge in bite-sized pieces—quick summaries, viral TikToks, catchy headlines—believing we’ve grasped the full p...
The Psychology of Values: How Your Beliefs Shape Your Life Choices
Why do you do what you do? Why do you think the way you think, speak the way you speak, or spend your time the way you do? In this episode of The Psychology of Us , Professor RJ Starr explores the deep psychological forces th...
Fragmented Focus: Why Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking and How to Re…
Why does it feel harder than ever to focus? Why do we skim articles, half-watch videos, and multitask endlessly without truly absorbing anything? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr , we explore th...
The Psychology of Belief: Why We Believe What We Do
Why do people hold onto beliefs with absolute certainty, even without evidence? What makes us trust misinformation, conspiracy theories, or deeply ingrained ideas that defy logic? In this episode of The Psychology of Us , Pro...
Why People Bully: The Psychology Behind Power and Control
Bullying is more than just schoolyard cruelty—it’s a social and psychological phenomenon that follows us into adulthood, shaping self-perception, relationships, and even workplace dynamics. In this episode of The Psychology o...
The Psychology of Dishonesty: Why People Lie and How to Spot It
Why do we lie, even when the truth seems simpler? In this episode, we explore the psychology of dishonesty—what drives people to deceive, how the brain processes lying, and why some lies feel justified while others carry last...
FOMO Unpacked: The Psychology of Missing Out in a Social Media World
In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores one of the most pervasive feelings in modern life: the fear of missing out, or FOMO. While FOMO may feel like a recent phenomenon driven by social media, it...
The Worry Trap: Why We Overthink and How to Break Free
Overthinking—it’s something we’ve all experienced, but why does it happen? And more importantly, how can we break free from it? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr , we take a deep dive into the ps...
The Psychology of Censorship and Control
Welcome to The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr , the podcast that explores the hidden forces shaping human thought, behavior, and society. In this episode, The Psychology of Censorship and Control, we uncover how cen...
Eremitism: The Psychology of Solitude and the Desire to Be Alone
In a world that never stops talking, what happens when we choose to step away? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr , we explore eremitism —the act of withdrawing from society for solitude, self-ref...
The Roots of Anger: Why We Lose Our Cool
Why do we lose our cool? What’s really happening beneath the surface when anger takes hold? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we dive deep into the psychology of anger—where it comes from, what ...
Why People Annoy Us: The Psychology of Irritation
Why do certain people and behaviors get under our skin? In this episode of The Psychology of Us , Professor RJ Starr unpacks the fascinating psychology behind irritation. From the biological roots of annoyance to the cognitiv...
Midterm Mayhem: How to Manage Academic Stress and Study Smarter
This podcast episode is a gift to my psych students, and to all students around the world. Enjoy! Midterm exams can feel overwhelming, but understanding the psychology behind stress can help you stay focused, motivated, and p...
Psychology of Values: The Hidden Compass Guiding Your Life
In this episode of The Psychology of Us , Professor RJ Starr explores the profound impact of focusing on your values and how they shape every aspect of your life. Why do some decisions feel effortless while others leave you c...
Stereotypes, Discrimination, and the Reality of Asian Women
In this special guest-hosted episode of The Psychology of Us , Cultural Psychology student Lilian Chantarakorn sits down with her professor, RJ Starr , for a powerful conversation on the stereotypes, discrimination, and objec...
Ghosting: Why People Disappear and the Psychology of Avoidance
Have you ever been ghosted? One day, you're talking to someone—maybe a friend, a romantic partner, or even a family member—and then, without warning, they vanish. No explanation. No goodbye. Just silence. Ghosting is one of t...
Psychology of Procrastination: Why We Put Things Off
Why do we procrastinate, even when we know it will make things harder in the long run? Is it laziness, a lack of discipline, or something deeper? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr , we break down...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Beyond the Stereotypes
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, often misused as a casual label for neatness or perfectionism. But what is OCD really? In this episode of The Psychology of Us wit...
McVulnerability: When Online Emotion Becomes a Performance
In this episode, Professor RJ Starr is interviewed by graduate student Gabriella Jamison to explore the concept of McVulnerability —a term describing the curated, performative nature of emotional sharing on social media. They...
Psychology of Gaslighting: Reclaim Your Reality
Have you ever walked away from a conversation questioning your own memory, your perception—even your sanity? Gaslighting is one of the most insidious forms of psychological manipulation, designed to make you doubt your realit...
Psychology of Moral Panic: Fear, Backlash, and Culture Wars
Why do societies erupt into moral panic? Why does every cultural shift spark outrage, fear, and reactionary backlash? In this episode of The Psychology of Us , Professor RJ Starr breaks down the psychological forces behind mo...