Why do people turn their heads when they hear a loud bang?
By Jerrymouse
@Jerrymouse (697)
Malaysia
August 21, 2008 6:57am CST
Why do people turn their head towards the source of loud bang when they hear it?
In my opinion, I think it is due to the human nature of wanting to know anything that is odd. The sudden loud sound is something unexpected and thus we will tend to find the source of it to satisfy our curiousity.
What about you? Why do you think people will turn towards the source of a loud sound?
3 responses
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
21 Aug 08
I think its largely a reflex action but maybe it is rooted in our sense of curiosity. Perhaps it also stems from the 'hunter/gatherer' days when any sound could either mean danger ... as indeed it could now. We want to know whether we should run away or run to help I suppose?
@Jerrymouse (697)
• Malaysia
28 Aug 08
You are right. It seems that if you apply Darwin's theory of natural selection, organisms that are curious and alert about their surrounding have higher chances of surviving and over time, most of the population will have the same characteristic. The same thing must have also have happened to people.
I noticed that some people also turn their heads when they saw other people do it. It seems that they follow the group.
) Thx for b/r 
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Aug 08
Hi! 
I think it's our "animal instinct" to look for the source of something threatening like a loud bang. Maybe because we need to see if there's real danger first before we run amuck. I have pet cats and when they're outside, I tend to play jokes on them by making some sounds like knocking on the window glass. They turn their heads towards me / the sound. Maybe it's intended to assess what's happening and what's causing it so one can take proper action.
I think it's our "animal instinct" to look for the source of something threatening like a loud bang. Maybe because we need to see if there's real danger first before we run amuck. I have pet cats and when they're outside, I tend to play jokes on them by making some sounds like knocking on the window glass. They turn their heads towards me / the sound. Maybe it's intended to assess what's happening and what's causing it so one can take proper action.