Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement The psychology of control - why your brain overcomplicates everything
Mar 4, 2025
Why do smart people often make poor choices? The podcast dives into the illusion of control, revealing how our attempts to micromanage lead to anxiety and addiction. Listeners learn about reactance theory, which explains our rebellious response to perceived threats to our freedom. From attachment styles to anger management, the discussion highlights how control can worsen our problems. Surrendering control is presented as a path to inner peace, encouraging curiosity over micromanagement in our daily lives.
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Quad Bike Lesson On Letting Go
- Sam Webster Harris describes being dragged in circles by a friend's quad bike as a child while clutching the throttle and handlebars.
- He explains that simply letting go would have immediately solved the danger and humiliation he experienced.
The Illusion Of Control Over Chance
- People show an illusion of control by believing they can influence random events like lottery numbers or dice.
- This bias makes us overvalue chosen outcomes and act as if our input changes objective chance.
Addiction Is Control Gone Wrong
- Addictions often start as helpful or pleasurable behaviors that flip into loss of control.
- Trying to wrestle control while addicted typically fails; the solution often requires fully letting go or quitting.
