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Weak individuals hear dangerous sounds differently
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A new study conducted by scientists The College of Wooster in Ohio shows that people who are physically weaker tend to think that a looming sound is closer than it actually is when compared to their stronger counterparts. Researchers believe it is an evolutionary early warning system to give those less capable of handling danger time to flee.
Scientists used types of “looming auditory” sounds to generate a response. Generally, these sounds tend to be an intense version of a car speeding by (you can find an example here. I, for one, wanted to sprint in the opposite direction as I listened to it). Those participating in the study were to listen to the noise and press a button when they thought the approaching sound was directly in front of them.
Several observations were made:
- “Nearly everyone pushed the button too early, which evolutionary psychologist John Neuhoff interprets as an adaptation that helps human beings to anticipate and avoid danger.” [EurekAlert]
- Women tended to press the button before men. (Take from that what you will)
- And, perhaps most importantly, they found that “individuals with greater upper body strength and/or stronger cardiovascular systems waited longer to push the button, while subjects in poorer physical shape gave themselves a greater ‘margin of safety.’” [EurekAlert]
Another important aspect is that all types of people perceived receding sounds in the same way, perhaps giving proof that looming sounds evoke an evolutionary response in those that need the most time to escape. The researchers state that the “findings are consistent with an evolutionary explanation of the anticipatory bias for looming sounds and provide evidence for fitness-based perception-action links between the auditory and motor systems.” [Abstract] In other words, it is proof that auditory stimulus can evoke a reaction in the motor system—especially in those who are less evolutionarily fit.
This research will be presented at the 157th meeting of the Acoustical Society of America. EurekAlert has some more highlights of the upcoming meeting.
More evolution news: Survival of the weakest * Science chronicles the Year of Darwin
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