#behavioral-psychology

#behavioral-psychology

What interests me is not the spending itself but the consistent failure of rational intention. These are people who make complex decisions, manage budgets, and exercise considerable self-control in their professional lives. But something about the holidays systematically overwhelms their better judgment. The usual explanations, weak willpower or manipulative advertising, miss what's actually happening in the psyche. The answer lies in an alliance that Plato identified 24 centuries ago, one that modern psychology has largely overlooked.

In 2023, Duolingo generated over $500 million in revenue with a deceptively simple feature at its core: a streak counter. This wasn't just any counter - it was the result of over 600 experiments conducted across four years, each one peeling back layers of human psychology to understand what truly motivates daily engagement. The numbers tell a compelling story: users who reach just a 7-day streak are 3.6 times more likely to complete their language course,

Passive aggression is a subtle, cloaked, or covert means of expressing anger. It is rooted in anger and plays out in virtually every area of life.

Amber flags are low-level problematic behaviours that have the potential to fall outside of safe and healthy behaviour but are not yet serious enough to be labeled as "red flags."

Venting can feel good because it provides immediate emotional release, but relying on it excessively can leave us feeling stuck without resolution.

The design of slot machines utilizes colors, sounds, and rewards to invoke emotions and encourage players to continue playing, even during losing streaks.

When people gather in large groups, they often act in ways that are different from how they would behave individually.

Jealousy can quietly disrupt relationships, manifesting as fleeting thoughts or needs for reassurance that ultimately alter communication and emotional connection.