Why do subtle cues in our environment quietly shape our thoughts, feelings, and decisions—often without us noticing? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we dive into priming — the psychological phenomenon where exposure to certain words, images, or ideas can influence how we interpret the world and how we behave next. From tiny triggers that nudge our mood to hidden cues that shift our judgement or performance, we uncover how effortlessly our minds can be steered in a particular direction.

Discover what priming reveals about the automatic mind, how everyday environments quietly “set the tone” for your choices, and how becoming aware of these subtle influences can help you take back control of your decisions before they’re made for you.

Studies and links:

Bargh, Chen and Burrow's study Bargh Chen and Burrow 1996 Automaticity of social behavior

Kay, Wheeler, Bargh and Ross' study Kay Wheeler Bargh and Ross

Chen-Bo Zhong and Katie Liljenquist Zhong & Liljenquist 2006.pdf

Why do ordinary people slip into cruel or submissive roles the moment power is handed out? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we examine the Stanford Prison Experiment — the infamous study that revealed just how quickly authority, environment, and assigned roles can transform behaviour. From guards who escalated into aggression to prisoners who internalised obedience and distress, we explore how the situation—not personality—can push people into extremes they never imagined.

Discover what this experiment teaches us about the power of context, how easily we can lose ourselves in the roles we’re given, and how to stay grounded when a situation starts shaping you more than you realise.

Studies and links:

Stanford Magazine article recounting the Stanford Prison Experiment The Menace Within | STANFORD magazine

Simply Psychology summary of the Stanford Prison Experiment Stanford Prison Experiment

Why do people fail to step in during an emergency — even when they know someone needs help? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the psychology behind the bystander effect — the strange social phenomenon where the presence of others makes us less likely to take action. From classic studies by Darley and Latané to real-world moments where hesitation can have serious consequences, we uncover how responsibility gets diluted, how uncertainty freezes us, and how we take cues from those around us without even noticing.

Discover how to recognise the moments when you’re silently waiting for someone else to act — and how to break the paralysis so you can step forward when it matters most.

Studies and links:

PDF of that original paper: Bystander Intervention in Emergencies Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility.

Simply Psychology summary of the bystander effect (with key models like diffusion of responsibility, evaluation apprehension, etc.) Bystander Effect In Psychology

Why do we go along with the crowd, even when we know they might be wrong? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we dive into the psychology of group conformity — the powerful social pull that makes us blend in, stay quiet, and follow others, often without realizing it. From classic experiments like Asch’s line test to everyday situations where peer pressure subtly shapes our choices, we uncover how group influence can override logic, independence, and even morality.

Discover how to spot when you’re conforming just to fit in — and how to break free from the herd when it matters most.

Studies and links:

Asch, S. E. (1951). Effects of Group Pressure Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments. (PDF) 1952-asch.pdf

Asch conformity experiment explained (Simply Psychology) Asch Conformity Line Experiment

Why do ordinary people follow orders that go against their morals? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we look at the psychology behind obedience to authority. Through the lens of Stanley Milgram’s shocking experiment, we explore how power, pressure, and perceived responsibility can override personal judgment.

Learn what this reveals about human nature—and how understanding it can help you make decisions that are truly your own.

Studies and links:

Milgram, Stanley (1963). Behavioral Study of Obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67, 371–378. — Full paper (PDF) MilgramOriginalWork.pdf

Simply Psychology summary of Milgram’s experiment, methodology, ethics, variations Milgram Shock Experiment | Summary | Results | Ethics