It's the modern-day conundrum: You went into the store for one item and came back out with at least three shopping bags worth of goods you didn't need.

Back in your car, you ponder, "How did this happen, yet again?"

In order to answer this question, AJ+ asked Jonah Sachs, the founder of Free Range Studios, to lay out some of the psychological tactics used in commercials and advertising.

From creating campaigns consumers can identify with to promoting a 'gap' of need and brainwashing people to believe they don't have – or aren't – enough, following are the 4 main ways advertisers trick you into buying stuff you really don't need.

Basically, advertisers instill in consumers the fear of missing out, along with the message that "You suck, and if you don't buy this product, you're not going to be rich enough, smart enough, hot enough, etc…"