Mind games

Think you control your choices? Science says think again

Image: MacDonald Almeida

We like to think we’re in control of our choices, but free will may be more illusion than reality. From brain chemistry to social conditioning, powerful forces shape our behavior long before we become aware of them. While there is still room for change and spontaneous decisions, we are often "hijacked" by unconscious processes. Here are 10 factors that make us more predictable than we might think.

Image: Shawn Day

Just like a quick-draw gunslinger, the brain knows what to do long before we consciously decide to act. Neuroscientist Benjamin Libet’s famous experiments in the 1980s showed that brain activity spikes before a person becomes aware of their decision to move.

In these studies, participants were asked to flex their wrists at random moments. Their brains exhibited a "readiness potential"—a buildup of neural activity—up to 500 milliseconds before they reported having made the decision to move. This suggests that the brain initiates actions before the conscious mind "decides."

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According to some scientists, genetic makeup may influence many personal characteristics—from impulsivity to political beliefs—effectively narrowing the kinds of decisions we're likely to make.

This doesn’t mean our genes entirely shackle us, but they do seem to play a significant role in shaping personality. Twin studies have shown that traits such as risk-taking, patience, and even religiosity may have heritable components.

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Though it may seem obvious, early environments—such as nutrition, stress levels, and parenting—play a powerful role in shaping neural development and future decision-making ability.

Children raised in poverty or wartime conditions show differences in prefrontal cortex development, changes that might affect life choices for decades.

Image: Maxim Berg

Certain "pleasure chemicals" in the brain—especially dopamine—can heavily steer decision-making without conscious input.

When we anticipate a reward, dopamine surges in brain regions like the striatum, which are involved in evaluating actions and outcomes. This biases us toward actions with immediate gratification—even when we "know better."

Image: Mathew MacQuarrie

Once formed, habits bypass conscious deliberation and begin to operate automatically.

Research shows up to 40% of daily actions are driven by habit. The basal ganglia stores these patterns, allowing us to function on autopilot without making active choices.

Image: Robina Weermeijer

Patients with severed corpus callosums reveal how the brain constructs post-hoc justifications for actions.

In split-brain studies, when one hemisphere initiates an action, the other often makes up a reason for it, demonstrating that we sometimes confabulate explanations rather than make fully conscious, deliberate choices.

Image: Chris Zhang

Sometimes, messages received below conscious awareness can still affect behavior.

In controlled studies, priming participants with certain words or images—such as "elderly" or "money"—can alter their actions and choices, even though they don’t realize it happened.

Image: Михаил Секацкий

We’re wired to mimic others, often without realizing it. While this begins as a survival trait linked to learning in early childhood, its powerful influence can shape our behavior later in life.

First discovered in monkeys and later observed in humans, mirror neurons fire when we see others perform actions. This automatic imitation affects behavior, learning, and even emotional responses—all without conscious intention.

Image: Wesley Tingey

The more choices we make, the worse our judgment tends to become over time.

For example, studies have shown that judges are more likely to grant parole early in the day. By afternoon, mental exhaustion sets in, and denial rates spike.

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Culture shapes our values, desires, and what choices are considered acceptable from birth onward.

Whether you believe in individualism or collectivism, what foods you enjoy, or how you define success—all these are shaped by your cultural environment long before conscious reasoning takes hold.

TALKIN' THE TALK

From The 1930s To Today: 10 Slang Words That Defined The Decades

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Fashions are always changing, and everyday language is no exception to this rule. Have you listened to teenagers talk lately? Their vocabulary is full of words we don't quite understand. But come on, we did it too: every decade has had its own set of slang words and expressions. Have you ever said "Bread," "Radical," or "Talk to the hand"? Today, we'll look back at 10 slang words and expressions that have defined each decade from the 1930s to today! Let's "chillax" and read!

Image: Nathan Bingle

This phrase originated in the early 20th century but reached its peak popularity in the 1930s. What does a monkey have to do with your uncle or with being surprised? Well, those are some of the questions that have come to mind because "I'll be a monkey's uncle" was used to express great surprise, as if to say, "I can't believe this!"

And wait until you hear its origin. The expression is believed to have arisen in response to Charles Darwin's theory of human evolution! Someone very shocked-and probably not understanding Darwin's proposal- might have said, "Well, if humans and apes are related, then I'll be a monkey's uncle!"

Image: Tim Mossholder

Fortunately, we have thousands of ways to express affection to those we love, and giving a "smooch" is one of them.

The origins of the slang "smooch" are disputed, but it is believed to have emerged sometime before the 1940s in America, appearing as an onomatopoeic imitation of the sound an affectionate kiss makes. Other sources suggest that the term arises from an adaptation of the British English dialectal verb "to smouch," meaning to kiss.

In general, this slang expresses much love and care. So, have you "smooched" today?

Image: Alexander Dummer

While this expression may seem like the title of a horror movie or the name of some strange insect that lives in the jungle, its actual meaning is much cuter than that.

"Ankle bitter" rose to popularity in the 1950s to refer to toddlers. It makes sense: they are just starting to walk, and they're still tiny, very close to the floor, and, well, also close to our ankles.

As time went by, the expression also began to be used to refer to another type of creature that can get close to - and literally bite - our ankles: that's right, puppies!

Image: Pepi Stojanovski

Have you ever been ready to pay for something and suddenly realized you didn't have any "bread"? What? Wait, let us explain.

While it appeared for the first time many years earlier, the term "bread" became popular in the 1960s, particularly among young people, to refer to cash or money in general.

Many sources suggest that the term originated from an association between money as a primary means of subsistence and bread as the basic food. While it's still used, it's not as widespread as it once was.

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If someone tells you a story that is too good to be true, you've probably encountered a "jive turkey."

Originated in African-American Vernacular English and popularized in the 1970s, this expression is used to describe someone who is not entirely honest, cheats to get what they want, makes empty promises, or someone who just says things that aren't totally true.

The term "jive" had already been slang in its own right for a few decades and was used to describe people who were frivolous or simply deceitful. The 1970s came along to give some more charm and humor to the expression. Thus, the word "turkey" was added. Does any jive turkey come to mind?

Image: Isai Ramos

Besides spandex, big hairstyles, and neon colors, the 80s had a good variety of slang terms, many of which survive to this day.

One of the most popular slang words of those years was "radical." The term initially gained popularity among surfers and skateboarders in the California area, who used it to describe something too cool, awesome, or impressive, like a "radical wave."

Over time, the expression transcended the sport and started popping up everywhere.

Image: Zan Lazarevic

If there is something more nineties than grunge and low-rise pants, it is this slang phrase.

"Talk to the hand" was a popular saying among 90s youth, particularly associated with the stereotypical "cheerleader girl" style. However, with the term appearing in many popular movies and sitcoms of the time, it gained ground in popular culture.

When someone responded, "Talk to the hand," it basically meant they didn't care what you had to say or that they weren't going to listen. If you plan to use this expression, remember the most important part: you must accompany it with the classic raised hand gesture.

Image: Brian Lundquist

But it's not only movies and TV that influence the way we talk; music does, too. So it was back in the late 1990s and early 2000s when hip-hop culture gave birth to the term "bling," remember?

"Bling" (or "bling-bling" if you were really cool) was slang for jewelry. But not just any jewelry; the term specifically referred to the big, shiny pieces typical among popular rappers and hip-hop artists of the time. In fact, the expression is also found in the titles and lyrics of many of their songs.

As time went by -and as it usually happens- the word expanded its meaning to refer to an ostentatious or luxurious lifestyle. The fame of "bling" was such that it was eventually added to many dictionaries.

Image: Oziel Gómez

For several years now, another significant factor has been shaping our lexicon: social media. If you were online in the 2010s, you definitely read or heard the term "bae."

This slang expression has two theories about its origins: the first claims that the word arises as a short form of "babe" or "baby." The second holds that "bae" means "before anyone else." As you might guess, the expression refers to a significant other, such as a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The term is believed to have originated specifically on Twitter (now "X"), following a viral tweet that used it.

Image: Kilyan Sockalingum

This term has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, being present in music, Instagram, and TikTok.

When someone says something like "I'm serious, no cap," it means they're stating the truth or being honest. On the other hand, when the expression is just "cap," it implies the opposite, a lie or exaggeration, such as "They say he's the greatest quarterback ever, but that's cap."

Some theories propose the term originates from the gesture of removing your hat or cap as a sign of respect and authenticity. Would you use it?