PsychCrunch · The British Psychological Society Research Digest

Episode Three

October 19, 2015·13 min·1 clip

Why does the host call Michael Jackson the greatest entertainer, while a psychologist sees him as a Peter Pan-like figure?

This episode of PsychCrunch explores whether psychological research can help people win arguments, from personal disputes to major geopolitical conflicts. Host Christian Jarrett is joined by Dr. Tom Stafford, a cognitive scientist from the University of Sheffield. The episode opens with Jarrett's failed attempt to convince Dr. John Sutton, editor of The Psychologist magazine, about Michael Jackson's artistic legacy during a meeting on October 1st. Dr. Sutton viewed Michael Jackson's appeal as rooted in androgyny and a Peter Pan-like innocence, suggesting it resonates with people whose development may feel stunted. The discussion then shifts to applying psychology to more significant arguments, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, described as a serious and long-running source of frustration. Research presented shows that explanations incorporating neuroscience, termed "NeuroBabble," are more persuasive than those from social sciences, hard sciences, or no explanation at all. A key insight is that neuroscience language holds a unique persuasive power, consistently outperforming other types of explanations in experiments. The episode contrasts a subjective debate over a pop icon's legacy with the desire for objective tools to resolve profound, intractable disputes. It highlights the personal motivation of a researcher living within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict who seeks psychological solutions. The conversation examines the psychological processes at play during Jarrett's own unsuccessful argument about Michael Jackson. It questions whether research can provide concrete techniques for changing someone's deeply held views on any topic. The tone is educational and conversational, blending personal anecdote with scientific findings. Listeners interested in persuasion, conflict resolution, and the practical application of psychological science will find this episode engaging. Those seeking entertainment or narrative storytelling without analytical discussion might choose to skip it.

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