Two Guys on Your Head

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August 18, 2016

I.Q. Tests (Rebroadcast)

By: Rebecca McInroy

We value brains. We hold test scores in high esteem. We spend money and hours on brain training games and ginseng. But what does intelligence really mean? How do we define and gauge actual smarts? Does a high IQ predict success?

In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the history and development of intelligence tests; as well as what these tests can actually tell us about one’s ability to achieve.

It turns out that intelligence can be a dangerous label when thinking about the ongoing, dynamic, interconnected process that is our brain. Once we label something as intelligent we ignore that a lot goes into how we create, solve problems and overcome obstacles.

So next time you’re tempted (or forced) to take an intelligence test, don’t stress, they don’t tell the whole story of what you’re capable of.


Episodes

February 6, 2026

Theory

 A theory serves as an analytical tool to explain “why” and “how” events occur, rather than just describing them. Yet, all too often, the way we use the idea of a theory obfuscates the real value of what a theory is: a structured, evidence-based explanation for natural or social phenomena, constructed using the scientific method […]

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January 30, 2026

Psychological Safety, Safety, and Trust

There is a difference between being safe and thinking you are safe, and the bridge between those two things is built on trust. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the difference between psychological safety and the psychology of safety and how […]

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January 23, 2026

Compensation

Compensation is about more than just a paycheck. It’s about feeling valued, secure, and supported, but we don’t always think about it that way. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of compensation.

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January 16, 2026

Desensitization

Why do things that once felt exciting, delicious, shocking, or even frightening start to feel… ordinary? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of desensitization and how motivation, memory, and context shape what we see, feel, and react to, often […]

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January 9, 2026

The Psychology of Healthy Ambition

Working toward goals can give our lives direction and meaning. But psychology shows that when we focus too narrowly on outcomes, we can undermine both our well-being and our performance. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the importance of staying mentally […]

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January 2, 2026

Early Specialization?

If your child shows exceptional talent early, it may be tempting to cultivate it immediately. However, an overload of lessons and practice may not be the most effective approach. This episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the perils of specializing early. Bloom, Benjamin […]

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December 26, 2025

Protecting Your Boredom (Re-broadcast)

Someone once said, “I like to do nothing if I can avoid doing something.” For many of us, doing nothing is surprisingly hard. It asks us to generate our own thoughts rather than constantly reacting to Instagram, email, and an ever-expanding stream of stimuli. But when we allow ourselves the space to be bored, to […]

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December 19, 2025

Stupidity

We often use the word stupidity to cover a wide range of mistakes. But on closer inspection, what makes something “stupid” may have less to do with what “stupid does” and more to do with what it ignores. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca […]

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