Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement

The Hidden Psychology of Black Friday - How do shops manipulate us (and make calm aunties fist-fight over PlayStations)?

Nov 18, 2025
Explore the wild world of Black Friday where joy meets chaos! Discover how retailers manipulate our brains with tactics like FOMO and scarcity. Uncover the dark side of sale-induced buying, including financial harm and environmental costs. Journey through bizarre real-life shopping incidents and acts of unexpected kindness amidst the frenzy. Learn practical tips to curb impulse buying and reflect on what our shopping habits reveal about our identities. This episode dives deep into the psychology behind our need for stuff!
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ANECDOTE

Blender Fight Reveals Meaning Of Objects

  • Two women once fought over a discounted blender in a Target, pulling hair and exchanging insults.
  • The incident shows objects become vessels for imagined identities, not just tools.
INSIGHT

The Triple Threat That Hijacks Buying

  • Anchoring, scarcity and countdowns combine to hijack our valuation processes and drive purchases.
  • These triggers tap ancient resource instincts so even rational buyers become susceptible.
INSIGHT

Anticipation Outweighs Possession

  • Our brains release more dopamine in anticipation than on receipt of rewards.
  • We therefore live in futures of possibility, not in present possession, which fuels shopping anticipation.
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