Spotlight Effect

The pressure to maintain our reputation can create intense moments where saying no feels nearly impossible, akin to a stadium proposal. Vanessa explains how everyday situations, like being asked to give up a seat or take on extra work, can evoke this "mini stadium proposal" effect, making us feel as if we are under a spotlight. This stems from our egocentric bias, which leads us to believe that we are the center of attention, even when no one is watching.