Episode 4
This is Episode Four of PsychCrunch , the podcast from the British Psychological Society's Research Digest. In this festive episode we explore whether psychology can help us with gift giving .
Our presenter Christian Jarrett and his guests discuss the benefits of giving "giver-centric" gifts; how recipients like to receive gifts on their wish lists; why ethical or pro-social gifts are sometimes not so warmly received; and the two words that can salvage that awkward situation when a gift doesn't go down too well.
Our guests in order of appearance are Lisa Cavanaugh USC Marshall School of Business, Lara Aknin of Simon Fraser University, and Alex Fradera , contributing writer to the BPS Research Digest blog.
The studies discussed in this episode, in order of appearance, are:
Give a piece of you: Gifts that reflect givers promote closeness
Give them what they want: The benefits of explicitness in gift exchange
When doing good is bad in gift giving: Mis-predicting appreciation of socially responsible gifts
Episode credits : Presenter/editor/producer Dr Christian Jarrett. Vox pops Ella Rhodes. Music and mixing Dr Catherine Loveday and Jeff Knowler. Jingle Bells vocals Joe Loveday. Art work Tim Grimshaw.