Every person has experienced it at least once. You finish getting ready, leave the house and then someone points it out. Your shirt buttons don't line up. Suddenly, you wonder how such a simple mistake happened. After all, buttoning a shirt is one of the most familiar activities humans perform. Psychology suggests the answer is surprisingly interesting. People who occasionally button their shirts incorrectly are usually not careless, lazy or absent-minded. In many cases, their brains are simply operating on automatic mode while juggling dozens of other thoughts. The mistake itself may reveal more about modern life than about a person's intelligence. Several psychological theories help explain why this common wardrobe error happens.
Automatic Processing Makes The Brain Run On Autopilot
One of the biggest explanations comes from Automatic Processing Theory. The human brain is designed to conserve energy. Once we repeat a task enough times, it no longer requires deep concentration.
Activities such as brushing teeth, tying shoelaces and buttoning shirts become automatic habits. Researchers at University College London have extensively studied habit formation and found that repeated behaviors gradually become automated over time. The problem is that automation also increases the chance of small errors.
