logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
1h 14m

572. Why Is There So Much Fraud in Acade...

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode

Some of the biggest names in behavioral science stand accused of faking their results. Last year, an astonishing 10,000 research papers were retracted. We talk to whistleblowers, reformers, and a co-author who got caught up in the chaos. (Part 1 of 2)

 

  • SOURCES:
    • Max Bazerman, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.
    • Leif Nelson, professor of business administration at the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business.
    • Brian Nosek, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and executive director at the Center for Open Science.
    • Joseph Simmons, professor of applied statistics and operations, information, and decisions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
    • Uri Simonsohn, professor of behavioral science at Esade Business School.
    • Simine Vazire, professor of psychology at the University of Melbourne and editor-in-chief of Psychological Science.

 

 

Up next
Aug 22
What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life? (Update)
In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and why Moby-Dick is still worth reading. (Part 3 of "Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.") SOURCES:Michele Baggio, professor of economics at the University of Connecticut.Mary K. Bercaw-E ... Show More
48m 11s
Aug 15
Why Do People Still Hunt Whales? (Update)
For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat was also on a few menus. But today, demand for whale products is at a historic low. And yet some countries still have a whaling industry. We find out why. ... Show More
37m 32s
Aug 8
The First Great American Industry (Update)
Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to dominate the whale market? Why did whale hunting die out here — and continue to grow elsewhere? And is that whale vomit in your perfume? (Part 1 of “Everything You Ne ... Show More
45m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?
What do the most creative people have in common?  How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES:Max Bennett, co-founder and C.E.O. of Alby.David Epstein, author and journalist.Ayelet Fi ... Show More
40m 24s
Mar 2024
188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s?
Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”? SOURCES:Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney’s Office.Bob Ladouceur, former head football coach at De La Sa ... Show More
41m 41s
Dec 2023
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University.John Bargh, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale Univer ... Show More
36m 30s
Mar 2024
186. Do You Need a Routine?
Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do?  SOURCES:David Brooks, opinion columnist for The New York Times.Colin Camerer, professor of economics at the California Institute o ... Show More
38m 34s
May 2024
195. Can You Be Too Nice?
Where is the line between a good guy and a doormat? Do people with sharp elbows make more money? And why did Angela’s mother give away her birthday present?Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES:Kristen Bell, actor.Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman ... Show More
38m 48s
Jun 2024
201. Are You Dreaming Too Big?
Are fantasies helpful or harmful? How is daydreaming like a drug? And what did Angela fantasize about during ninth-grade English class? SOURCES:Patrick Bet-David, YouTuber and founding C.E.O. of PHP Agency Inc.Barbara Corcoran, "Shark" and executive producer on ABC’s Shark Tank a ... Show More
41m 44s
Feb 2024
184. Are You Doing Too Much?
How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem? SOURCES:Kristin Andrus, philanthropist.Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.Thomas Curran, professo ... Show More
40m 51s
Dec 2023
175. Why Is Astrology So Popular?
Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini? SOURCES:P. T. Barnum, 19th-century American showman and businessman.David Brooks, New York Times Opinion columnist.Bertram Forer, 20th- ... Show More
37m 32s
Nov 2023
119. Higher Education Is Broken. Can It Be Fixed?
Economist Michael D. Smith says universities are scrambling to protect a status quo that deserves to die. He tells Steve why the current system is unsustainable, and what’s at stake if nothing changes. RESOURCES:The Abundant University: Remaking Higher Education for a Digital Wor ... Show More
47m 10s
Dec 2023
173. How Important Is Your Choice of Words?
What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”?  And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person? SOURCES:John Bargh, professor of psychology at Yale University.Derren Brown, mentalist.Carol Dweck, profe ... Show More
35m 28s