Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions

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

Have you ever looked back at something that happened and thought, “I knew it all along”?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Hindsight Bias — the tendency to see an outcome as more predictable after we already know what happened. We look at how our memories and interpretations can shift, making the past seem more obvious than it really was.

But if the outcome feels inevitable in hindsight, how accurately do we remember what we thought beforehand? Discover how hindsight bias can shape our confidence, distort our memories, and influence the way we judge our own decisions — and those of others.

Studies and links:

Hindsight^Foresight: The Effect of Outcome Knowledge on Judgment Under Uncertainty | Baruch Fischhoff Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel | Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance 1975, Vol. 1, No. 3, 288-299 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Fischhoff_1975_Hindsight_is_not_equal_to_foresight.pdf

Hindsight Bias | The Decision Lab Hindsight Bias - The Decision Lab

Can making a mistake actually make someone more likeable?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Pratfall Effect — the psychological phenomenon suggesting that a competent person can become more appealing after making a small, relatable mistake. We look at how imperfections can influence the way others perceive us, and why being flawless isn’t always the advantage we imagine.

But why can a little clumsiness make someone seem more human? Discover how competence, vulnerability, and small mistakes can shape our impressions — and why sometimes, being imperfect can bring us closer to others.

Studies and links:

The effect of a pratfall on increasing interpersonal attractiveness | Elliot Aronson, University of Texas | Ben Willerman, Social Science Research Council | Joanne Floyd, University of Utah | scispace.com The effect of a pratfall on increasing interpersonal attractiveness.

The Pratfall Effect | Everyday PsychThe Pratfall Effect - Everyday Psych

Can doing something good make us feel more justified in doing something we know isn’t so good?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Moral Licensing — the psychological effect where past good behaviour can give us a sense of permission to act less virtuously later. We look at how our choices can shape our self-image, and how feeling like a “good person” may influence the decisions that follow.

But when does feeling proud of a good deed become a reason to let ourselves off the hook? Discover how moral licensing can affect our behaviour, complicate our sense of right and wrong, and reveal the surprising ways we justify our choices to ourselves.

Studies and links:

Buying Green: Consumer Behavior | Ethics Unwrapped Buying Green: Consumer Behavior - Ethics Unwrapped

Do Green Products Make Us Better People? | Nina Mazar, Chen-Bo Zhong | University of Toronto | In Press at Psychological Science Green Products Psych Sci.pdf

Have you ever assumed everyone sees things the way you do — only to discover they don’t?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the False Consensus Effect — our tendency to overestimate how many other people share our beliefs, preferences, and opinions. We look at how our own perspective can become the benchmark for what we think is “normal,” shaping how we interpret the people around us.

But how often do we mistake what feels obvious to us for what everyone else believes? Discover how the False Consensus Effect can influence our judgments, create misunderstandings, and reveal why our own point of view may feel far more universal than it really is.

Studies and links:

The "False Consensus Effect": an Egocentric Bias in Social Perception and Attribution Processes | Lee Ross, David Greene and Pamela House | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 13 | bulidomics.com PII: 0022-1031(77)90049-X

False Consensus Effect: Definition and Examples | Simply Psychology False Consensus Effect: Definition and Examples

Have you ever worried that everyone noticed something embarrassing you did — when they may not have noticed at all?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Spotlight Effect — the tendency to overestimate how much other people notice, remember, or pay attention to us. We look at why our own experiences can feel so visible, and how that can shape the way we act around others.

But what if the spotlight we feel is mostly in our own minds? Discover how the Spotlight Effect can influence our confidence, heighten self-consciousness, and remind us that other people may be far less focused on us than we imagine.

Studies and links:

The Spotlight Effect in Social Judgment: An Egocentric Bias in Estimates of the Salience of One's Own Actions and Appearance  | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2000, Vol. 78, No. 2, 211-222 | Thomas Gilovich, Victoria Husted Medvec and Kenneth Savitsky | psychologyib.com amp78020211.tif

Why do we feel like we stand out more than we really do? | Decision Lab Spotlight effect - The Decision Lab

Can believing something will happen make us behave in ways that bring it about?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy — the process by which our expectations can influence our behaviour, helping turn a belief into reality. We look at how what we anticipate can shape the choices we make, the way we interact with others, and the outcomes we experience.

But how often do our predictions describe the future — and how often do they help create it? Discover how expectations can shape our actions, reinforce our beliefs, and influence the direction our lives take.

Studies and links:

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy In Psychology: Definition & Examples | Simply Psychology Self-Fulfilling Prophecy In Psychology: Definition & Examples

Pygmalion in the Classroom: Teacher Expectation and Pupils' Intellectual Development | Western Kentucky University people.wku.edu/steve.groce/RosenthalJacobson-PygmalionintheClassroom.pdf

Why can one good impression make us see everything about someone in a positive light — or one bad impression make us see only their flaws?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Halo and Devil Effect — the tendency for one noticeable trait to influence our overall judgment of a person. We look at how a single impression can colour the way we interpret their personality, abilities, and behaviour.

But how often do we see people as they really are — rather than through the lens of one first impression? Discover how the Halo and Devil Effect can shape our judgments, influence our relationships, and lead us to overlook the complexity of others.

Studies and links:

Reboot Foundation | Everything You Need To Know About The Halo Effect Everything You Need To Know About The Halo Effect | REBOOT FOUNDATION

Ideal Role | The Halo Effect - The power of first impressions The Halo Effect - The power of first impressions

Why can an unfinished task stay on your mind long after you’ve stopped working on it?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Zeigarnik Effect — the psychological tendency for incomplete tasks to remain more memorable and mentally present than completed ones. We look at how unfinished business can hold our attention, create a sense of tension, and influence what we focus on next.

But why does the mind keep returning to things we haven’t finished? Discover how the Zeigarnik Effect can shape our attention, motivation, and memory — and what it reveals about the mental pull of unfinished tasks.

Studies and Links:

The Art of Sustainable Performance: The Zeigarnik Effect | Research Gate (PDF) The Art of Sustainable Performance: The Zeigarnik Effect

Zeigarnik Effect Examples in Psychology | Simply Psychology Zeigarnik Effect Examples in Psychology

Why can the thought of losing something feel more powerful than the possibility of gaining something just as valuable?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Loss Aversion — the psychological tendency for losses to feel more significant than equivalent gains. We look at how the fear of losing what we already have can influence our choices, shape our priorities, and make change feel especially difficult.

But how often do we make decisions to avoid a loss rather than pursue a gain? Discover how Loss Aversion can affect our judgment, keep us attached to familiar choices, and reveal why the possibility of losing something can carry such powerful weight.

Studies and Links:

Why do we buy insurance? | The Decision Lab Loss Aversion - The Decision Lab

Why do we value items more if they belong to us? | The Decision Lab Endowment Effect - The Decision Lab

Why are we likely to continue with an investment even if it would be rational to give it up? | The Decision Lab The Sunk Cost Fallacy - The Decision Lab

Loss aversion in riskless choice: a reference-dependent model | Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman | Oxford University Press | UFL Loss Aversion in Riskless Choice: A Reference-Dependent Model

Why can a smaller reward right now feel more tempting than a bigger reward we have to wait for?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Temporal Discounting — the tendency to place less value on rewards the further away they are in time. We look at why immediate gratification can outweigh future benefits, even when waiting may lead to a better outcome.

But why is the future so easy to undervalue when the present is right in front of us? Discover how Temporal Discounting shapes our everyday choices, influences our long-term goals, and reveals the challenge of choosing what we want most over what we want now.

Studies and links:

Time Discounting and Time Preference: A Critical Review | Shane Frederick, George Loewenstein and Ted O'Donoghue | Journal of Economic Literature Vol. XL | Carnegie Mellon University TimeDiscounting.pdf

Can changing the way something is described change how we feel about it — even when the facts stay exactly the same?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Framing Effect — the psychological phenomenon in which our decisions are influenced by how information is presented. We look at how emphasizing potential gains or losses can shift our perceptions, preferences, and choices.

But are we responding to the facts themselves, or to the way they’re framed? Discover how language and presentation can shape our judgments, influence our decisions, and reveal why the same information can lead us to very different conclusions.Studies and links:

The Framing of Decisions and the Psychology of Choice | Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman Untitled

Framing Effect in Psychology | Simply Psychology Framing Effect In Psychology

Why can knowing a little about something sometimes make us more confident than knowing a lot?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Dunning-Kruger Effect — a cognitive bias in which people with limited knowledge or experience in a particular area may overestimate their abilities. We look at how confidence and competence can become disconnected, and why recognising what we don’t know can be harder than it sounds.

But how can we tell the difference between genuine expertise and misplaced confidence? Discover how the Dunning-Kruger Effect shapes our self-perception, influences the way we judge our abilities, and reveals why learning often begins with recognising the limits of what we know.

Studies and links:

Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments | Research Gate | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (PDF) Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments

How the Dunning-Kruger Effect works | Very Well Mind The Dunning-Kruger Effect: An Overestimation of Capability

Why can making a little progress feel so much more motivating than waiting for one big breakthrough?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Progress Principle — the idea that making meaningful progress, even in small steps, can have a powerful effect on our motivation and sense of wellbeing. We look at how everyday forward movement can shape the way we feel about our work and what keeps us going.

But what if the secret to staying motivated isn’t a huge achievement, but simply seeing that we’re moving forward? Discover how small wins can influence our mindset, strengthen our motivation, and help us build momentum over time.

Studies and links:

The Progress Principle | Psychology Fanatic Understanding the Progress Principle: Small Wins for Big Success - Psychology Fanatic

The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work | Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer (2011)

Why do we find it so easy to notice information that supports what we already believe — and overlook what challenges it?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Confirmation Bias — the tendency to favour information that reinforces our existing beliefs while giving less attention to evidence that contradicts them. We look at how our expectations can influence what we notice, how we interpret information, and what we come to accept as true.

But if our beliefs shape the way we see the world, how can we recognise when we’re only looking for confirmation? Discover how Confirmation Bias can influence our thinking, strengthen our assumptions, and make it harder to see beyond what we already believe.

Studies and Links:

On the failure to eliminate hypotheses in a conceptual task | Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology | Peter Wason wason-qjep1960.pdf

Cognitive Biases and Brain Biology Help Explain Why Facts Don't Change Minds | UConn Today

Cognitive Biases and Brain Biology Help Explain Why Facts Don't Change Minds - UConn Today

Have you ever judged a price, a decision, or an opportunity by the very first number or piece of information you encountered?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Anchoring Bias — the tendency to rely too heavily on the first information we receive when making judgments. We look at how an initial number, impression, or reference point can influence the way we evaluate everything that comes after it.

But how much does that first piece of information shape what we believe is reasonable? Discover how Anchoring Bias can influence our choices, distort our judgments, and reveal why the first thing we hear can be difficult to move beyond.

Studies and links:

Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases | Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky tversky_k_heuristics_biases.pdf

Anchoring bias & Adjustment Heuristic: Definition and Examples | Simply Psychology Anchoring Bias and Adjustment Heuristic in Psychology

Why do some risks feel more common or more likely simply because we can think of an example so easily?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Availability Heuristic — the mental shortcut we use to judge how likely or frequent something is based on how easily examples come to mind. We look at how memorable experiences and vivid information can shape our perception of risk and influence our decisions.

But does something feel likely because it happens often — or because it’s easy to remember? Discover how the Availability Heuristic can influence our judgments, distort our sense of probability, and reveal why what comes to mind first isn’t always the full picture.

Studies and links:

Availability Heuristic and Decision Making | Simply Psychology Availability Heuristic In Psychology: Definition & Examples

Availability: A Heuristic for judging Frequency and Probability | Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman Tversky availability.pdf

What if addiction is shaped by more than the substance itself — and the world someone lives in?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Rat Park experiments led by psychologist Bruce Alexander, which questioned how environment and social connection might influence addictive behaviour. We look at how the research challenged familiar assumptions about addiction and raised broader questions about the role of isolation, connection, and the conditions in which we live.

But if our surroundings can shape our behaviour, what does that mean for how we understand addiction? Discover how Rat Park invites us to look beyond individual choices and consider the wider environment — and why the conversation about addiction may be more complex than we think.

Studies and links:

What Does “Rat Park” Teach Us About Addiction? | Psychiatric Times What Does “Rat Park” Teach Us About Addiction? | Psychiatric Times

What can the Rat Park experiment teach us about addiction? | UK Addiction Treatment Centres What can the Rat Park experiment teach us about addiction? - UK Addiction Treatment Centres

Can something you barely notice influence what you think, feel, or do next?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Priming — the psychological effect where exposure to one stimulus can subtly influence how we respond to something that follows. We look at how words, images, and other cues can activate associations in our minds, shaping our perceptions and behaviour without conscious awareness.

But how much of our response is truly our own — and how much has been influenced by what came before? Discover how Priming can shape our judgments, guide our attention, and reveal the hidden influence of seemingly insignificant cues.

Studies and links:

Automaticity of Social Behavior: Direct Effects of Trait Construct and Stereotype Activation on Action | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1996. Vol. 71, No. 2. 230-244 Bargh_et_al_1996_Automaticity_of_social_behavior.pdf

Priming a New Identity: Self-Monitoring Moderates the Effects of Nonself Primes on Self-Judgments and Behavior | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2005, Vol. 89, No. 5, 657– 671 2005-jpsp-demarree-wheeler-petty.pdf

Washing Away Your Sins: Threatened Morality and Physical Cleansing | Science 313, 1451 (2006); - Zhong & Liljenquist 2006.pdf

How much can a situation change the way we behave — and the person we believe ourselves to be?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Stanford Prison Experiment — a controversial study led by psychologist Philip Zimbardo that examined how people might respond to assigned roles and a powerful social environment. We look at the questions it raised about authority, behaviour, and the influence of situational pressure, while also considering the serious ethical concerns and criticisms surrounding the research.

But can a role or environment really transform our behaviour so dramatically? Discover what the experiment continues to make us question about human nature, the power of situations, and the importance of critically examining psychological research.

Studies and links:

The Menace Within | Stanford Magazine The Menace Within | STANFORD magazine

Stanford Prison Experiment | Simply Psychology Stanford Prison Experiment

If someone needs help in a crowd, why might we assume someone else will step in?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Bystander Effect — the psychological phenomenon in which people can become less likely to intervene when others are present. We look at how responsibility can feel shared across a group, and how uncertainty about what to do can influence our response.

But when everyone is waiting for someone else to act, who takes the first step? Discover how group dynamics can shape our decisions in moments that matter, and why recognising the Bystander Effect may help us respond more thoughtfully when someone needs help.

Studies and links:

Bystander Intervention in Emergencies: Diffusion of Responsibility | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1968, Vol. 8, No. 4, 377-383 Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility.

Bystander Effect In Psychology | Simply Psychology Bystander Effect In Psychology

Would you trust your own judgment if everyone around you seemed to disagree?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore conformity through Solomon Asch’s famous line-judgment experiments, which examined how people respond when a group gives an answer that conflicts with what they believe they see. We look at how social pressure can influence our choices, even when the answer seems clear.

But why can the opinions of others make us doubt our own perception? Discover how the desire to fit in can shape our decisions, influence our behaviour, and reveal the powerful pull of the group.

Studies and links:

Effects of Group Pressure Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments | gwern.net 1952-asch.pdf

Asch Conformity Line Experiment | Simply Psychology Asch Conformity Line Experiment

How far might we go when someone in authority tells us to follow instructions?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments, which investigated how people respond to authority when instructions conflict with their personal conscience. We look at the questions the research raised about obedience, responsibility, and the influence of authority — alongside the ethical concerns surrounding the study.

But what makes it difficult to challenge someone who seems to have the right to give orders? Discover how authority can shape our decisions, why obedience is more complicated than simply following rules, and what Milgram’s research asks us to consider about our own choices.

Studies and links:

Behavioral Study of Obedience | The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology Vol. 67, No. 4, 1963 milgram.pdf

Stanley Milgram Shock Experiment | Simply Psychology Milgram Shock Experiment | Summary | Results | Ethics