This Hidden Brain podcast episode explores why people comply with unjust rules and authority, featuring an interview with psychologist Sunita Sah. The episode uses personal anecdotes (Sah's experiences with a medical procedure and a friend's massage) and case studies (a McDonald's hoax involving a strip search) to illustrate the psychological mechanisms behind compliance, including "insinuation anxiety"—the fear of signaling distrust. Sah discusses how upbringing and societal pressures can foster compliance, and offers strategies like creating psychological distance (talking to oneself in the third person) and the "power of the pause" to resist undue pressure. The episode concludes by suggesting that recognizing internal tension as a warning sign and asking clarifying questions can help individuals align their actions with their values.
