It seems that, whether in film or real life, people in a state of shock and/or horror always drop their jaws and cover their mouths. What's this phenomenon all about?
2006-08-30 15:40:01 · 8 answers · asked by Hales 1 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
There are two default responses for fearful (and shocking) stimuli, flight and fight, where in both, our muscles contracted, preparing us to do what is necessary (punching, running, etc).
Screaming is one method to fight back --to scare off object of threat, even when it is ridiculously a scary movie. Quick response such as this happens within a tiny timeframe (Paul Ekman called this period 'Refractory Period') and will also as quickly be evaluated, thus resulting a new counter-behavior --closing our mouth is such an evaluative behavior.
I guess...
2006-08-30 17:22:04 · answer #1 · answered by adih 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the experience of shock (as with your definition) causes a sudden gasp thusly covering the mouth would keep out the bugs
2006-08-30 15:48:21 · answer #2 · answered by jiggyscrewy1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Politeness of not showing the person the inseide of their mouth, or perhaps they just felt bad by displaying their shock, and they try covering it. (It fails, of course...)
2006-08-30 16:37:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it is how people remember to not say anything inappropriate. Covering your mouth is like censoring yourself through actions.
2006-08-30 15:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To avoid taking in a rush of air.
2006-08-30 16:57:12 · answer #5 · answered by crashonme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They didn't brush their teeth. They're being polite. Leave it alone. Pleeeeaaase.
2006-08-30 15:45:31 · answer #6 · answered by still waiting 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
so that fly won't go into their open mouth!!
2006-08-30 15:44:40 · answer #7 · answered by cheenarca 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
maybe they are afraid their breath stinks lol!!
2006-08-30 15:45:26 · answer #8 · answered by moka29420 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋