Humans prefer to walk anticlockwise, scientists find – but reason is unclear
Summary
Researchers have found that people naturally tend to walk in an anticlockwise direction when moving around spaces like museums or supermarkets. This left-turn bias appears in different countries and among various groups, but scientists are still unsure why it happens.Key Facts
- People often drift to the left and walk anticlockwise when moving freely in enclosed spaces.
- The discovery came from observing crowd behavior during the pandemic.
- Research in Spain and Japan confirmed this walking preference.
- The bias is present regardless of dominant hand, foot, or eye, and is stronger in children.
- Scientists tested different ideas but have not yet found the exact cause.
- Similar left-turn biases have been seen in animals like rock ants.
- Understanding this tendency may improve designs of public spaces and evacuation plans.
- Historically, athletes chose to run anticlockwise because clockwise felt unnatural to them.
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