The Broken Windows Theory

The Broken Windows Theory

Why do small signs of disorder have such a big impact on the way people behave? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Broken Windows Theory — the idea that visible signs of neglect, disorder, or rule-breaking can encourage further antisocial behaviour by signalling that no one is paying attention. Discover how our surroundings influence our decisions, why environments can shape behaviour more than we realise, and what this theory reveals about the power of setting expectations through the spaces we live, work, and learn in. Studies and links: Broken Windows Theory | Simply Psychology https://www.simplypsychology.org/broken-windows-theory.html [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 [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 [https://www.cognitionandculture.net/blogs/nicolas-claidires-blog/experimental-evidence-for-the-broken-window-theory/index.html]

The Gambler’s Fallacy

Why do we believe a random event is “due” to happen just because it hasn’t happened in a while? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the gambler’s fallacy — the cognitive bias that makes us think past random outcomes influence future ones, even when every event is completely independent. Discover why streaks can fool our intuition, how our brains search for patterns in pure chance, and how recognising this bias can help you make more rational decisions in situations involving uncertainty and probability. 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 [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 [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/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/brycehoffman/2024/08/27/the-gamblers-fallacy-what-it-is-and-how-to-overcome-it/]

The Phone in the Room Study

Why does having your phone nearby make it harder to think — even when you’re not using it? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Phone in the Room Study — the surprising research showing that the mere presence of a smartphone can reduce attention, working memory, and cognitive performance. Discover how your brain allocates resources to resisting distraction, why “just having it there” can drain mental capacity, and what this study reveals about the hidden cognitive costs of constant connectivity. 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 [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/ [https://journalistsresource.org/economics/smartphones-mobile-distracting-cognition-iphone/]

The White Bear Suppression Study

Why is it that the harder we try not to think about something, the more it seems to take over our minds? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the White Bear Suppression Study — the famous experiment that revealed the paradox of thought suppression. When participants were told not to think about a white bear, they found themselves thinking about it even more. Discover why trying to suppress thoughts often backfires, how unwanted ideas can become more persistent the more we resist them, and what this surprising effect teaches us about attention, self-control, and the way our minds work. 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 [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 [https://www.simplypsychology.org/ironic-process-theory-white-bear-experiment.html]

The Foot-in-the-Door Technique

Why do people agree to big requests after saying yes to a small one? In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the foot-in-the-door technique — a powerful persuasion strategy where securing a small commitment first makes people more likely to agree to a larger request later. Discover why consistency is such a strong force in human behaviour, how marketers, salespeople, and campaigners use this technique to influence decisions, and how to recognise when a seemingly harmless first step is leading you somewhere much bigger. 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 [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 [https://www.psychologistworld.com/behavior/compliance/strategies/foot-in-door-technique]