The REAL reason self-checkouts have mirrors revealed: Inside the cunning tactic being used by stores in an attempt to prevent THEFT
- Studies have found that people are less likely to steal if they see themselves
- One in 1976 reported that the presence of mirrors influenced 'impulsivity'
- It claimed 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 - like locking their products behind glass walls and implementing security robots.
But there's one particularly strange but simple tactic that has been put in place in an attempt to diminish shoplifting - placing a mirror at self-checkout stations.
That's right, if you ever notice your reflection when ringing 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 multiple studies, people are a lot less likely to do something bad when they can see themselves in a mirror.
![The real reason self-checkouts have mirrors revealed: According to multiple studies, people are a lot less likely to do something bad when they can see their own reflection (stock image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/09/03/75824993-12559233-The_real_reason_self_checkouts_have_mirrors_revealed_According_t-a-5_1696818526825.jpg)
The real reason self-checkouts have mirrors revealed: According to multiple studies, people are a lot 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 study from 1976 found. 'Mirrors influence impulsivity' (stock image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/07/11/75825119-12559233-_People_behave_in_accordance_with_social_desirability_in_the_pre-a-172_1696676145419.jpg)
'People behave in accordance with social desirability in the presence of mirrors,' one study from 1976 found. 'Mirrors influence impulsivity' (stock image)
'People behave in accordance with social desirability in the presence of mirrors,' one study from 1976 found.
'Mirrors influence impulsivity, a feature that is 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,' which influenced their 'decision-making as a non-social cues' throughout the experiment.
It concluded that people are more 'likely to behave cooperatively and conform to social norms' when they can see their own reflections.
Another study performed by the University of East Anglia reported that even encouraging drivers to self-reflect on a warning sign could increase the amount of people who followed the suggestion.
They experimented by placing a sign on the side of the road that urged those behind the wheel to turn off their engines while waiting for a train to pass at a railroad crossing.
When the sign read, 'When barriers are down, switch off your engine,' 30 per cent of the people listened, but when it added the words, 'Think of yourself,' it rose to 51 per cent.
While stores have never officially addressed why they have mirrors at their self checkout counters, Mashed reported last year that it was indeed the latest attempt to prevent burglary by making people 'more aware of their own behavior.'
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![People have discussed the presence of mirrors at self-checkout counters in length on Reddit, and many believe they're there to 'increase self-consciousness' and prevent stealing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/07/11/75825063-12559233-People_have_discussed_the_presence_of_mirrors_at_self_checkout_c-a-171_1696676144814.jpg)
People have discussed the presence of mirrors at self-checkout counters in length on Reddit, and many believe they're there to 'increase self-consciousness' and prevent stealing
In addition, people have discussed the presence of mirrors at self-checkout stations in length on Reddit for years, and many have 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, such as a painting, are placed near the patron,' one user explained.
'It is thought to increase self-consciousness. Mirrors are also effective at raising the awareness of the self.
'Perhaps shoppers at Walmart will be less prone to theft when presented with their very image following their every move.'
'The reason they put mirrors up at Walmart and other stores is actually quite interesting, it is derived from psychology,' someone else wrote.
'They think people will question their own self-concept in relation to morals and think twice about stealing.'
'It reduces theft. Or at least it is supposed to,' another person agreed. 'That is why there are so many mirrors in hotel rooms. Reduces damages.'
The National Bureau of Economics Research reported this year that theft in stores has risen 32 per cent since self-checkout was introduced.