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daunting noise

why is it that we close our eyes when we hear very sudden loud noises nearby?

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  • Asked by ln64z3
  • on 2011-03-02 11:14:46
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Categories: Human Body.

Tags: Eyes, noise.

 

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Jon-Richfield says:

When faced by a sudden, as yet unidentified threat, such as a loud noise, a bright flash, or a shock, we have been adapted by selection to perform some of the main defensive measures in anticipation, until at least we know what it is that we are defending ourselves against. We crouch and cover ourselves with our arms, maybe covering our ears as well. And we blink, because some of our most vulnerable parts are our eyes. 

When there is a longer-lasting threat, someone who is frightened also might keep his or her eyes closed just to deny the unpleasant reality of danger.

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posted on 2011-03-02 13:24:56 | Report abuse


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Paul_Pedant says:

Presumably rated by a troll who lacks the courtesy and wit to argue any case of their own.

Auxiliary query, though, Jon (nice to see you back, by the way.)

Do you have a view on the evolutionary benefit of the relaxation of various sphincters under extreme physical danger? I hypothesise either improving your capability for flight, or decreasing your attractiveness on a plate, but these seem marginal compared to the time and effort involved.

 

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posted on 2011-03-08 11:40:20 | Report abuse

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Jon-Richfield says:

Thanks PP! As for the question, I have idly wondered that myself from time to time. It is a surprisingly large subject. For a start I am pretty sure that there are different classes of reaction, ranging from letting go all the irrelevant muscles when it is a life-or-death matter, and any repellant effect on the predator being adventitious, to certain creatures, such as some snakes, having decidedly nauseating excreta that they systematically smear on anything holding onto them. In this their behaviour resembles that of skunks and some insects such as stink bugs, that let go with special glands that have nothing to do with their excretory systems.

However, there also are some of our nervous systems that control  our entrails' tone and control under strees or if we get killed. Their effect is incidental I suppose. It might actually be attractive to some predators.

Then again there is the matter of social interaction. A puppy will roll over and urinate in submission, and there are other examples of such mammalian physiological semiotics as well.

It also might repel attackers that find such materials distasteful, unlike  predators that presumably regard guts mainly as condiments.

But all such things are largely handwaving and speculation. If you have any ideas, feel welcome to air them.

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posted on 2011-03-08 19:39:00 | Report abuse


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