Why Do We Do That?

Welcome to Why Do We Do That? Series 2

Ella Al-Shamahi investigates the origins of everyday human habits and behaviour.

23 Jan 2025,·2 mins

1. Why do we gossip?

Join anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi as she delves into the origins of gossip.

24 Jan 2025,·14 mins

More... Gossip with Nicole Hagen Hess

Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Gossip with Nicole Hagen Hess.

24 Jan 2025,·15 mins

2. Why do I get so upset when my team loses?

Join anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi to find out why we get so upset when our team loses.

31 Jan 2025,·15 mins

More... Football fanatics with Martha Newson

Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries with Martha Newson.

31 Jan 2025,·13 mins

3. Why do we have grandmas?

Join anthropologist Ella Al Shamahi to find out why grandmothers are so important.

31 Jan 2025,·15 mins

More... Grandmothers with Emily Emmott

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More... Grandmothers with Emily Emmott.

31 Jan 2025,·19 mins

4. Why do we love dogs?

Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we love dogs?

31 Jan 2025,·15 mins

More... Dogs with Greger Larson

BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Dogs with Greger Larson.

31 Jan 2025,·19 mins

5. Why do we laugh?

Ella Al-Shamahi investigates why we laugh?

31 Jan 2025,·15 mins

More... Laughs with Sophie Scott

BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Laughs with Sophie Scott.

31 Jan 2025,·16 mins

6. Why do we lie?

Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we lie?

29 Jan 2025,·15 mins

More... Lies with Roman Stengelin

BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Lies with Roman Stengelin.

03 Feb 2025,·16 mins

7. Why do we blush?

Join paleoanthropologist Ella Al Shamahi to find out why we blush.

07 Mar 2025,·15 mins

More... Blushing with Laith Al-Shawaf

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More Blushing with Laith Al-Shawaf.

28 Feb 2025,·18 mins

8. Why does nature make me feel calmer?

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks why being in nature makes us feel calmer?

07 Mar 2025,·15 mins

More... Nature with Gregory Bratman

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More Nature with Gregory Bratman.

28 Feb 2025,·15 mins

More... Pubs with Robin Dunbar

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More Pubs with Robin Dunbar.

28 Feb 2025,·14 mins

10. Why do we dance?

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks, why do we dance?

07 Mar 2025,·14 mins

More... Dancing with Bronwyn Tarr

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More Dancing with Bronwyn Tarr.

28 Feb 2025,·15 mins

11. Why do we fall for the bad boy?

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we like bad boys?

07 Mar 2025,·14 mins

9. Why do we go to the pub?

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks: Why do we go to the pub?

07 Mar 2025,·15 mins

More... Bad Boys with Julia Stern

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More Bad Boys with Julia Stern.

28 Feb 2025,·16 mins

12. Why do we play?

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do humans play?

07 Mar 2025,·14 mins

More... Play with Brenna Hassett

BONUS: Ella explores evolutionary mysteries in More Play with Brenna Hassett.

28 Feb 2025,·14 mins

Welcome to Why Do We Do That?

Introducing Why Do We Do That? An anthropologist's guide to the modern world.

25 Oct 2022,·1 min

1. Why Is Heartbreak So Painful?

Is the pain of a broken heart much more than a romantic trope?

28 Oct 2022,·14 mins

2. Why do we do things that are bad for Us?

Ella investigates a possible reason behind the common drive to put our lives at risk.

28 Oct 2022,·14 mins

3. Why do we kiss?

The kiss - an exchange of 18 million bacteria or a romantic evolutionary hand-me-down?

28 Oct 2022,·14 mins

4. Why do we procrastinate?

Can we blame procrastination on our evolution?

28 Oct 2022,·14 mins