could this be related to how children act in school? take myself for example, i knew what i was supposed to do, but i'd constantly get in trouble, act like a dumbass, get kicked out, but when the moment came where i'd tell myself, "ok, if you get another referral they're going to send you to reassignment school", i'd get my work done with superb grades and i'd keep my mouth shut.

"Thus, behavior may vary, but knowledge endures."