Why would someone confess to a crime they didn’t commit? Or why would someone join a cult? Most of us think we’re too mentally strong to fall for brainwashing, but subtle forms of persuasion might already be shaping the way we think, feel, and act—without us even realizing it.
In this episode, I sit down with historian, professor, and author Rebecca Lemov to explore the psychology of brainwashing and how it shows up in modern life. From social media algorithms to toxic relationships, Rebecca explains how small, seemingly insignificant choices can shape the way we see ourselves and the world.
Some of the things we talk about are:
The psychology of brainwashing
The modern day forces that shape our beliefs and emotions (like social media)
How social media algorithms are designed to impact you
The Facebook experiment that manipulated emotions and what that reveals about brainwashing and social media
The privacy paradox: why we give up our data even when we know better
How addiction and trauma make us more vulnerable to coercive tactics
How you might be being brainwashed right now without even realizing it
The role of gut instincts in protecting yourself from manipulation
The signs that you're being brainwashed in everyday life
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