The trick is not the large popcorn. It is the middle option that makes the large feel obvious.
The decoy effect, also called asymmetrically dominated choice, happens when a worse third option is placed near the seller's preferred option so that the preferred option looks like the rational deal. In this episode, the movie-theater popcorn board is an illustrative scene: $5 small, $8 medium, $9 large. The medium is not there because it is the best choice. It is there because it changes the comparison.
The resistance move: delete the decoy. Compare the cheapest acceptable option against the option you actually want, then decide again.