Why Do We Make Lists?

From shopping lists to to-do lists – why do we make lists and what do they say about us?

• 16 mins

Vigilantes

Why do some people take the law into their own hands?

• 17 mins

Carrying Guns

In the countries where it’s legal, why do people choose to bear arms?

• 17 mins

Regret

Why do we feel regret – is it right to live with it, or should we get over our mistakes?

• 17 mins

Conspiracy Theory

The Why Factor asks why some people believe in conspiracy theories and whether it matters

• 17 mins

Cryonics

Why do some people choose to be frozen at death, hoping to be brought back to life?

• 17 mins

Torture

Does torture actually work, and can its use ever be justified?

• 17 mins

Hypochondria

What is hypochondria, and why don’t we take this misunderstood malaise more seriously?

• 17 mins

Smiling

Whether a toothy grin, a megawatt beam or a faint curve of the lips, why do we smile?

• 17 mins

Stammering

Why does this speech disorder cause so much shame amongst the millions affected by it?

• 17 mins

Listening

Why is listening different from hearing? And how can we develop that skill?

• 17 mins

Hands

Whether it is making or fixing something, why do we enjoy working with our hands?

• 17 mins

Why I’m Not Just Blind

Lee Kumutat asks why blind people must either be inspirational or deserving pity

• 17 mins

Yoga

Valley Fontaine asks why do we do yoga, and how has it become so popular?

• 17 mins

Why do Men Want Six Packs?

Why do men all over the world crave these six bumps on their stomach?

• 23 mins

Clapping

Becky Milligan uncovers the secrets of applause and how it can be used to infect us all.

• 23 mins

Underground

What lures people to delve deep beneath the earth, into the dark recesses underground?

• 23 mins

Why Words Matter

Lane Greene explains how the words we choose can tell us a great deal about ourselves.

• 23 mins

Short

Why do some short people lie about their height?

• 23 mins

Habits

Shiulie Ghosh explains why we are all creatures of habits.

• 23 mins

Goths

Why would anyone be a goth? What is the appeal of this dark and spooky subculture?

• 23 mins

Are you a numbers person?

Are you a numbers person? Timandra Harkness explains how we get intimidated by numbers.

• 23 mins

Thankless Tasks

Dotun Adebayo discovers why anyone does a job where lots of people hate you

• 23 mins

Why Do We Talk To Ourselves?

In this Why Factor, Matthew Sweet asks who are we talking to when we talk to ourselves

• 23 mins

Self-Harm

Why do some people cause physical pain to themselves as a way to manage their emotions?

• 23 mins

Exams

Are exams a fair judge of ability and understanding, or just a memory test?

• 23 mins

Returning Home

Why do foreign migrants yearn to go home and does returning make them happy if they do?

• 23 mins

Polygamy

Why would anyone share their husband or wife with another partner?

• 23 mins

The kiss

Why do humans kiss?

• 23 mins

Childlessness

Why do some people choose to remain childless?

• 23 mins