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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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. […]

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.

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.

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 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 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 […]

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.

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 […]