Psychology on the box…Week beginning 25th October

There is the usual smattering of forensic programmes on this week but perhaps the programme that stands out this week to watch is about starlings...yes, really. Autumnwatch is on this week, from Tuesday to Friday, 8pm, BBC2. At first glance it may be difficult to see why this is related to psychology in any way, but it actually is....

The numbers of starlings in the UK has diminished and continues to do so, at an alarming rate. Combine that fact with the statistic that 50 million prescriptions were given out by doctors for anti depressants last year and you get the argument that the drug statistic has prompted the starling population statistic.

The argument is that bi products of the anti depressants are excreted into sewage. Worms then ingest the bi products and the starlings eat the worms. This was tested for the programme and they found that the eating behaviours of the birds changed following consumption of worms who carried traces of anti depressent bi products. It was also noted that their libido declined. It is therefore possible that the pharmacological effects of the drugs, even though small, are sufficient to upset the ecosystem.

Admittedly this is not on any of the specifications, but if you are interested in wildlife and / or you have students who are too then refer them to this programme. It'll enrich their awareness of how psychology is relevant in many aspects of their environment.