- Studies have found that people are less likely to steal if they see themselves
- One in 1976 reported that the presence of mirrors affected ‘impulsivity’
- It claimed that participants ‘behaved with social desirability’ around mirrors
As the rate of retail theft continues to rise across the US, stores are taking a series of precautions to try to combat the growing problem – such as locking their products behind glass walls and implementing security robots.
But there is one particularly odd but simple tactic that has been put in place in an effort to reduce shoplifting – the placement of a mirror at self-checkout stations.
That’s right, if you ever notice your reflection when you ring up your products, it’s not just there so you can make sure you look good—it’s actually there to make potential robbers feel guilty.
According to several studies, people are much less likely to do something bad when they can see themselves in a mirror.
The Real Reason Self-Checkouts Revealed Mirrors: According to several studies, people are much less likely to do something bad when they can see their own reflection (stock image)
“People behave in accordance with social desirability in the presence of mirrors,” one 1976 study found. ‘Mirrors Influence Impulsivity’ (stock image)
“People act in accordance with social desirability in the presence of mirrors,” one study found from 1976.
“Mirrors influence impulsivity, a trait closely related to decision-making in both social and non-social situations.”
The study stated that ‘participants’ private self-awareness was activated by the mirrors’, influencing their ‘decision-making as a non-social cue’ during the experiment.
It concluded that people ‘are more likely to behave cooperatively and conform to social norms’ when they can see their own reflections.
One more study conducted by the University of East Anglia reported that even encouraging drivers to self-reflect on a warning sign could increase the number of people who followed the suggestion.
They experimented by placing a roadside sign prompting those behind the wheel to turn off their engines while waiting for a train to pass a level crossing.
When the sign read, ‘If barriers are down, turn off your engine,’ 30 percent of people listened, but when it added the words, ‘Think of yourself,’ that rose to 51 percent.
While stores have never officially addressed why they have mirrors at their self-checkout counters, Bumped reported last year that this was indeed the latest attempt to prevent hacking by making people ‘more aware of their own behaviour.’
People have long discussed the presence of mirrors at self-checkout counters on Reddit, with many believing they are there to ‘increase self-awareness’ and prevent theft
Additionally, people have been discussing the presence of mirrors at self-checkout stations on Reddit for years, and many agreed with this theory.
“A study in social psychology suggested that people tip more and are less likely to steal when a large set of eyes, like a painting, is placed near the patron,” one user explained.
‘It is thought to increase self-awareness. Mirrors are also effective in increasing awareness of the self.
“Perhaps shoppers at Walmart will be less likely to shoplift when presented with their image after every move.”
“The reason they put up mirrors at Walmart and other stores is actually quite interesting, it’s derived from psychology,” someone else wrote.
“They think people will question their own self-concept regarding morals and think twice about stealing.”
‘It reduces theft. Or at least it’s supposed to,’ another person agreed. ‘This is why there are so many mirrors in hotel rooms. Reduce damage.’
The National Bureau of Economic Research reported this year, shoplifting has risen by 32 percent since self-checkout was introduced.