Tuesday, December 27, 2005

How seatbelts cause accidents

There is this labelling theory that people behave in a manner they are expected to. If a child is continuously scolded and told that it is a brat, it will probably behave like a brat. If it is told that it is smart and clever, it will behave like a genius. Should probably not refer to children as its but what the hell.
Happens for us in our friend circles, we behave as weareexpectedto behave for different groups. I switch from funny/witty to silent/neutral observer in different groups, and they are actually contrasting charachteristics. All this is just proof for proving the labelling theory, which in turn is the basis for a new theory; that seat belts cause accidents.

Doesen't wearing a seatbelt show a lack of confidence in your driver? The driver will then be labelled as a reckless one, who will in turn, drive recklessly, increasing the probability of an accident.

Skeptical? Imagine this. You are in the front seat without a seatbelt. The driver weaves around traffic in a slightly dangerous fashion, and you decide, just to be safe, to wear the seatbelt. The driver notices you, loses confidence about his driving, and crashes. Totally possible.

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