Why do humans both seek out authority figures and resist them? Discover the fascinating psychology behind our complex relationship with authority in this episode of "Learning English with Human Beans." From classroom dynamics to political paradoxes, we explore how the desire for leadership shapes American society while building essential vocabulary to discuss power, governance, and social structures in English.

References:

Arendt, H. (1954). "What is Authority?" In Between Past and Future: Eight Exercises in Political Thought. Viking Press.

Canivenc, S. (2012). "Autogestion et nouvelles formes organisationnelles dans la société de l'information, de la communication et du savoir." Thèse de doctorat, Université Rennes 2.

Desor, D. (1973). "Le comportement social des rats soumis à un problème de surpopulation expérimentale." Archives de biologie. 84(4).

Dos Santos, J. R. (2024). The Chaos Protocol. HarperCollins.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (2021). The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates. Retrieved from https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market

Kubrick, S. (Director). (1964). Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb [Film]. Columbia Pictures.

Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2023). Tyranny of the Minority: How to Reverse an Authoritarian Turn and Forge a Democracy for All. Crown Publishing.

Milgram, S. (1974). Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View. Harper & Row.

Orwell, G. (1945). Animal Farm: A Fairy Story. Secker & Warburg.

Orwell, G. (1949). Nineteen Eighty-Four. Secker & Warburg.

Prairat, E. (2012). "L'autorité éducative au risque de la modernité." Recherche et formation, 71.

Russell, B. (1949). Authority and the Individual. Routledge.

Simon-Nahum, P. (2023). Sagesse du politique. Le devenir des démocraties. L'Observatoire.

The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015). [Film]. Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez. IFC Films.

Strada Institute for the Future of Work & Burning Glass Institute. (2024). Talent Disrupted: New Data on Bachelor's Degree Underemployment. Retrieved from https://www.burning-glass.com/research-reports/talent-disrupted/

van Vugt, M. (2006). "Evolutionary Origins of Leadership and Followership." Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10(4), 354-371.

Discover how our minds play “what if” games to learn from the past and manage emotions in this episode of Learning English with Human Beans: “What If...? – Exploring Counterfactual Thinking.” We unpack the psychology behind imagining alternative outcomes, show how these thoughts help-or sometimes hinder-us, and illustrate the concept with everyday examples and popular fiction.

References:

• Roese, N. J., & Olson, J. M. (1995). What Might Have Been: The Social Psychology of Counterfactual Thinking. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

• Roese, N. J. (1997). Counterfactual Thinking. Psychological Bulletin, 121(1), 133–148 .

• Roese, N. J. (2007). The Functional Theory of Counterfactual Thinking. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 11(4), 168–192 .

• Epstude, K., & Roese, N. J. (2017). The functional theory of counterfactual thinking: New evidence, new challenges, new insights. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 55, 1–52

Learn English while discovering how to spot fake news! In this episode, we explore why false information spreads so quickly and how our minds can be tricked. Using everyday vocabulary and clear examples, we'll help you understand important concepts like "confirmation bias" and "information bubbles" while improving your English listening skills. You'll pick up useful phrases to discuss media literacy while learning practical tips for checking sources and recognizing manipulation techniques. A perfect blend of language practice and essential life skills for navigating today's information-filled world!

References:

- Kahneman, D. (2011). *Thinking, Fast and Slow*. [System 1 and System 2 thinking]

- Wason, P. C. (1960). On the failure to eliminate hypotheses. *Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology*. [Confirmation bias]

- Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1973). Availability: A heuristic for judging frequency. *Cognitive Psychology*. [Availability bias]

- Bacon, F. (1620). *Novum Organum*. [Early work on confirmation tendencies]

- Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. *Science*. [False information spreads six times faster than truth]

- Festinger, L., et al. (1956). *When Prophecy Fails*. [Cognitive dissonance]

- World Economic Forum. (2024). *Global Risks Report*. [Misinformation as critical global risk]

- Brandolini, A. (2013). Brandolini's law. [The asymmetry of bullshit principle]

- Bronner, G. (2021). Conspiracy theory formation. *Journal of Social Psychology*. [Analysis of conspiracy emergence timeframes]

- Johnson, N. F., et al. (2020). The online competition between pro- and anti-vaccination views. *Nature*. [Vaccination discourse on social media]

- Bronner, G. (2023-2024). *Rationality in the Age of Misinformation*. Seminar series at La Sorbonne University.

Sources

# Key References

- Kahneman, D. (2011). *Thinking, Fast and Slow*. [System 1 and System 2 thinking]

- Wason, P. C. (1960). On the failure to eliminate hypotheses. *Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology*. [Confirmation bias]

- Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1973). Availability: A heuristic for judging frequency. *Cognitive Psychology*. [Availability bias]

- Bacon, F. (1620). *Novum Organum*. [Early work on confirmation tendencies]

- Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. *Science*. [False information spreads six times faster than truth]

- Festinger, L., et al. (1956). *When Prophecy Fails*. [Cognitive dissonance]

- World Economic Forum. (2024). *Global Risks Report*. [Misinformation as critical global risk]

- Brandolini, A. (2013). Brandolini's law. [The asymmetry of bullshit principle]

- Bronner, G. (2021). Conspiracy theory formation. *Journal of Social Psychology*. [Analysis of conspiracy emergence timeframes]

- Johnson, N. F., et al. (2020). The online competition between pro- and anti-vaccination views. *Nature*. [Vaccination discourse on social media]

- Bronner, G. (2025). *Rationality in the Age of Misinformation*. Seminar series at La Sorbonne University.

In our latest “Learning English with Human Beans” episode, discover the fascinating science of mind-body connections. Learn how thoughts and emotions directly impact physical health, explore innovative therapies like neurofeedback and hypnosis, and gain practical vocabulary to discuss stress, meditation, and holistic wellness in English. Your mind and body are constant conversation partners-join us to understand their language.

References:

- Benson, H., & Klipper, M. Z. (2000). The Relaxation Response. HarperCollins.

- Buckley, T., et al. (2015). “Angry outburst could trigger heart attack within hours.” European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care.

- Danner, D. D., Snowdon, D. A., & Friesen, W. V. (2001). “Positive Emotions in Early Life and Longevity: Findings from the Nun Study.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(5), 804–813.

- Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind. Delta.

- Salminen, J., et al. (2023). “Assessment of the Mind–Body Connection: Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the Body–Mind Connection Questionnaire.” Psychosomatic Medicine.

- Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E., Astin, J. A., & Freedman, B. (2006). “Mechanisms of Mindfulness.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 373–386.

- Selye, H. (1956). The Stress of Life. McGraw-Hill.

Join us as we explore José Rodrigues dos Santos' international bestseller "The God Formula" (or "The Einstein Enigma"). This thrilling novel blends quantum physics, global espionage, and profound spiritual questions as a cryptologist races to decode Einstein's secret manuscript supposedly proving God's existence. Perfect for expanding your English vocabulary while contemplating the intersection of science and faith.

Discover the hidden epidemic of pointless work in this episode of “Learning English with Human Beans.”

We unpack David Graeber’s theory of “bullshit jobs,” examine five key categories-from flunkies to taskmasters-and explore the surprising mental-health costs of meaningless tasks. Improve your English vocabulary as you rethink what makes work truly valuable.

References:

- Graeber, D. (2013). “On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs.” *Strike!* essay introducing the concept and collecting hundreds of worker testimonials.

- Graeber, D. (2018). *Bullshit Jobs: A Theory*. Simon & Schuster. Expands the 2013 essay into a full, evidence-driven book identifying five types of pointless roles and their societal harm.

- Walo, S. (2023). “‘Bullshit’ After All? Why People Consider Their Jobs Socially Useless.” *Work, Employment & Society*. Provides the first quantitative backing for Graeber’s claim using American Working Conditions Survey data.

- European Working Conditions Survey (2015). Core dataset analyzed by Walo (2023) and others to measure perceived job usefulness and its links to mental health.

- ETUI (2023). “‘Bullshit jobs’ and the search for meaning in work.” European Trade Union Institute report correlating feelings of job uselessness with higher rates of depression and anxiety.

- Siegrist, J. (1996). “Adverse health effects of high-effort/low-reward conditions.” *Journal of Occupational Health Psychology*. Lays out the Effort-Reward Imbalance model, showing how lack of meaningful reward at work harms psychological well-being.

- YouGov (2018). UK poll finding 37% of respondents believe their job does not contribute “meaningfully” to society, underscoring the widespread nature of perceived “bullshit jobs.”

Join us today for "Learning English with Human Beans" as we analyze Stefan Zweig's powerful novella "24 Hours in the Life of a Woman" with special guest Alice. Discover how a brief encounter can transform a lifetime while expanding your English vocabulary. A perfect blend of literary insight and language learning!

Ever wondered why you just can’t put your smartphone down, even when you know you should? In this episode of "Learning English with Human Beans," we uncover the hidden traps of social media and reveal how apps are designed to keep you hooked. Join us for a fascinating look at the psychology behind our digital habits—while picking up new English skills along the way!

References:

• Montag, C. & Hegelich, S. (2020).
  Understanding detrimental aspects of social media use: Will the real culprits please stand up.
  Frontiers in Sociology.

• Montag, C., et al. (2019).
  Addictive features of social media/messenger platforms and freemium games against the background of psychological and economic theories.
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

• Lachmann, B., et al. (2019).
  Who's addicted to the smartphone and/or the internet?
  Psychology of Popular Media Culture.

• Duke, É. & Montag, C. (2017).
  Smartphone addiction, daily interruptions and self-reported productivity.
  Addictive Behaviors Report.

• Montag, C., et al. (2015).
  Recorded behavior as a valuable resource for diagnostics in mobile phone addiction: Evidence from psychoinformatics.
  Behavioral Sciences (Basel).

• Mai, L. M., et al. (2015).
  "I know you've seen it!" Individual and social factors for users' chatting behavior on Facebook.
  Computers in Human Behavior.

• Sude, D., et al. (2019).
  [Étude sur l’exposition et la sélection de contenus en accord avec ses opinions politiques.]
  Ohio State University.

• Sherman, L. E., et al. (2016).
  The Power of the Like in Adolescence: Effects of Peer Influence on Neural and Behavioral Responses to Social Media.
  Psychological Science.

• Grinberg, N., et al. (2019).
  Fake news on Twitter during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
  Science, 363, 374-378.

• Qiu, X., et al. (2017).
  Limited individual attention and online virality of low-quality information.
  Nature Human Behaviour, 1, article 0132.

• Mønsted, B., et al. (2017).
  Evidence of complex contagion of information in social media: an experiment using Twitter bots.
  PLOS ONE, 12(9), e0184148.

• Robert, D., et al. (2018).
  Bad news has wings: dread risk mediates social amplification in risk communication.
  Risk Analysis, 38, 2193-2207.

• Yan, H. Y., et al. (2020).
  Asymmetrical perceptions of partisan political bots.
  New Media & Society.