Is defying a sign psychological or just being ornery?
From Sept. 12, 2005: Whenever I see a sign that says “Do not touch” or “Do not cross here” or some similar prohibition, I have a huge urge to do what it says not to do. Why is that?
Maybe you are just contrary. Many of you people seem to be.
I suppose we could start out with a discussion of original sin, but I really don’t want to go down that road.
One idea about what makes you do the things you shouldn’t is called reactance theory. This holds that if people believe their freedom to choose to do or not do something is threatened, they will do the opposite of what they’re told.
I found a reference to a 1976 study in which researchers put up two signs up in college bathrooms. One said “Do not write on these walls under any circumstances” and other said, “Please don’t write on these walls.” Guess which wall had the most graffiti when they went back to check?
The first one, which sounded more threatening.
And, people who argue for legalizing some recreational drugs say that would actually reduce drug use because of the reactance theory. It’s kind of a forbidden-fruit thing.
The reactance theory also is involved in something called paradoxical interventions. Say you and missus are always fighting so you go to a counselor who hears you out and then tells you to go home and keep fighting. Chances are you are going to go home and not fight, just to be ornery.
With all that in mind, I absolutely forbid you to read the next question. What is the origin of the phrase “to quit cold turkey?”
One piece I read said it comes from the idea that a drug addict in withdrawal may look like a cold plucked turkey. Another idea is that it came from the phrase “to talk turkey,” meaning to speak bluntly. In that sense, cold turkey would mean facing the hard, cold facts.
Or it could have to do with the fact that a piece of cold turkey doesn’t require a lot of preparation. So to quit cold turkey is to quit without preparation.