Have you ever wondered why you make certain decisions? Or why others sometimes behave in ways that seem odd or even incomprehensible to you? Although we often think that we make decisions freely and independently, psychological research reveals that a multitude of hidden factors affect us – from societal expectations to daily mood fluctuations. Here are some key insights that can help you understand how this system works.
Influences Around Us – Are They Really Only External?
We are all surrounded by subtle, sometimes invisible, but incredibly powerful influences. For example, you know the feeling when someone in a group agrees with your opinion, and suddenly everyone seems more inclined to accept that decision? This isn’t just a coincidence. Subconsciously, we tend to adjust to others' opinions, often without realizing how we start engaging in “groupthink” to be socially accepted. Solomon Asch’s conformity experiment (1951) illustrated how group pressure can influence individual decisions. In Asch's experiment, participants were shown pairs of lines, and group members (including undercover assistants) would give incorrect answers. The results showed that most participants, wanting to align with the group, also gave incorrect answers, demonstrating the power of conformity.
Inner Voice or External Whisper?
We often assume our decisions are sincere and authentic. But think about advertisements with subliminal messages that we sometimes subconsciously absorb. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “25th frame,” where a hidden image or phrase is inserted into a video to persuade us to buy a product. While the effectiveness of this method remains debated, the fact is that we are easily influenced by visual and auditory cues. For example, James Vicary (1957) claimed to have boosted sales of Coca-Cola and popcorn by inserting subliminal messages like “Drink Coca-Cola” in films, though he later admitted the results were fabricated. Today, powerful digital visuals are constantly bombarding us, shaping our choices more than we consciously realize, especially when children and teens are glued to their screens.
What Influence Do We Have on Others?
We’re not only influenced by others but also impact those around us. For instance, Rosenthal and Jacobson’s self-fulfilling prophecy study (1968) examined how teachers’ expectations affected student performance. Teachers were told that certain students had high potential for academic success, though these students were chosen at random. The results showed that students with high expectations indeed performed better, as teachers' behavior influenced these students’ achievements.
Do We Really Control Everything We Do?
Most of us like to believe that we are the architects of our lives, fully in control of our actions and decisions. However, phenomena like the illusion of control reveal that we often only imagine we control situations, when in fact, they depend on external factors. Ellen Langer’s study with gamblers (1975) showed that participants felt they could influence the outcome of games of chance, especially when they themselves rolled the dice or chose lottery numbers. Another interesting finding was that players would insist on keeping their chosen numbers even when offered large sums to change them, demonstrating their strong belief in personal control.
Emotions, Mood, and … Decisions?
Studies show that our mood significantly impacts our decisions. Schwarz and Clore’s study (1983) examined participants’ life satisfaction by reminding them of their mood before asking questions. The results showed that those reminded of a bad mood rated their life more critically than those with a good mood. This demonstrates that our decisions are often influenced by our emotional state, so our daily mood can even affect how we evaluate life.
So, the next time you find yourself forming an opinion or making a judgment about someone, take a moment to ask yourself: is this truly my opinion, or is it an influence from the surrounding environment? Mindful self-reflection can help you better understand who you are and the path you want to take.
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