The Doc Analyzes Anything
The Doc Analyzes Anything Welcome to The Doc Analyzes Anything — the podcast where curiosity meets chaos (with a touch of credentials). Join Dr. Steve Sparks, BCBA-D, along with Kyle Steury (BCBA) and Brad Clements (actual veterinarian, occasional philosopher) as they take stabs at analyzing all kinds of human behavior — from the quirky to the downright confusing - using science and behavior analysis as their basis. Ever wonder why people clap when a plane lands? Or why your uncle insists on shouting during Zoom calls? We don’t have all the answers... but we’re happy to pretend we do. Powered by science. Driven by nonsense. Occasionally about cats. Disclaimer time: Remember, we’re here for curiosity and conversation, not clinical consultation. We break down behavior the best we can from a deterministic, science‑based perspective for education and, more importantly, entertainment purposes only. Nothing you hear should be taken as personal advice, diagnosis, or treatment — so relax, enjoy the analysis, and consult a qualified professional for any individual concerns. Subscribe, laugh, and learn something weird — because The Doc Analyzes Anything. Literally. Anything.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
One time only- drop culture! We talk its psychological implications on consumer behavior, the allure of limited releases, and the economics of contrived scarcity in marketing. The Doc analyzes historical examples of scarcity marketing, the influence of social media, and the value of dining experiences. Steve, Taylor and Kyle analyze how these factors contribute to consumer decisions and the emotional responses tied to purchasing behaviors.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Drop Culture02:55 The Psychology of Accountability and Productivity Apps05:41 New Year's Resolutions and Personal Goals08:34 Consumerism and Limited Release Culture11:18 The Thrill of Scarcity and Urgency14:36 Historical Context of Branding and Scarcity17:32 The Impact of Limited Editions on Consumer Behavior25:00 The Craze of Collectible Toys31:40 Scarcity and Demand in Consumer Culture38:01 The Value of Culinary Experiences46:47 The Allure of Unique Kitchen Tools48:18 Understanding the Pre-MAC Principle54:56 The Psychology of Limited Edition Products59:14 The Evolution of Shopping Experiences01:07:53 The Art of Buying and Returning
👇 Connect with us:📸 Instagram: / thedocanalyzesanything 📧 Email: thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com

Friday Jan 02, 2026
Friday Jan 02, 2026
We’re talking human behavior, communication, war, politics, and why violence keeps showing up in human history even when it makes absolutely no sense. From how language shapes the way we think and react, to how power, reinforcement, and political incentives keep conflict alive, we try to unpack what’s really driving it all.This conversation bounces between psychology, history, and modern global conflict — not from a “here’s the answer” place, but from a why do humans keep doing this? place.Along the way, we talk about:How communication and language shape behavior and social normsWhy war is usually less about ideology and more about power and politicsThe role reinforcement plays in violence and conflictHow historical events still influence modern warfareThe ripple effects of war beyond the battlefieldWhy global cooperation matters if we actually want a more peaceful futureWe also spend time questioning whether war is inevitable—or if we’re just really bad at reinforcing alternatives that don’t involve destruction.If you’re into psychology, behavior analysis, history, politics, or just thinking critically about why humans do what they do, this one’s for you.
👇 Connect with us:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedocanalyzesanything/📧 Email: thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com

Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Happy Holidays! We talk all the holiday stuff—how different cultures see Santa, favorite Christmas movies, weird and fun traditions, festive foods, and even creepy myths like Krampus and how they influence behavior. We bounce around to Christmas traditions from all over the world, mixing in random personal stories and stuff we find interesting. It goes from why some people put spider ornaments on their trees, to the Icelandic Yule Lads, to that wild Catalonian pooping log. Mostly it’s just us joking around about food, family traditions, and all the strange (and awesome) ways people celebrate the holidays, and appreciating how different and fun it all is.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Holiday Traditions
02:43 Cultural Perspectives on Santa Claus
04:38 Personal Holiday Experiences and Family Traditions
08:51 Favorite Holiday Movies
15:06 Unique Holiday Celebrations and Customs
20:47 Festive Traditions and Holiday Favorites
24:08 Cultural Significance of Holiday Foods
27:05 The Role of Myths in Holiday Behavior
29:07 Unique Holiday Customs Around the World
36:21 Family Traditions and Their Origins
42:12 The Evolution of Holiday Legends
43:52 Cultural Christmas Traditions
46:47 Unique Holiday Experiences Around the World
48:16 The Pooping Log: A Catalonian Christmas Tradition
51:07 Yule Lads and the Yule Cat: Icelandic Christmas Folklore
53:05 First Footing: Scottish New Year Customs
55:31 Czech Christmas Shoe Tradition
58:21 Guatemalan New Year Rituals
01:03:16 Reflections on Holiday Celebrations

Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Taylor joins for a battle royale! In this episode, we explore various aspects of human behavior focusing on gender roles and stereotypes in household dynamics, cooking, etc.The challenges women face in professional settings due to gender biases is also touched on, and Steve defends his love of the Air Force One sneaker (or tennis shoe, or shoe...).
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Human Behavior Analysis
03:00 Taylor Welcomed to the show!
05:43 Finding Things in the Refrigerator: A Common Struggle
11:53 Cooking Dynamics: Gender Roles in the Kitchen
17:42 Grilling vs. Cooking
23:41 Cultural Influences on Cooking and Gender Roles
31:11 Cooking with Kids: A Family Affair
33:09 The Man Flu
34:44 Gender Roles in Parenting and Work
39:33 Cultural Perspectives on Illness and Caregiving
48:27 Household Chores
55:02 Footwear and Functionality
56:03 Fashion Trends and Generational Differences
59:15 Comfort vs. Style in Everyday Wear
01:01:47 Sustainable Fashion Choices and Personal Style
01:07:43 Food Preferences and Picky Eating Habits
01:10:30 Future Conversations

Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Sparks explores the complexities of addiction, discussing its definitions, the differences between physical and mental addiction, and the role of environment, culture and learning history in shaping addictive behaviors. We talk various forms of addiction, including substance abuse, gambling, and sex addiction, while also examining the impact of technology on modern addiction. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding addiction as a behavioral phenomenon rather than solely a medical diagnosis, emphasizing the need for a nuanced perspective on the topic.
For questions, topics, and comments, email us at thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com!

Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Summary
Dr. Sparks and the crew take an all-over-the-place dive into human behavior and perspective taking. We cover everything from why naming your cookies before eating them feels a bit sadistic, to how we all see colors a little differently, to the way our learning history shapes the way we look at the world. We also get into selective attention, brand loyalty, food preferences, and why some snacks just feel better than others. On top of that, we chat about consumer habits, sustainability, the power of marketing, and how empathy and compassion actually show up in everyday life.
Chapters
00:00 The Cheating Game: Naming Cookies
02:47 Perspective Taking: Understanding Different Views
05:32 The Color Debate: Blue vs. Green
08:29 Selective Attention: What We Notice
11:20 The Importance of Names: Attention Grabbers
14:17 The Flashed Face Distortion Effect
17:03 The Blue and Black Dress Phenomenon
20:00 Understanding Behavior: The Jerky Neighbor
23:04 Food Shapes and Perception
26:01 Conclusion: The Power of Perspective
28:00 Delayed Discounting and Consumer Behavior
30:55 The Impact of Learning History on Taste
35:49 Brand Perception and Product Experience
40:08 Sustainability in Consumer Choices
45:28 Cultural Perspectives on Food and Consumption
49:47 The Snow Cone Syndicate
51:15 Dungeons & Dragons: A New Perspective
55:04 Exploring Empathy and Sympathy
01:00:19 Art, Music, and Cultural Shifts
01:06:15 Understanding Empathy: Biological or Learned?
01:12:03 Final Thoughts and Holiday Reflections

Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Keywords
parasocial relationships, intimacy, media celebrity, fan dynamics, one-sided relationships
Summary
Dr. Sparks and crew look into the concept of parasocial relationships, explaining how fans develop a one-sided intimacy with media celebrities, feeling as if they know them personally despite the lack of reciprocal interaction.
Have a topic suggestion? Email us at thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com !

Friday Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
Join us in this thrilling episode of TDAA as we dive into the world of daredevils! From the legendary Evel Knievel to modern-day thrill-seekers, we explore the psychology and motivations behind these adrenaline-fueled feats. Discover the stories of those who risk it all for fame, fortune, and the ultimate rush. Whether it's jumping over buses or walking tightropes, this episode is packed with daring tales and insightful analysis. Don't miss out on the action! #behavioranalysis #Daredevils #ThrillSeekers #AdrenalineRush

Friday Nov 14, 2025
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Keywords
motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, psychology, behavior, evolution, learning
Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Sparks discusses the complexities of motivation, challenging the common belief that intrinsic motivation is superior to extrinsic motivation. He argues that intrinsic motivation is essentially an evolved form of extrinsic motivation, prompting a reevaluation of how we understand these concepts in psychology and behavior.

Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
What's in a name? The Doc and Co. explore the psychology behind naming, discussing its impact on identity, relationships, and emotional connections. We talk about how cultural context shapes our perceptions of names, the evolution of naming from pets to inanimate objects, and the role of superstitions in naming behaviors.
Have something interesting you'd like us to analyze? Email thedocanalyzesanything@gmail.com





