logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
1h 15m

Why Is There So Much Fraud in Academia? ...

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. In a series originally published in early 2024, 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
Oct 3
648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted
The N.F.L. is a powerful cartel with imperial desires. College football is about to undergo a financial reckoning. So maybe they should team up? (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES:DeMaurice Smith, former executive director of the National Football League Players Association ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 26
Is the U.S. Really Less Corrupt Than China? (Update)
In this episode we first published in 2021, the political scientist Yuen Yuen Ang argues that different forms of government create different styles of corruption — and that the U.S. and China have more in common than we’d like to admit. SOURCES:Yuen Yuen Ang, professor of politic ... Show More
57m 34s
Sep 19
647. China Is Run by Engineers. America Is Run by Lawyers.
In his new book “Breakneck,” Dan Wang argues that the U.S. has a lot to learn from China. He also says that “no two peoples are more alike.” We have questions. SOURCES:Dan Wang, research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, author of Breakneck: China's Quest t ... Show More
1h 1m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2
163. The Data Sleuth Taking on Shoddy Science
Uri Simonsohn is a behavioral science professor who wants to improve standards in his field — so he’s made a sideline of investigating fraudulent academic research. He tells Steve Levitt, who's spent plenty of time rooting out cheaters in other fields, how he does it. SOURCES:Uri ... Show More
56m 25s
Nov 2024
221. Why Are We So Pessimistic?
Are things really as bad as they seem? Has Gen Z given up hope for the world? And why was the father of positive psychology a lifelong pessimist? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University.David Brooks, author and opinion columnist. Andrew Grove, forme ... Show More
39m 8s
Oct 2024
217. What Happens When You Put on a Costume?
Would you steal Halloween candy? Should people be required to identify themselves online?  And why did Angela go trick-or-treating in a trash bag?  SOURCES:Hajo Adam, professor of management at the University of Bath.Marianna Cerini, journalist.Edward Diener, professor emeritus o ... Show More
40m 45s
Oct 2024
216. Why Do We Make Excuses?
Is it better to explain a mistake or just accept responsibility? What’s the difference between an excuse and a justification? And why is it important to remember that you’re not a pizzeria on the Jersey Shore?  SOURCES:Robert Cialdini, professor of psychology at Arizona State Uni ... Show More
37m 58s
Nov 2024
219. How Do You Identify a Narcissist?
What’s the difference between narcissism and high self-esteem? Does social media fuel arrogance or self-consciousness? And do people get less toxic with age?  SOURCES:Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor in management at the Universi ... Show More
40m 48s
Sep 2024
209. Why Do We Settle?
Why does the U.S. use Fahrenheit when Celsius is better? Would you quit your job if a coin flip told you to? And how do you get an entire country to drive on the other side of the road? SOURCES:Christian Crandall, professor of psychology at the University of Kansas.Stephen Dubner ... Show More
35m 2s
Sep 27
167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge.
Steven Pinker’s new book argues that all our relationships depend on shared assumptions and “recursive mentalizing” — our constant efforts to understand what other people are thinking. He and Steve talk about the psychology of eye contact, the particular value of Super Bowl ads, ... Show More
58m 45s
Apr 2025
546: Renowned Experts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Robert Biswas-Diener on Radical Listening
Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 546, an interview with the authors of Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection, Prof. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener. Most conversations barely scratch the surface, because true connection isn’t just about hearing w ... Show More
54m 31s
Aug 20
Dave Collum: Financial Crisis, Diddy, Energy Weapons, QAnon, and the Deep State’s Digital Evolution
There aren’t many Ivy League professors as bold as Dave Collum. It’s amazing he still has a job. (00:00) How Collum Predicted the 2008 Financial Crisis (11:00) Collum’s Mission to Uncover the Truth About Covid (19:36) Government Experiments Being Conducted on Foster Care Children ... Show More
2h 23m
Aug 19
Supplementary Material 35: Cult Leaders, Gurus, and Evil Economists
We face a disciplinary crisis as the twin pillars of Game Theory and Gurometry are called into question.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 35 minutes).Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurusSupplementary Material 3500:05 Introduction 01:52 ... Show More
29m 43s