Why do humans cringe? Does the same response occur in other animals?

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What is the reason for such a crippling reaction to uncomfortable social interactions?

EDIT: Thank for the replies so far, I am more wondering from an animal behaviour perspective. Starting to get the sense it is a form of social preservation because you can dissociate yourself from the bad thing.

In: Biology

7 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

We cringe because we are more civil than animals. Animals will simply attack those who are weaker. We cringe instead.

For example, you have a socially awkward nerd. A nice guy will mildly cringe, but still be cool to the guy. Most will just cringe and deal with him. A bully will flat out attack him, he doesn’t have the civility others do.

So the next time you see an animal pounce on another, just know that if that animal were human, he’d just cringe instead of pounce.

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