The Why Factor

Asked to describe your grandparents, you may conjure fond childhood memories of trips to the park or going round for your favourite dinner after school. You may live just around the corner and see your grandparents daily or they might be a welcome voice on the phone, brightening your day from afar. Elaine Chong discovers just why it is that grandparents matter so much to us and she finds out what happens when grandparents step in to raise their grandchildren. In the township of Umlazi, near Durban in South Africa, she meets a group of grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren singlehandedly, after the children lost their parents in the Aids pandemic. She uncovers research showing grandmothers have played a vital role in the survival of their grandchildren for centuries, especially before modern medicine and support services existed. She hears the incredible story of an 11-year-old boy who is being raised by his grandparents and repays their devotion, by saving his grandad’s life. Have you ever stopped to consider why your grandparents hold such a dear place in your heart? Elaine hears evidence all those childhood visits, trips and gatherings play an important and lasting role in shaping our personalities. Presenter: Elaine Chong Producers: Ben Robinson, Nicola Dowling and Carl Johnston Editor: Andy Smith (Photo:Grandmother’s at the Community Centre, Umlazi, South Africa. Credit Nkosinathi Shange)

Infidelity is seen as the ultimate betrayal, and many relationships are brought down by it. Around the world most of us agree that it’s wrong for a married person to have an affair, but that doesn’t seem to stop us: why? The answer could lie in our DNA. In this week’s Why Factor, Phoebe Keane hears how research into the mating habits of prairie voles could shed light on the extra marital affairs of humans and explores how we make decisions in the heat of the moment. Guests: Professor Steven Phelps, University of Texas at Austin Assistant Professor Andrea Meltzer, Florida State University Professor Lucia O’Sullivan, University of New Brunswick Nicolle Zapien, Professor California Institute of Integral Studies, Psychotherapist, and Sex Therapist Presented and Produced by Phoebe Keane Editor: Richard Knight

It turns out that much of what we do – much of our behaviour – can be conducted at an unconscious level. That raises a profound question. What is the point of consciousness? What evolutionary advantage does consciousness bestow? We speak to psychologists and neuroscientists for the answer. And we ask a philosopher whether science can ever unravel the deep mysteries of consciousness. The programme is guaranteed to hurt your brain. Presenter and producer: David Edmonds Editor: Richard Knight (Photo: / Credit: Doorway to another world - stock photo. Getty Images)

Sleep, day-dreaming, meditation – these are all different states of awareness. In these states we are not really aware of what is going on around us. But even when humans are awake, we take in very little about our surroundings. So this week we speak to psychologists and neuroscientists to ask, why are we conscious of so little? Presenter and producer: David Edmonds Editor: Richard Knight (Photo: X-ray image of human head with lightning / Credit: Getty Images)

About half the population consider themselves to have a shy personality, but most of us feel shyness in certain situations. Although some people may display outward signs of shyness such as blushing and being tongue-tied, shyness isn’t always visible to others; a surprising number of extroverts and performers are shy. Edwina Pitman examines what it means to be shy and attitudes towards shyness. Professor Susie Scott, Professor of Sociology, University of Sussex Kristie Poole, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University Professor Joe Moran, Professor of English and cultural history at Liverpool John Moores University and author of Shrinking Violets, A Field Guide to Shyness Sylvie Guillem, Ballet Dancer Susan Cain, Author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Members of The London Shyness Social Group Professor Yiyuan Xu, Professor of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa Presented and produced by Edwina Pitman Editor: Richard Knight (Photo: Woman wearing paper bag. Credit: Stock Photo / Getty Images)