Packing for a trip can turn even the most organized person into a checker. The passport is in the bag, but you look again. The charger is packed, yet you unzip the suitcase to make sure. You may check the same pocket several times before leaving home, even though nothing has changed. Psychology suggests that this behavior is not always about having a poor memory. For some people, repeated checking can serve as a way of managing uncertainty and obtaining reassurance. The important psychological question may not be “Did I pack everything?” but “Can I feel completely certain that I packed everything?” Research on intolerance of uncertainty, safety-seeking behavior and memory confidence helps explain why one check can sometimes turn into two, three or five.
