Seven Deadly Psychologies

Envy is in the spotlight today. On one hand, it indicates what it is you want, and it motivates you to go out there and get it. On the other hand, it can be a corrosive feeling of yearning that eats you up from the inside. And at its ugliest, it can drive you to seek the destruction of others...

How can we listen to our feelings of envy, without being riddled with resentment? And how can we make peace with that restless, nagging feeling that the grass is always greener?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychotherapist and author of 'Coping with Envy', Professor Windy Dryden, from the Department of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths University, author and scholar Professor Ilan Kapoor, from the Department of Critical Development Studies at York University in Toronto, and clinical psychologist, poet, writer and educator, Dr Sanah Ahsan.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Today: envy.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Next up: envy. Can we want what others have without being riddled with resentment?

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins, in the order established by Pope Gregory the Great: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and lazy old sloth. Why have we evolved these ugly emotions? What's going on in the brain and the body when we feel them? And how best can we live alongside them - in ourselves and with others?

Envy is in the spotlight today. On one hand, it indicates what it is you want, and it motivates you to go out there and get it. On the other hand, it can be a corrosive feeling of yearning that eats you up from the inside. And at its ugliest, it can drive you to seek the destruction of others...

How can we listen to our feelings of envy, without being riddled with resentment? And how can we make peace with that restless, nagging feeling that the grass is always greener?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychotherapist and author of 'Coping with Envy', Professor Windy Dryden, from the Department of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths University, author and scholar Professor Ilan Kapoor, from the Department of Critical Development Studies at York University in Toronto, and clinical psychologist, poet, writer and educator, Dr Sanah Ahsan.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Today: envy.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Next up: envy. Can we want what others have without being riddled with resentment?

Gluttony is on the menu today. On one hand, the odd bit of indulgence isn't such a bad thing. Eat, drink, and be merry. But sometimes we overdo it. We crave, we binge, we short circuit our dopamine reward systems, and before we know it, we can't stop.

But why do we crave? Can we control our cravings? And when does a little bit of binging become too much?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, food writer Mark Schatzker, author of 'Steak', 'The Dorito Effect' and 'The End of Craving', Dr Andrew Moynihan from the Department of Psychology at the University of Limerick, and writer AK Blakemore, author of 'The Glutton'.

Producer: Becky Ripley

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Today: gluttony.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Gluttony is on the menu today. Why do we crave what we crave?

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins, in the order established by Pope Gregory the Great: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and lazy old sloth. Why have we evolved these ugly emotions? What's going on in the brain and the body when we feel them? And how best can we live alongside them - in ourselves and with others?

Gluttony is on the menu today. On one hand, the odd bit of indulgence isn't such a bad thing. Eat, drink, and be merry. But sometimes we overdo it. We crave, we binge, we short circuit our dopamine reward systems, and before we know it, we can't stop.

But why do we crave? Can we control our cravings? And when does a little bit of binging become too much?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, food writer Mark Schatzker, author of 'Steak', 'The Dorito Effect' and 'The End of Craving', Dr Andrew Moynihan from the Department of Psychology at the University of Limerick, and writer AK Blakemore, author of 'The Glutton'.

Producer: Becky Ripley

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Today: gluttony.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Gluttony is on the menu today. Why do we crave what we crave?

Greed is in the spotlight today. And we're not talking food. (That's gluttony, we come to that later in the series.) We're talking greed for money, for land, for material things – and ultimately for control, status, dominance, power. The kind of greed that separates the 'haves' from the 'have nots'.

On one hand, greed is a great motivator, driving us all forward in our pursuit to get more of whatever it is we want. But at its ugliest, greed can come at a huge cost to other people, and to the planet. When does self-interested behaviour become selfish? And can we be greedy for the good?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychologist and social scientist Professor Paul Piff from the Department of Psychological Science at the University of California, Executive Director of the New Economy Organisers Network, Ayeisha Thomas-Smith, and a few wise words from Sir David Attenborough.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today, it's greed.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today, it's greed. When does self-interested behaviour become selfish?

Lust is today's hot topic. It's crucial to the continuation of our species, but it's also a form of neurochemical madness that can lead us astray. We all have wildly different brains, bodies, and cultural references, so everyone's relationship to lust is highly personal. Is it true that men want it more than women? When was the 'lustiest' time in history? And, back in today's world, how can we navigate our drives alongside cultural expectations and the issue of consent? And how can we feel desire without shame?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, sexologist with a specialty in men's health and sexual function, Dr Anand Patel, and sex historian Dr Kate Lister, lecturer at Leeds Trinity University and author of 'A Curious History of Sex'.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven sins. Today's hot topic: lust.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today's hot topic is lust. How best can we live alongside our drives and desires?

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins, in the order established by Pope Gregory the Great: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and lazy old sloth. Why have we evolved these ugly emotions? What's going on in the brain and the body when we feel them? And how best can we live alongside them - in ourselves and with others?

Lust is today's hot topic. It's crucial to the continuation of our species, but it's also a form of neurochemical madness that can lead us astray. We all have wildly different brains, bodies, and cultural references, so everyone's relationship to lust is highly personal. Is it true that men want it more than women? When was the 'lustiest' time in history? And, back in today's world, how can we navigate our drives alongside cultural expectations and the issue of consent? And how can we feel desire without shame?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, sexologist with a specialty in men's health and sexual function, Dr Anand Patel, and sex historian Dr Kate Lister, lecturer at Leeds Trinity University and author of 'A Curious History of Sex'.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven sins. Today's hot topic: lust.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today's hot topic is lust. How best can we live alongside our drives and desires?

Wrath is today's hot topic, and things can get pretty ugly when our blood starts to boil. Some of us are quick to flip, some of us brood, and some of us push down our anger. But ultimately anger is a motivator; a driver for change in the face of a perceived injustice. The question is, how are you going to act on it? For bad? Or for good?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychology professor Dr Ryan Martin (aka 'The Anger Professor'), multidisciplinary artist and former Children's Laureate of Wales, Connor Allen, and Jake Hall from the Destroy'd Rage Rooms.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven sins. Brace yourself for wrath.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today's hot topic is wrath.

Pride - also known as the 'original sin' - is now a bit of a double-edged word. The good side is motivating and self-affirming: to be proud of your work, your kids, or your identity. But then there's the ugly side of pride: thinking you're better than others. Arrogance, narcissism, an inflated sense of superiority. How can we have one without the other? Confidence without arrogance? Self-worth without self-aggrandisement?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Ian Robertson from the Department of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin, self-aware narcissist and motivational speaker Lee Hammock, Professor Jessica Tracy from the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and a parade of people at a Pride march.

Producer: Becky Ripley

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. First up: pride.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Starting with pride. How can we have confidence without veering into arrogance?

Greed is in the spotlight today. And we're not talking food. (That's gluttony, we come to that later in the series.) We're talking greed for money, for land, for material things – and ultimately for control, status, dominance, power. The kind of greed that separates the 'haves' from the 'have nots'.

On one hand, greed is a great motivator, driving us all forward in our pursuit to get more of whatever it is we want. But at its ugliest, greed can come at a huge cost to other people, and to the planet. When does self-interested behaviour become selfish? And can we be greedy for the good?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychologist and social scientist Professor Paul Piff from the Department of Psychological Science at the University of California, Executive Director of the New Economy Organisers Network, Ayeisha Thomas-Smith, and a few wise words from Sir David Attenborough.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today, it's greed.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today, it's greed. When does self-interested behaviour become selfish?

Lust is today's hot topic. It's crucial to the continuation of our species, but it's also a form of neurochemical madness that can lead us astray. We all have wildly different brains, bodies, and cultural references, so everyone's relationship to lust is highly personal. Is it true that men want it more than women? When was the 'lustiest' time in history? And, back in today's world, how can we navigate our drives alongside cultural expectations and the issue of consent? And how can we feel desire without shame?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, sexologist with a specialty in men's health and sexual function, Dr Anand Patel, and sex historian Dr Kate Lister, lecturer at Leeds Trinity University and author of 'A Curious History of Sex'.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven sins. Today's hot topic: lust.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today's hot topic is lust. How best can we live alongside our drives and desires?

Envy is in the spotlight today. On one hand, it indicates what it is you want, and it motivates you to go out there and get it. On the other hand, it can be a corrosive feeling of yearning that eats you up from the inside. And at its ugliest, it can drive you to seek the destruction of others...

How can we listen to our feelings of envy, without being riddled with resentment? And how can we make peace with that restless, nagging feeling that the grass is always greener?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychotherapist and author of 'Coping with Envy', Professor Windy Dryden, from the Department of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths University, author and scholar Professor Ilan Kapoor, from the Department of Critical Development Studies at York University in Toronto, and clinical psychologist, poet, writer and educator, Dr Sanah Ahsan.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Today: envy.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Next up: envy. Can we want what others have without being riddled with resentment?

Gluttony is on the menu today. On one hand, the odd bit of indulgence isn't such a bad thing. Eat, drink, and be merry. But sometimes we overdo it. We crave, we binge, we short circuit our dopamine reward systems, and before we know it, we can't stop.

But why do we crave? Can we control our cravings? And when does a little bit of binging become too much?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, food writer Mark Schatzker, author of 'Steak', 'The Dorito Effect' and 'The End of Craving', Dr Andrew Moynihan from the Department of Psychology at the University of Limerick, and writer AK Blakemore, author of 'The Glutton'.

Producer: Becky Ripley

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Today: gluttony.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. Gluttony is on the menu today. Why do we crave what we crave?

Wrath is today's hot topic, and things can get pretty ugly when our blood starts to boil. Some of us are quick to flip, some of us brood, and some of us push down our anger. But ultimately anger is a motivator; a driver for change in the face of a perceived injustice. The question is, how are you going to act on it? For bad? Or for good?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, psychology professor Dr Ryan Martin (aka 'The Anger Professor'), multidisciplinary artist and former Children's Laureate of Wales, Connor Allen, and Jake Hall from the Destroy'd Rage Rooms.

Producer: Becky Ripley

A cold hard look at the psychology of the seven sins. Brace yourself for wrath.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today's hot topic is wrath.

The science and psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins, in the order established by Pope Gregory the Great: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Why have we evolved these emotions? What's going on in the brain and the body when we feel them? And how best can we live alongside them - in ourselves and with others?

Sloth is, unsurprisingly, the final sin of the series. Lethargic, languid, lazy old sloth. Such sluggishness is often caused by a lack of dopamine, the neurochemical that helps drive motivation and movement. And it's not always a bad thing. Our brains and bodies need rest in order to recharge, perhaps especially in today's world of hyper-productivity and stimulation. But too much sloth, and you can get stuck in a downward spiral of apathy or depression. How best can we get ourselves out of a slump? And how can we get the balance right between uptime and downtime?

To guide us through this mess is evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, geneticist and writer Dr Adam Rutherford from the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Ian Robertson from the Department of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin, author and human rights activist Yasmin Khan, and some parting words of wisdom from Katherine May's memoir 'Wintering', read by Tyler Cameron.

Producer: Becky Ripley

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward delve into the psychology of the seven sins. Last up: sloth.

Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a cold hard look at the science and psychology of the seven deadly sins. And today, last but not least... it's sloth.