Have you ever believed that choosing a particular number, following a certain ritual, or making a specific move could change the outcome of something completely random?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the illusion of control — a psychological bias that makes us overestimate our ability to influence events that are actually governed by chance. We examine why humans instinctively search for patterns and control, even in situations where neither exists.

But why do we find it so difficult to accept that some things are simply out of our hands? Discover how the illusion of control shapes our decisions, influences our confidence and reveals our complicated relationship with uncertainty.

Studies and links:

The Illusion of Control | Ellen J. Langer | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1975, vol 32, no 2, 311-328 https://nuovoeutile.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Langer1975_IllusionofControl.pdf

Why do we think we have more control over the world than we do? | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/illusion-of-control

How reliable are your memories? And could you be remembering something that never actually happened?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Lost in the Mall Study — a fascinating experiment by psychologist Elizabeth Loftus investigating the malleability of human memory. The research raises some unsettling questions about how our recollections are formed, how easily they can be influenced, and whether we can always trust what we remember.

But if our memories aren’t as reliable as we think, what does that mean for the way we understand our own past? Discover why confidence doesn’t necessarily mean accuracy, and how the mind’s ability to reconstruct memories can blur the line between what really happened and what we believe happened.

Studies and links:

The Formation of False Memories | Elizabeth F. Loftus and Jacqueline Pickrell https://img3.reoveme.com/m/21e4113311781789.pdf

False Memory in Psychology | Simply Psychology https://www.simplypsychology.org/false-memory.html

Why do personality descriptions sometimes feel like they understand us better than we understand ourselves?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Barnum-Forer Effect — a psychological phenomenon that reveals just how easily we can be persuaded that general statements are uniquely tailored to us. From personality assessments to seemingly personal insights, we uncover why certain descriptions feel so accurate, even when they could apply to almost anyone.

But what makes us so willing to believe something simply because it feels personal? Discover how our expectations, self-perception, and desire to understand ourselves can influence what we accept as true — and why something feeling accurate doesn't necessarily make it so.

Studies and links:

Former Effect aslysz-diagnoza.home.amu.edu.pl/diagnoza/wyklad/Barnum_ForerEffect.pdf

Why do we believe our horoscopes? | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/barnum-effect

Why do we recognise how much we've changed in the past, yet struggle to imagine how much we'll change in the future?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the End of History Illusion — the psychological phenomenon that makes us believe we've reached a point of personal development where our values, preferences, and personalities are unlikely to change much further. We uncover why our current sense of identity feels so permanent, even when our own experiences prove otherwise.

But if we underestimate how much we'll change, how might that affect the decisions we make today? Discover how this illusion shapes our expectations, influences our future plans, and reveals why the person you are now might not be the person you become.

Studies and links:

The "end of history illusion" illusion | The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/end-history-illusion-illusion

The End of History Illusion | Jordi Quoidbach, Daniel T. Gilbert, Timothy D. Wilson https://dtg.sites.fas.harvard.edu/Quoidbach%20et%20al%202013.pdf

What do we really need to thrive — and is having our basic needs met enough?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Harry Harlow's controversial monkey experiments, which challenged conventional ideas about attachment, emotional comfort, and the role of physical needs in development. We examine what his research revealed about the importance of connection, while also confronting the ethical questions surrounding the treatment of the animals involved.

But if comfort and security are so fundamental to us, what else do we need to develop into healthy, well-adjusted individuals? Discover how attachment, social interaction, and learning shape our development — and why understanding human needs requires looking beyond survival alone.

Studies and links:

Revisiting Harry Harlow's Legacy: Cruelty Towards Monkeys | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-first-impression/201607/revisiting-harry-harlow-s-legacy-cruelty-towards-monkeys

Harry Harlow Monkey Experiments in Psychology | Simply Psychology https://www.simplypsychology.org/harlow-monkey.html

The Nature of Love | Harry Harlow https://users.sussex.ac.uk/~grahamh/RM1web/Classic%20papers/Harlow1958.pdf

Why do we remember some experiences as wonderful — or terrible — even when most of the time in between tells a different story?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Peak-End Rule — a psychological principle that suggests we often judge an experience by its most intense moment and how it ends, rather than by everything that happened. We look at how this pattern shapes the way we remember events and evaluate our experiences.

But if our memories give extra weight to just a few moments, how might that influence the choices we make in the future? Discover how the peak and ending of an experience can shape our overall impression — and why the way something finishes may matter more than we realise.

Studies and links:

When More Pain Is Preferred to Less: Adding a Better End | Daniel Kahneman and Barbara Fredrickson https://ibio-v2.s3.amazonaws.com/media/course/SYR/2020/when-more-pain-is-preferred-to-less--adding-a-better-end.pdf

How do our memories differ from our experiences? | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/peak-end-rule

Can something as simple as holding a warm cup of coffee change how we feel about another person?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Hot Coffee Experiment — research investigating the surprising connection between physical warmth and our social judgments. We look at how subtle sensations in our environment may influence the way we perceive others, often without us noticing.

But how much of what we feel about someone comes from the person themselves — and how much might be shaped by something as small as a temperature? Discover how physical sensations can influence our impressions, and what this reveals about the hidden factors behind our everyday judgments.

Studies and links:

Does Physical Warmth Prime Social Warmth? | John A. Bargh and David Melnikoff https://acmelab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/bargh_melnikoff_reply_to_chabris_et_al_2019.pdf

Hot Drinks Equal Warm Feelings, as Scientists Link Physical and Emotional Warmth | pbs.org

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/science-july-dec08-warmth_10-24

Why do we suddenly want something more when we’re told we might not be able to have it?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Scarcity Effect — the psychological tendency to place greater value on things that seem limited or difficult to obtain. From exclusive opportunities to products in short supply, we uncover how perceived scarcity can influence our desires and shape the decisions we make.

But does something become more valuable simply because it’s harder to get? Discover how scarcity can intensify our motivation, influence our judgments, and make us question whether we truly want something — or simply want what feels out of reach.

Studies and links:

How to Boost Desire Using the Psychology of Scarcity | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/automatic-you/201307/how-boost-desire-using-the-psychology-scarcity

Scarcity | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/anthropology/scarcity

Have you ever noticed yourself picking up the habits, expressions, or attitudes of the people around you?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Chameleon Effect — the tendency to unconsciously mirror the behaviour of others. We look at how the people we spend time with can influence the way we speak, act, and see the world, often without us even realising it.

But if we naturally become more like the people around us, how much does our environment shape who we become? Discover how social influence can quietly affect our behaviour — and why choosing the people we surround ourselves with may matter more than we think.

Studies and links:

The Chameleon Effect: The Perception-Behavior Link and Social Interaction | Tanya L. Chartrand and John A. Bargh | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1999, Vol 76, No.6, 893-910 https://acmelab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/1999_the_chameleon_effect.pdf

Chameleon Effect | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/chameleon-effect

Why can one small sign of disorder make an entire place feel like nobody cares?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Broken Windows Theory — the idea that visible signs of neglect can influence how people perceive and behave in their surroundings. We look at how small cues in an environment may shape our expectations, our sense of what’s acceptable, and the choices we make.

But how much does our environment influence the way we act — and can small changes create a wider shift in behaviour? Discover how the signals around us can shape our actions, and why seemingly minor details may have a bigger impact than we expect.

Studies and links:

Broken Windows Theory | Simply Psychology https://www.simplypsychology.org/broken-windows-theory.html

Broken Windows | James Q Wilson and George L Kelling https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/_atlantic_monthly-broken_windows.pdf

Experimental evidence for the Broken Windows Theory | international cognition & culture institute https://www.cognitionandculture.net/blogs/nicolas-claidires-blog/experimental-evidence-for-the-broken-window-theory/index.html

If something has happened several times in a row, do we start believing it’s bound to change?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Gambler’s Fallacy — the mistaken belief that past outcomes influence what will happen next in situations where each event is independent. We look at why random patterns can feel meaningful, and how our minds search for balance even when chance has no memory.

But when does spotting a pattern become believing in one that isn’t there? Discover how the Gambler’s Fallacy can distort our expectations, influence our decisions, and reveal why understanding probability is harder than it seems.

Studies and links:

The Gambler’s and Hot-Hand Fallacies: Theories and Applications | Matthew Rabin and Dimitri Vayanos | The Review of Economic Studies https://rabin.scholars.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum7721/files/rabin/files/ghfta_resf.pdf

Why do we think a random event is more or less likely to occur if it happened several times in the past? | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/gamblers-fallacy

The Gambler’s Fallacy: What It Is And How To Overcome It | Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/brycehoffman/2024/08/27/the-gamblers-fallacy-what-it-is-and-how-to-overcome-it/

Can simply having your phone nearby make it harder to give something your full attention?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Phone-in-the-Room Study — research examining how the mere presence of a smartphone may affect our attention and thinking, even when we aren’t actively using it. We look at what this reveals about the subtle ways technology can compete for our mental resources.

But if a phone can influence us without making a sound or lighting up, how much attention are we really giving to the moment in front of us? Discover how the presence of technology may shape our focus — and what it means for the way we connect, concentrate, and think.

Studies and links:

Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity | Adrian F. Ward, Kristen Duke, Ayelet Gneezy, Maarten W Bos | Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315966604_Brain_Drain_The_Mere_Presence_of_One's_Own_Smartphone_Reduces_Available_Cognitive_Capacity

Smartphones are distracting even when you’re not using them | The Journalist’s Resource https://journalistsresource.org/economics/smartphones-mobile-distracting-cognition-iphone/

Have you ever tried not to think about something — only to find it taking over your mind?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the White Bear Suppression Study — research by psychologist Daniel Wegner investigating what happens when we deliberately try to push certain thoughts out of our minds. We look at why attempts to control our thoughts can sometimes have the opposite effect.

But why can trying not to think about something make it even harder to let go? Discover what thought suppression reveals about the limits of mental control, and how our efforts to avoid certain thoughts can shape what stays on our minds.

Studies and links:

The White Bear Story | Daniel Wegner and David Schneider | Psychological Inquiry 2003 vol 14 no 3&4 326-329 https://dtg.sites.fas.harvard.edu/DANWEGNER/pub/White%20Bear%20Story.pdf

Ironic Process Theory & The White Bear Experiment | Simply Psychology https://www.simplypsychology.org/ironic-process-theory-white-bear-experiment.html

Why can agreeing to one small request make it easier to say yes to a much bigger one later?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Foot-in-the-Door Technique — a persuasion strategy built around the idea that small commitments can make people more likely to agree to larger requests. We look at how the choices we make can influence what we’re willing to do next.

But how does a simple “yes” become the beginning of something bigger? Discover how commitment, consistency, and the way requests are presented can shape our decisions — often before we realise how far we’ve been drawn in.

Studies and links:

Compliance without Pressure: The foot-in-the-door technique | Jonathan L. Freedman and Scott C. Fraser | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1966, Vol. 4, No. 2, 155-202 | buildonomics.com https://www.bulidomics.com/w/images/6/6c/Freedman_fraser_footinthedoor_jpsp1966.pdf

Foot-in-the-Door as a Persuasive Technique | psychologist world the foot-in-the-door technique | https://www.psychologistworld.com/behavior/compliance/strategies/foot-in-door-technique

Have you ever explained something that seemed obvious to you — only to realise the other person had no idea what you meant?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Curse of Knowledge — the cognitive bias that makes it difficult to imagine what it’s like not to know something we already understand. We look at how knowledge can shape the way we communicate, explain ideas, and interpret other people’s responses.

But once we know something, can we ever truly see it from someone else’s perspective? Discover how the Curse of Knowledge can create misunderstandings, why expertise doesn’t always make communication easier, and how awareness of this bias can help us connect more clearly.

Studies and links:

The Rocky Road from Actions to Intentions | Elizabeth Newton https://gwern.net/doc/psychology/cognitive-bias/illusion-of-depth/1990-newton.pdf

Curse of Knowledge | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/management/curse-of-knowledge

How much can the way we believe others see us change the way we behave?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Scar Experiment — a fascinating demonstration of how our beliefs about other people’s perceptions can shape our own behaviour. We look at how expecting to be judged or treated differently can influence the way we interact with the world.

But what happens when the way we think others see us begins to shape who we become? Discover how our expectations can affect our confidence, actions, and experiences — and why believing we’re less capable can hold us back, while believing in our abilities can help us move forward.

Studies and links:

Invisible Scars | Psychology today https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/beyond-school-walls/202410/invisible-scars

Perceptions of the Impact of Negatively Valued Physical Characteristics on Social Interaction | Robert E. Kleck and Angelo Strenta | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | Research gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Kleck/publication/232481827_Perceptions_of_the_impact_of_negatively_valued_physical_characteristics_on_social_interaction/links/56a4f54d08aeef24c58bae73/Perceptions-of-the-impact-of-negatively-valued-physical-characteristics-on-social-interaction.pdf

Have you ever changed your mind about what you wanted because another option made it look like a better deal?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Decoy Effect — a psychological phenomenon in which an extra, less appealing option can influence our preference between two others. We look at how the way choices are presented can shape what seems valuable, desirable, or worth choosing.

But are we choosing what we truly want — or are we being nudged by the options placed beside it? Discover how the Decoy Effect can influence our decisions, alter our preferences, and reveal just how much the presentation of a choice matters.

Studies and links:

Decoy Effect | Think Insights https://thinkinsights.net/strategy/decoy-effect

The Economist Magazine: A story of clever decoy pricing effect | The Strategy Story https://thestrategystory.com/2020/10/02/economist-magazine-a-story-of-clever-decoy-pricing/

Why do we feel more strongly about one option after a third one is added? | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/decoy-effect

Why can one person’s story move us more than the suffering of thousands?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Identifiable Victim Effect — the tendency for us to feel more compassion and willingness to help when we can connect with a specific person, rather than a large group represented by statistics. We look at how personal stories and vivid details can shape our emotional responses to those in need.

But why can a single face feel more urgent than thousands of lives described in numbers? Discover how the way suffering is presented influences our empathy, our decisions, and the people we choose to help.

Studies and links:

The ‘‘Identified Victim’’ Effect: An Identified Group, or Just a Single Individual? | Tehila Kogut and Ilana Ritov | Journal of Behavioral Decision Making The "identified victim" effect: an identified group, or just a single individual?

Why are we more likely to offer help to a specific individual than a vague group? | The Decision Lab Identifiable Victim Effect - The Decision Lab

Have you ever judged a decision as brilliant because it worked out — or foolish because it didn’t?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Outcome Bias — the tendency to evaluate the quality of a decision based on its result, rather than the information and reasoning available when the choice was made. We look at how success and failure can colour our judgment of the decisions that led to them.

But does a good outcome always mean it was a good decision? Discover how outcome bias can distort our evaluations, make us overlook uncertainty, and affect the way we learn from our choices — especially when we confuse results with judgment.

Studies and links:

Outcome Bias in Decision Evaluation | Jonathon Baron and John C. Hershey | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1988, Vol. 54, No. 4, 569-579 outcomebias.pdf

Outcome Bias: Definition, Examples and Effects | clearerthinking.org Outcome Bias: Definition, Examples and Effects

Why do we explain someone else’s mistake by blaming their personality, while giving ourselves a pass because of the circumstances?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Fundamental Attribution Error — our tendency to overemphasise personal traits when explaining other people’s behaviour, while underestimating the situational factors that may have influenced them. We look at how quickly we form judgments, often without knowing the full story.

But how often do we mistake a single action for someone’s whole character? Discover how the Fundamental Attribution Error can shape our impressions, influence our relationships, and remind us why understanding behaviour means looking beyond what we see.

Studies and links:

The Attribution of Attitudes | Edward E. Jones and Victor A. Harris | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 3, 1-24 (1967) PII: 0022-1031(67)90034-0

Fundamental Attribution Error Theory in Psychology | Simply Psychology Fundamental Attribution Error Theory in Psychology