“The Baby Train” provides a good example of human nature supposedly at work: Given the opportunity, the story suggests, couples will “do what comes naturally,” in this instance, have sex if accidentally awakened at an early hour. Other popular legends depict people telling “white lies” or committing minor crimes when they think that nobody will notice. Human nature can work both ways in a story; for example, in “Take My Tickets, Please!” a man leaves a pair of game tickets for a poorly performing local team in a conspicuous place in his unlocked car, believing that someone will probably steal them. Instead, another disgruntled fan following the same psychology leaves his own two tickets beside the originals.
Even when a story illustrating human nature is proven false, as is the case with “Dial 911 for Help” (someone can’t find the 11 button on the phone dial), the story continues to be repeated and believed because “that’s just how dumb some people are!” Perhaps believing in urban legends is itself a good illustration of human nature.
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