Psychology team analyses shocking events in Celebrity Traitors opening episodes

Dr Kevin Hochard, Dr Clea Wright and Dr Connor Pell have recorded a new podcast in the team’s Psychology Of… series, examining the first two episodes of the hit show which features such celebrities as Richard E Grant, Ross Kemp, Jerry Hall and James Acaster competing for the £100,000 jackpot for their chosen charities. The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, pits selected ‘Traitors’ against ‘Faithfuls’ among games of deception and social deduction.

In the new podcast, Kevin discusses the response inhibition to Richard E Grant blurting out he is a ‘Traitor’, with Connor speculating the actor had made a “failed joke” to comedian Joe Lycett, while Clea – who had previously predicted Richard would be an “evil genius” – has since downgraded her expectations.

Relatedly, Clea discusses how several celebrities talked about underplaying their intelligence as a tactic for the show, while also talking about the ‘warmth dimension’ as a reason why fellow contestants chose to give Julie Hesmondhalgh a shield, preventing her from being ‘murdered’ in the first round.

Kevin said: “From Richard E Grant’s slip-up to James Acaster’s successful pitch to becoming a Traitor, it’s been a remarkable opening couple of episodes to the series, with plenty for us to discuss.

“We can’t wait to see how this series unfolds, and will be continuing to analyse the episodes as they play out.”

To listen to the Psychology team’s new podcast – and to catch up on all their previous episodes on The Traitors and its celebrity spin-off, visit: the Psychology Of... on Spotify. The series also includes episodes on The Psychology Of… different subjects such as crime, humour, the football World Cup, reading fiction and families.

More information on studying Psychology at the University of Chester can be found here.

Image: Left to right, Dr Kevin Hochard, Dr Clea Wright and Dr Connor Pell.