PsychTalks

“No hat, no play” has become synonymous with Australian childhoods. We’re very aware of the risk of sun damage – and were one of the first countries to ban sunbeds – so why is suntanning suddenly having a resurgence in popularity?   Dr Anna Nicholson and Emma Glassenbury explain how social norms shape attitudes towards tanning and sun safety. Drawing on research with young Australians, they discuss social media, influencers, changing beauty trends and the challenges of public health messaging in a digital world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before you’re even born, your parents’ health is already shaping your future wellbeing. Welcome to the world of epigenetics: where environmental factors – stress, diet and infection – leave molecular marks on genes, altering their expression across generations.   Professor Anthony Hannan from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health shares how a father’s health can impact offspring development, why our hunter-gatherer brains struggle with modern life and how precision medicine could transform future healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many children are struggling to attend school, but what if we've been getting the story wrong? In this episode of PsychTalks, Associate Professor Sarah Knight and Natasha Staheli explore how children's distress is often mistaken for misbehaviour and why terms like "school refusal" can fail to capture the reality of many children's actual experiences, especially the role of neurodivergence and impact of masking. Together, they look at what parents and educators can do to better support children so they feel safe, understood and ready to learn.  Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever looked directly at a motorcyclist while driving – yet completely failed to see them – you’re not alone. The phenomenon is so common, riders refer to it as a “smidsy” (or, “sorry mate, I didn’t see you”.) Professor Kristen Pammer and Dr Angus McKerral discuss the cognitive demands of driving; explaining how inattentional blindness can render a motorcyclist invisible and exploring the promises and pitfalls of self-driving cars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Cycle syncing’ has exploded online, promoting the idea that women can optimise their wellbeing by planning everything from workouts to work commitments around their menstrual cycles. But what does the science actually say? Dr Lindsie Arthur cuts through the pop psychology hype and discusses the current research around hormones, behaviour and performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alcohol is a normal part of life for many Australians. But why do some people develop problems with drinking while others don't?  Dr Antoinette Poulton unpacks the link between impulsivity and hazardous drinking, and explains why our decisions around alcohol are shaped by much more than willpower.  From personalised feedback to smartphone-based interventions, we explore how researchers are finding new ways to help people better understand their drinking and make lasting changes.  Relevant links: Learn more about Antoinette's research: She is currently recruiting for a study charting cannabis use form and method in Australia, to assist with future app development: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/gnf2  For other current projects: https://hesterlab.org/projects  If you have concerns about your own or someone else's drinking, you call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 or visit Daybreak at hellosundaymorning.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online sports betting is now part of everyday life in Australia. But how do betting apps actually work, and why are they so hard to ignore?  In this episode, Dr Daniel Bennett explores the psychology behind modern betting products, and how they are designed to keep people hooked. He explains how features like in-play betting, cash-out options and constant advertising shape our behaviour – often in ways we don't notice. Dr Bennett also discusses the risks of gambling, including who is most affected and why, and what can be done to reduce harm.  Related links:  A Better Bet: How Australia Should Prevent Gambling Harm (2024 report by the Grattan Institute) The 4 Corners report about the NT Racing and Wagering Commission. If you or anyone you know needs support or help for gambling, please contact Gambling Help Online (or on 1800 858 858). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We like to think we’re fair. But what if our minds and our machines don’t always agree? In this special bonus episode of PsychTalks, hosts Professor Nick Haslam and Associate Professor Cassie Hayward are joined by Professor Mahzarin Banaji (Harvard University), one of the world’s leading researchers on implicit bias. Drawing on decades of research across psychology, neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Professor Banaji explains how bias can shape judgments and decisions without our awareness – even when we genuinely value fairness and accuracy. She explores how these hidden processes affect everyday life, social institutions and the technologies we are increasingly relying on. Recorded during Professor Banaji’s visit to the University of Melbourne as a Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow, this conversation asks what it really means to take responsibility for bias and how a clearer understanding of the human mind might help us build a more just and accountable world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We said the season was over – but when the chance to sit down with Professor Alison Gopnik comes along, you make an exception. In this bonus episode, we’re delighted to welcome one of the world’s most influential developmental psychologists for an extended conversation on how our minds grow and change over the lifespan. Drawing on her work on children as “little scientists,” the explore–exploit dilemma and her gardener-versus-carpenter model of parenting, Alison reflects on why play, risk and exploration matter so much in childhood. We also explore caregiving as a form of intelligence – one that becomes increasingly important in later life – and what elders, grandparents and even orcas can teach us about care, culture and human flourishing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled imagery? Associate Professor Helen Dixon and Jane Martin unpack the psychology, policy and packaging that influence what ends up in our shopping trolleys. They highlight the subtle strategies used to market commercial infant and toddler foods, and discuss what can be done to support parents in making informed choices. Kids are Sweet Enough (Food for Health Alliance) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.