The decision trap : understanding the psychology behind your choices

Do you ever find yourself scrolling social media far longer than you meant to? Reaching for sweets at the till without thinking? Getting swept up in the excitement of yet another invented shopping “holiday”?

It’s no accident. Every day, the choices we make—what we buy, click, watch and believe—are subtly steered by psychological tactics operating just below our awareness. These decision traps are built into the apps we use, the shops we visit and the systems we rely on.

But once you know what to look for, you can step out of their reach.

Psychologist Niklas Laninge and designer Arvid Janson have spent years working with the very tools used to shape consumer behaviour. In The Decision Trap, they turn the spotlight on their own industry, revealing the hidden mechanisms that guide our choices without us realising. With clarity, insight and a touch of dry humour, they show how these forces work—and how to resist them.

This is a sharp, empowering guide for anyone who wants to make better decisions, avoid everyday pitfalls and live a more intentional, less manipulated life.