Psychology, Deception, and Trust Unveiled in What The Traitors
The much-anticipated Irish version of the hit TV show, The Traitors, is set to premiere on Sunday, September 15, 2024. The show, a masterclass in human manipulation and a field day for psychologists, features Fiona, Gary, and Maurice as the three Traitors.
The Traitors is not just another reality TV show; it's a game where contestants' ability to read others and decide if they can be trusted is crucial for their decisions. Contestants, skilled at portraying social information to achieve what they want, find themselves in a web of deception and betrayal, all in the pursuit of a large cash prize.
Social identity theory comes into play as people tend to divide others into 'us' and 'them' groups. Early in the game, it's better to be random or ignore gut feelings when pointing out a potential Traitor. However, decisions based on gut feelings can be functional and adaptive when there's little information, but they can be wrong in situations where deception is prevalent.
Contestants on The Traitors are also vulnerable to confirmation bias, where they make decisions based on small pieces of information. Connections formed early in the game can significantly impact contestants' feelings about each other's trustworthiness. In episode one, Niall, 25, forms a strong connection with Michele, which impacts his feelings about her being a Traitor or a Faithful.
The somatic marker hypothesis suggests that emotional experiences in life leave somatic markers, influencing our interpretation of situations in the future. This is evident in The Traitors, as decisions based on gut feelings can be influenced by past experiences. However, the gut feeling isn't always accurate in the early stages of the game, especially when people have explicit motivations to deceive.
Staying in the middle of the game strategy can be a wise strategy early on to avoid detection by the Traitors. Contestants forming groups quickly due to feelings of vulnerability and nervousness is a common occurrence. In episode one, contestants largely agreed on one person to eliminate, who ended up being a Faithful, causing regret.
Brendan Rooney, Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Psychology and Director of the Media and Entertainment Psychology Lab, has analysed the show's impact on human psychology. He believes that The Traitors provides a unique insight into how people make decisions under uncertainty and the role of emotions in these decisions.
In conclusion, The Traitors Ireland is more than just a game show; it's a psychological experiment that tests our ability to read others, trust our gut feelings, and navigate a world filled with deception and betrayal. Tune in on Sunday, September 15, 2024, to witness the drama unfold.
