Reality check: three gripping shows that reveal the psychology of competition

Over the past few weeks, I've swapped my usual line-up for some gripping reality TV competition shows on Netflix

Think "Survivor", "The Mole" or "The Circle", but with a more refreshing take on things. And if I'm being honest, there were so many notable insights into human behaviour.

First up was "Battle Camp", a mix of "Survivor" and "Wheel of Fortune", where the contestants are well-known stars from other shows such as "Squid Game: The Challenge", "Selling The OC" and "Too Hot to Handle".

After being divided into teams, the Wolves, the Bears, and the Eagles, they feature in a mix of hair-raising physical challenges, group votes, and strategic gameplay to avoid elimination.

Ultimately, contestants will need to be unbeatable, unbreakable and unhateable to have the chance of winning $250 000 (around R4.5 million).

The show is a perfect blend of fun and nail-biting suspense.  

Next up, "Million Dollar Secret".

Hosted by British comedian Peter Serafinowicz, the series features twelve contestants, one of whom is secretly awarded a $1 000 000 prize at the start of the game.

The contestant who finds it becomes the "Millionaire" and must conceal their identity for the duration of the game. 

The remaining contestants, known as "Hunters", aim to hunt down who is secretly holding the prize money.

At the end of each episode, players vote to "lock out" the person they most suspect. If the Millionaire is eliminated, the money is re-hidden in a new box, and the game continues.

Throughout the game, players must participate in trust-based challenges, alliance-building exercises, and "Secret Agendas," which are private missions that can influence power and suspicion in the house.

The show incorporates elements of strategy, emotional intelligence and psychological deception.

Then, "The Trust: A Game of Greed", heightened my fascination.

Eleven strangers are offered $250 000 to split equally among themselves or to eliminate each other and eventually receive more money for themselves. 

Contestants play games that can add money to the prize pot. These include games that reveal secrets about each other or games that ask them to reveal their voting history.

Some contestants are offered access to "The Vault", which allows them to take an offer which could benefit themselves or the group.

"The Trust" explores human behaviour and psychology.