Why do we always push doors that say pull?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Cognitive Illusion of Affordance

Human interaction with doors is governed by Don Norman’s concept of affordance, which dictates that physical objects communicate their function through their design. When a door features a flat metal plate, the brain intuitively processes this as an area meant for pushing, regardless of any instructional signage.

Why Instructions Fail:

Mental Shortcuts: The brain prioritizes visual cues over textual information to save energy during rapid physical movement.
   Design Mismatch: If a door lacks a handle that naturally suggests pulling, users rely on the most prominent physical attribute.
   Environmental Conditioning: Many doors in high-traffic areas are automated or push-operated, leading to automatic muscle memory.

To overcome this, architects use The Norman Door principle: if a door requires pulling, it should feature a vertical handle or bar. When the design contradicts the sign, the subconscious mind will almost always choose the design, proving that human behavior is dictated more by environment than by written warnings.