Professor Dan Cable and comedian Akin Omobitan unearth social science’s hidden gems by “funpacking” peer-reviewed articles and sharing their choice findings!
Reciprocity is the dish of the day as Dan and Akin chew on research out of Stanford which questions why employee loyalty and effort is sometimes not reciprocated by employers - and, as it turns out, colleagues too.
- Research Paper: 'How “Organization” Can Weaken the Norm of Reciprocity: The Effects of Attributions for Favors and a Calculative Mindset' by Peter Belmi and Jeffrey Pfeffer
Does it seem risky to be yourself at a job interview or on a first date? Turns out the riskier approach is trying to be what we think others want us to be. Dan and Akin squeeze research that weighs the benefits of authenticity against catering to the needs of others.
- Research Paper: 'To be or not to be your authentic self? Catering to others’ preferences hinders performance' by Francesca Gino, Ovul Sezer and Laura Huang
Anxiety is a normal response to rising tensions, but there an abnormal responses far more helpful. Dan and Akin squeeze a research paper that investigates the 'paradox mindset' and its benefits.
- Research Paper: 'Microfoundations of Organizational Paradox: The Problem is How We Think about the Problem' by Ella Miron-Spektor, Amy Ingram, Joshua Keller, Wendy K. Smith and Marianne W. Lewis
In life, some things help us along while others hold us back; which should we pay more attention to, and what good can come from changing our minds? Akin and Dan squeeze a research paper that looks into our asymmetric responses to headwinds and tailwinds.
- Research Paper: 'The Headwinds/Tailwinds Asymmetry: An Availability Bias in Assessments of Barriers and Blessings' by Shai Davidai and Thomas Gilovich
Have you considered whether the skills you've picked up at your work place would be valuable anywhere else? Dan and Akin squeeze research into why being too valuable to one organisation might make you less valuable to others.
- Research Paper: 'Micro-Foundations of Firm-Specific Human Capital: When do Employees Perceive Their Skills to Be Firm Specific?' by Joseph Raffiee and Russell Coff
There are reasons why armies, churches, organisations and communities engage in group activities seemingly unrelated to the purpose of the group. Dan and Akin squeeze research that looked into the benefits of getting several individual minds to think, feel and behave as one.
- Research Paper: 'Synchrony and Cooperation' by Scott S. Wiltermuth and Chip Heath
Did you know that a strong predictor for narcissism in children is how much money their parents make? Dan and Akin squeeze research that asks what this means for work places, as narcissists are more likely to be selected as leaders.
- Research Paper: 'Echoes of Our Upbringing: How Growing Up Wealthy or Poor Relates to Narcissism, Leader Behavior, and Leader Effectiveness' by Sean R. Martin, Stephane Cote and Todd Woodruff
What do you think would have longer lasting effects on your happiness, winning the lottery or having a paralysing accident? Researchers wanted to know, and in this episode, Dan and Akin squeeze their findings for some invaluable life lessons.
- Research Paper: 'Lottery Winners and Accident Victims: Is Happiness Relative?' by Philip Brickman, Dan Coates and Ronnie Janoff-Bulman
When you're on top, it can feel like everyone wants something from you. Might you be right? Or is it all in your head? Dan and Akin look to social psychology for an answer, and pull at the roots of our budding cynical nature.
- Research Paper: 'How Power Corrupts Relationships: Cynical Attributions for Others' Generous Acts' by Ena Inesi, Deborah Gruenfeld and Adam Galinsky
When it comes to making decisions about our health, we think differently depending on whether the action prevents or detects problems. Dan and Akin squeeze a study which responds to this by investigating differences in what happens when the emphasis is put on potential gains versus losses.
- Research Paper: 'The Systematic Influence of Gain-and Loss-Framed Messages on Interest in and Use of Different Types of Health Behavior' by Alexander J. Rothman, Steven C. Martino, Brian T. Bedell, Jerusha B. Detweiler and Peter Salovey
