Even as behavioural researchers we couldn’t resist the urge to buy toilet paper | Liam Smith and Celine Klemm

Our own reaction came as a surprise but with further thought, the behaviour is largely explainable

If you asked someone how much toilet paper they have in their home right now, I'm sure they could accurately tell you.

Did we ever think we would see a day when supermarkets would impose buying restrictions on toilet paper? It seems ridiculous, right? But the past few days have seen nervous customers panic-buying essential items such as toilet paper, canned goods and rice, leaving supermarket shelves bare. Some stores have even sold out of pet food and kitty litter.