5 Facts About Human Behavior Everyone Should Know
If You Don’t Know These 5 Facts About People, You’re at a Disadvantage
So, I’m standing in the grocery store, staring at the self-checkout screen like it just insulted my mother. There’s a line behind me, and this machine, which I know worked fine five seconds ago, has decided now is the perfect time to glitch out.
"Unexpected item in the bagging area."
What item? I didn’t even put anything in the bagging area.
The guy behind me sighs loudly, a kind of sigh that carries judgment. A cashier glances over, clearly debating whether I’m worth the rescue effort. And I am two seconds away from walking out and living without groceries forever (A worse situation for an introvert).
This is exactly how people work. Not just self-checkouts people. Confusing, frustrating, often malfunctioning at the worst possible time. Saying one thing, meaning another, Clinging to bad ideas. Reacting in ways that make no sense.
So, here are five things that explain way too much about why humans act the way they do.
1. People Believe What They Already Believe—Even If It’s Wrong
Once people form an opinion, they’re done.
Say someone thinks the moon landing was fake. You show them photos. Videos. Astronaut testimonies. You bring Neil Armstrong back from the grave to explain it in person.
And yet, they still don’t change their mind.
This happens because people don’t actually form opinions based on logic. They form opinions first, and then hunt for justifications afterward.
This is why arguing on the internet is a waste of oxygen.
People will ignore any proof that doesn’t fit their worldview. They will convince themselves that anything disagreeing with them is a hoax. They will die on the dumbest hills, simply because those hills feel familiar.
So, if you want someone to rethink something? You can’t shove facts at them. You have to make them feel like they’re discovering the truth on their own.
Otherwise, good luck.
2. Most Arguments Aren’t About What They Seem to Be About
Ok, so, two people are yelling about who left the kitchen light on. You think, wow, big deal, electricity isn’t even that expensive. But what’s actually happening? A whole mess and they know deep down, it’s never about that.
Instead of, "I feel like you ignore me," or, "I don’t think you respect what I do around here," people are throwing accusations about a 40-watt bulb.
Like, that one guy online who will absolutely lose his mind if you say the wrong season of a show was the best one, Say Friends peaked after season five, and now he’s typing an essay, calling you objectively wrong, listing every episode where you’re clearly an idiot.
He’s not actually mad about sitcom rankings. He’s mad that he had a favorite show with his ex, and now she’s gone, or maybe life used to be simpler when he watched it, and now it’s not. But instead of dealing with that, he’s here, turning a TV debate into the hill he will die on.
So if you ever—no, wait, scratch that, when you find yourself in a stupid argument, stop. Ask yourself: What’s actually going on here? Because, 9 times out of 10, the real issue is hiding underneath the nonsense.
3. People Only Remember How You Made Them Feel, The Words Are Just Background Noise
Most people’s memory is garbage nowadays.
You probably don’t remember the exact words your best teacher said, but you remember feeling confident in their class. You don’t recall the speeches of the worst teacher, but you remember the knot in your stomach when they walked in the room.
That’s because our brains are not efficient at filing textbook kind of information. It doesn’t store “this person said this on this date.” It stores vibes.
So, if you want to be remembered in a good way, just don’t stress over finding the exact right words. Just don’t make people feel like garbage.
4. The More Choices You Offer, The Less People Decide
A grocery store sets up a jam-tasting station. Sometimes they offer six flavors, sometimes twenty-four.
More people stop at the station when there are 24 flavors.
But more people buy when there are six.
This is called The Paradox of Choice, an experiment from a very insightful book written by Psychologist Barry Schwartz.
This is why people can’t pick a show on Netflix for their next meal.
Too many options make us panic. and end up choosing something safe—or nothing at all.
This is why stores put “bestsellers” sections at the front. It’s why restaurant menus highlight “chef’s picks.”
So, if you need someone to make a decision then Make it easier for them. Cut the options in half. They will at least think about it. Or, at the very least, they’ll stop hovering over the menu like it’s a life or death situation.
5. Always Give Someone a Way Out, Saving Face Defuses Disagreements
So, you’re arguing with someone. You have every fact lined up. You could absolutely bury them under a mountain of proof.
And yet.
Instead of backing down, they dig in harder. Get defensive. Maybe even double their nonsense just to avoid admitting they were wrong.
This is not about facts anymore. This is about ego survival.
People will burn bridges, friendships, and their own dignity just to avoid looking dumb.
So, if you actually want to change someone’s mind, don’t back them into a corner. Instead of saying, "You're completely wrong," say something like, "I used to think that too, but then I saw this thing that made me rethink it."
Now, instead of admitting defeat, they can take the route and change their opinion without feeling like a loser.
Bonus: If You Want Someone To Accept A Critique, Sandwich It Between Compliments
People hate being told they’re wrong.
But they accept criticism better when it’s sandwiched between compliments.
If you throw a compliment in first, they will relax just enough to hear what you’re about to say.
For example:
Terrible approach: "This is bad."
Slightly better approach: "This is bad, but at least you tried."
Best approach: "This is a great start. The concept is strong. Just one little tweak might push it even further."
That last one feels less like an attack, and more like advice.
This is the trick teachers, bosses, and con artists have been using for centuries.
It works. So use it.
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Thank you!
just great advice ! thank you