Is it normal to lock the door, walk five steps, and immediately doubt whether i locked the door?
Have you ever caught yourself doing this and wondered if you're the only one? It turns out this bizarre quirk is a heavily studied psychological phenomenon. Cast your vote below to see how common you are, and scroll down to read the science behind it.
Have you ever done this?
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The Psychology Behind This Habit
Article Overview
- The psychology behind this habits
- Evolutionary advantages and origins
- Modern implications & studies
The habit of locking the door, walking five steps, and immediately doubting whether the door was locked is a common phenomenon. This behaviour can be attributed to the way our brain processes automatic actions. Automatic behaviours like locking doors are processed in procedural memory, which is a type of long-term memory responsible for storing skills and routines. Since the action of locking the door is an automatic behaviour, it does not create a strong episodic memory trace, which is the type of memory that stores specific events and experiences.
As a result, the individual may not have a clear memory of locking the door, leading to doubt and uncertainty. This uncertainty is not irrational, but rather a result of the brain's processing mechanisms. The lack of a clear episodic memory trace makes it difficult for the individual to recall the specific action of locking the door, triggering the doubt.
"Human behavior is rarely random. Even our strangest quirks are deeply rooted in evolutionary biology and social preservation."
This habit highlights the complex interplay between different types of memory and their impact on our daily behaviours. By understanding the psychological mechanisms behind this habit, we can gain insight into the workings of our brain and develop strategies to overcome such doubts and uncertainties.
Sources & Verification
OddlyHuman Psychology Team
VerifiedWritten and fact-checked by the OddlyHuman Behavioral Science Team. We verify all psychological, sociological, and historical claims against peer-reviewed journals, primary sources, and established encyclopedias to bring you accurate insights.
Read our Editorial Guidelines →The word "automatic" comes from the Greek automatos, meaning acting of itself — the brain designed routine actions to run on autopilot to free up conscious resources.