Ever played a video game long after you meant to stop? What about staying in a toxic workplace or relationship? Ever looked back and thought "Why did I keep doing that?!"

It might be operant conditioning - the way we respond to rewards especially unreliable and unpredictable rewards.

Skinner Boxes (developed by BF Skinner) are a tool psychologists use to study animal behaviour, which can teach us about our choices as humans, and why we sometimes act against our own interests. Especially when we're faced with casinos, high-stress jobs, and charming but moody people.

In this solo episode Martha explains how to spot a Skinner Box and how to get out before it costs you a fortune.

Support the show with a donation or affiliate purchase

Buy us a coffee

In the UK or Spain and need to complete a tax return? Get 10% off at TaxScouts

Check out our Bookshop.org store

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.