Two Psychologists Four Beers

Episode 122: When to Quit (with Paul Bloom)

11 snips
Aug 7, 2025
This week, Paul Bloom, a distinguished professor of psychology, takes the mic to delve into the tricky task of knowing when to abandon a theory. He and the hosts discuss their shifting beliefs and what psychological findings have proven robust through the test of time. The conversation takes a turn to the cultural implications of Sidney Sweeney’s ad campaign, questioning its relationship to beauty standards and eugenics. It's a blend of humor and serious reflection on psychological theories and societal norms!
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INSIGHT

Genes Talk Has Become Politically Charged

  • Paul Bloom notes talking about genes has become politically sinister for some progressives.
  • He warns heritability science is standard psychology and not synonymous with racism.
INSIGHT

Large Replication Found No Mortality Effect

  • Yoel Inbar reports a large multi-site replication of terror management showed no effect.
  • He argues this failure undermines many earlier, smaller terror-management findings.
ADVICE

Keep Theories, Until Strong Evidence Says No

  • Paul Bloom advises keeping theories active while rigorously testing them before abandoning them.
  • He recommends giving up only after sustained, high-quality evidence accumulates against a theory.
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