Our behavior is significantly influenced by external factors, and even the smallest changes can lead to profound changes in how we act in different situations. A study exemplifies this by demonstrating how time pressure affects our willingness to help others. Students were divided into two groups: one was told there was no rush to attend a lecture, while the other was instructed not to be late. On their way, they encountered a man who had collapsed. In the first group, 63 percent of the students stopped to help, while in the second group, only 10 percent did so.

In a different study, the Stanford Prison Experiment, 24 healthy males were chosen to participate in a mock prison for two weeks, with some playing the role of guards and others as prisoners. The experiment quickly spiraled into chaos, with the “guards” becoming increasingly cruel and sadistic, causing emotional breakdowns among the “prisoners.” The experiment had to be abruptly terminated after just six days.

These circumstances, although within the confines of a simulated prison with assigned roles, transformed the participants into entirely different individuals and had a profound impact on their behavior. It’s a stark reminder that external factors wield a far greater influence on our behavior than we often realize.