This is not far fetched at all! So just getting on someones last nerve is a form of mental conditioning! I played a lot of golf with a fella that used to commiserate with every poor shot I hit! I think his little verbal trigger (Manchurian Candidate that I was) "Isn't that the darndest thing, huh?" Eventually I broke down and responded "What is so ****ing surprising about a snap hook into the weeds you ****er!" Needless to say our golfing relationship ended. I am glad to know that my rude response was not my fault! The ****er made me do it!
For the record I like Matthew's brand. Scotsmen are mankind's gadflies! If there was never someone pointing my idiocy out I may think of myself as a finished product...dangerous thought!