Connect with us

The Surprising Psychology Behind Your Urge to Break the Rules | Paul Bloom | TED

We all experience it: that desire to do something wrong just for the sake of it. Whether it’s walking on manicured grass or sticking your finger in a friend’s ice cream, psychologist Paul Bloom invites us to see the clever, creative and beautiful side of these minor impulses to do bad. He dives into the…

Published

on

We all experience it: that desire to do something wrong just for the sake of it. Whether it’s walking on manicured grass or sticking your finger in a friend’s ice cream, psychologist Paul Bloom invites us to see the clever, creative and beautiful side of these minor impulses to do bad. He dives into the psychology behind this all-too-human condition — and proposes that it helps make our world a little more unpredictable and fun.

If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas:

Follow TED!
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:

The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

Watch more:

TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at

#TED #TEDTalks #psychology

Continue Reading
Advertisement
34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. Lívia Santos

    March 20, 2023 at 8:04 am

    Taylor Swift already knew that when she said “they say I did something bad, then why’s it feel so good?”

  2. Mohamed Adam

    March 20, 2023 at 8:06 am

    This guy is my man????????❤

  3. Marcus Eli Ravage

    March 20, 2023 at 8:27 am

    Perversity is our strength.

  4. soberhippie

    March 20, 2023 at 8:50 am

    Once, when we were children, a friend of mine bought a cone of ice cream. I made the arm movement that, if unchecked, would have knocked the ice cream out if his hand, but my intent was just to threaten, to cause a bit of anxiety, so i stopped my hand centimetres away from the actual cone. However, my friend automatically squeezed the cone so hard, that the ice cream slipped out of it. It was quite funny

  5. Patrick Goldsmith

    March 20, 2023 at 8:50 am

    Is this how/why the GQP attracts folks to vote against their own self-interest? Or the Gov. of Florida can display rabid misanthropy?

  6. Interferenzbrille _

    March 20, 2023 at 8:59 am

    “Telling people: ‘What you do is stupid, irrational, immoral’ can have the paradoxical effect of motivating them to do exactly what you don’t want them to do.”

    • oceandizzle7

      March 20, 2023 at 6:14 pm

      If only the government/state got that memo on certain topics. ????????????‍♀️

  7. LulaLeeful

    March 20, 2023 at 9:13 am

    I may find this compelling if sources referenced were representative of populations current and past.

  8. Fu'n Videos

    March 20, 2023 at 9:38 am

    Entertaining. I stayed focused on this one.

  9. Scottius Nevious

    March 20, 2023 at 10:09 am

    I only get this urge when i know i can piss off the person who pissed me off.

  10. Sol

    March 20, 2023 at 10:18 am

    Paul Bloom, a good speaker and teacher. I always find what he talks about interesting. I used to watch his university lessons on YouTube

    • HaltonHannom

      March 21, 2023 at 3:29 am

      I’m currently in his Intro Psych class at U of T. His lectures are interesting, he keeps the students engaged and has a good sense of humour.

  11. Andy Cordy

    March 20, 2023 at 10:48 am

    I certainly agree that perversity can be creative, and had I the power I would not eradicate it, however when we see phenomenon like the alt-right, Q-anon and the epidemic of deliberate spreading of mistrust in science, I get concerned.

  12. Clementine

    March 20, 2023 at 10:59 am

    Very interesting stuff.

  13. Teddy Dotson

    March 20, 2023 at 11:03 am

    I want it to be so hot outside that everyone is upset about the weather. I dislike the rain, cold weather is too wet.

    • Teddy Dotson

      March 20, 2023 at 11:04 am

      I would like a second sun…

  14. Libertiner

    March 20, 2023 at 11:35 am

    he is not a fucking comedian, but people laugh if they is attending a standup show……wierd

  15. Mark Dowse

    March 20, 2023 at 1:34 pm

    I like to think.
    I also want to watch the world GROW. More green is better than less green.

    M ????????????

  16. Home Wall

    March 20, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    Rules are meant to be broken. If they were not, then the rule wouldn’t exist.

  17. george h

    March 20, 2023 at 2:37 pm

    Being told not to tell people what to do because they’ll do the opposite makes me want to do the opposite of what you told me to do.

  18. edi

    March 20, 2023 at 6:58 pm

    Really an interesting talk. As an Austrian, I really got a thing for malicious compliance… There’s no bigger joy for me than to show people how stupid certain laws or orders are and bonus points if someone can be coaxed into a discussion or making a decision, where he only has bad options unless he accepts that his values are stupid… (like that one legend who pretended to be a tr@ns woman with giant br3asts and deliberately became an embarrassment so that he got paid to do nothing!)
    I got quite an inhibition in destroying beautiful things, rare things, or very old things, but as a kid, I did engage in vandalism, but that was targeting things that already offended me in my anarchistic sense of beauty… Besides the malicious compliance, the one thing that I need to watch out for is the joy of manipulating others and corrupting them in petty ways. The most harmless example is to get someone to laugh at a politically incorrect joke, but it can take a dark turn pretty fast…
    Thus, thinking about it, it’s mostly a reactionary desire to fight back against a culture I cannot identify myself with, especially when it feels oppressive or stupid. Moreover, showcasing hypocrisy is clearly a big part of the joy, besides breaking the taboo by proxy…

  19. This isn't allowed

    March 20, 2023 at 7:03 pm

    I think this is important because everytime someone does something bad, people always excuse them “oh it’s because they were abused as a child” or “hurt people hurt people”. I don’t think this is entirely false either, but saying that no one is perverted or enjoy hurting others is just a lie and distorsion of reality.

  20. John L

    March 20, 2023 at 9:55 pm

    Weird I use this chaos scale to do good instead of evil, example when someone tells me I would never pass the test I would study twice as hard just to prove them wrong.

    • Jakub Anderwald

      March 21, 2023 at 2:36 am

      In dungeons and dragons RPG game that’s two different scales. Order/chaos and good/evil. In that system you would be called as chaotic-good 🙂

  21. Phố Nguyễn Từ Hợp

    March 20, 2023 at 9:55 pm

    When I was young, my mother alway ban me don’t do thing this, or don’t do thing that. Finally, I often do it in the dark. It thing made me funy and happy. Nowaday, when I am a mother, I don’t ban my son. Due to I know, everything I must not him, he will do when don’t have me there. The lesson first I learn this video, in my mind alway two part, angle and devil. The devil will appear if we refuse it. The lesson second, If I reply violent, violent will attack, If i accep it, it will go away.

  22. Differences

    March 21, 2023 at 12:04 am

    “I am the girl who spends hours huddled in a corner of a library, trying to find what you love the most about Marlowe, just so I can write you a poem worthy of Shakespeare. I’ve made books my lovers, hours my enemies and you the only story.”
    ―

  23. Differences

    March 21, 2023 at 12:04 am

    Just follow me for education purpose

  24. Samson Fernendez

    March 21, 2023 at 1:53 am

    People who eat animals: “we just want to watch the world burn”

  25. M W

    March 21, 2023 at 4:39 am

    The people reaction is the main culprit that urge others to do the stupid things they do. Stupid Youtube and Tiktok videos are the best examples why these urges are increasing.

  26. Rashmi Dhakal

    March 21, 2023 at 7:59 am

    ❤

  27. Jackson Carson

    March 21, 2023 at 11:24 am

    Snap! He didn’t follow through on the perversion scale thing. Was that a perverse act in itself? ????

  28. Happy Snappy Chappy

    March 21, 2023 at 5:45 pm

    with the Diplomatic situation – if your adversary says “you sanction me – I will terrorise you” then you say “See? I KNEW he was a baddie!!! Let’s hit him before he gets a chance.

  29. Sylar

    March 21, 2023 at 6:19 pm

    Thanks Paul, just gave me a little more motivation to continue writing my choas inspired book about either helping others or watching the world burn.

    Great talk, recently listened to Paul Bloom and Sam Harris on a podcast about empathy too. Was very interesting

  30. Greyskull McBeef

    March 22, 2023 at 4:05 pm

    “Dont bully people” somehow sounds like a loss of freedom to many people

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CNET

SpaceX Catches Starship for the First Time Ending Flight Test 15

SpaceX makes history by catching Starship 42 back on the launch pad in Starbase, Texas. This marks the first ever catch of Starship for SpaceX after a successful deployment of 26 Starlink satellites and 14 orbits around the Earth. Read more about SpaceX Starship on CNET.com SpaceX Attempts History Friday With the First-Ever Double Catch…

Published

on

SpaceX makes history by catching Starship 42 back on the launch pad in Starbase, Texas. This marks the first ever catch of Starship for SpaceX after a successful deployment of 26 Starlink satellites and 14 orbits around the Earth.

Read more about SpaceX Starship on CNET.com
SpaceX Attempts History Friday With the First-Ever Double Catch

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Watch Parties
1:24 Ship 42 Re-entry and Flight 15 Overview
2:52 Final Approach and Gulf Divert Gate
4:46 Sonic Boom and Landing Countdown
5:25 Ship Landing Burn and Mechazilla Catch
6:36 Historic Catch Reaction and Wrap-Up

Video Credits:
Producer: Stephen Beacham
Thumbnail Designer: Stephen Beacham

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#spacex #space #starship #elonmusk #spacenews #spaceexploration

Continue Reading

CNET

Best Headphones and Earbuds to Gift in 2026 (Tested on Loud NYC Streets!)

CNET’s David Carnoy puts top earbuds through a real-world voice-calling test. And ZDNET’s Jada Jones and PCMag’s Eric Zeman pick their favorites, from the Sony WF-1000XM6 to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below Apple AirPods Pro 3 Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation Sony WF-1000XM6 Noise…

Published

on

CNET’s David Carnoy puts top earbuds through a real-world voice-calling test. And ZDNET’s Jada Jones and PCMag’s Eric Zeman pick their favorites, from the Sony WF-1000XM6 to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation
Sony WF-1000XM6 Noise Cancelling Earbuds (2026 Model)
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless Headphones
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless Earbuds
EarFun Air Pro 4 Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (2026)
Apple AirPods Max 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
JLab, Go Pods ANC, True Wireless Earbuds
*CNET may get a commission on these offers

Read more about it on CNET.com
CNET’s Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026
ZDNET’s best earbuds of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed
PCMag’s Best Wireless Earbuds for 2026

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 CNET’s David Carnoy Ending the Year a Little Differently
0:24 Voice Calling Test 1 – Airpods Pro 3
0:54 ZDNet’s Jada Jones Gives Her Favorites
3:00 Voice Calling Test 2 – Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5
3:29 PCMag’s Eric Zeman Tells us His Favorites of 2026
6:20 Voice Calling Test 3 – JLab Go Pods ANC
6:47 Voice Calling Test 4 – Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
7:13 Conclusion – What Do You Think?

Video Credits:
Host: David Carnoy, Jada Jones, Eric Zeman
Scripted by: David Carnoy, Jada Jones, Eric Zeman
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: John Schwartz, Numi Prasarn
Video Editor: Jonathan Angle
Thumbnail Designer: Cole Kan

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#best #wirelessearbuds #wirelessearphones #earbuds #airpods #appleairpodspro #galaxybuds #noisecancelingheadphones #headphones #wirelessheadphones

Continue Reading

CNET

Smart Kitchen Gadgets of 2026 That Are Actually Worth Your Counter Space

CNET’s JD puts five of the best smart kitchen gadgets of 2026 to the test to see which ones are actually worth your counter space. From plastic-free espresso makers to multipurpose air fryers, find out which tech upgrades deliver real convenience without adding clutter. You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below…

Published

on

CNET’s JD puts five of the best smart kitchen gadgets of 2026 to the test to see which ones are actually worth your counter space. From plastic-free espresso makers to multipurpose air fryers, find out which tech upgrades deliver real convenience without adding clutter.

You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Lavazza Tabli
Echo Show 15
Ninja Hydrasense Countertop Water Filter
Magnifique Combo Cooker
Tovala Smart Oven Pro
*CNET may get a commission on these offers

Read more about kitchen tech on CNET.com
The 47 Best Kitchen and Cookware Gifts, All Tested by CNET

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:12 Lavazza Tablì Plastic-Free Espresso Maker
1:37 Amazon Echo Show 15 Smart Display
2:51 Ninja HydraSense Countertop Water Filter
4:01 Magnifique Glass Air Fryer & Slow Cooker Combo
5:21 Tovala Smart Oven Pro
7:05 Final Thoughts

Video Credits:
Host: JD Christison
Scripted by: JD Christison
Producer: Owen Poole
Camera: Owen Poole
Video Editor: JD Christison
Thumbnail Designer: Tharon Green

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#kitchen #kitchengadgets #kitchentips #kitchenhacks #kitchentools #kitchenessentials

Continue Reading

Trending