Saying “yes” when we really want to say “no” is a common behavior that seems to accompany many people. Whether our boss offers us an extra job when we can’t handle it anymore, if our friends ask us out for drinks but we’re too tired to want to, or if we’re “overloaded” with responsibilities that we can’t really handle, the compulsion to agree often seems automatic. But why do we do it, and what are the consequences for our mental and physical health? Research is shedding light on this behavior, revealing the psychological and social reasons behind our tendency to conform, even when it’s against our best interests.
The psychology behind "yes"
