In article <Jk5U2Cx.greystroke at delphi.com>, greystroke at delphi.com wrote:
> Anyways, on to the question...Being a high school student, I can't help but
> notice the severe irritation caused in some people by that nasty sound of a
> teacher's fingernails accidently screeching accross a chalkboard. Though
> I know some people are merely annoyed by the sound, others, such as myself
> absolutely cannot tolerate the noise. Hearing it makes me cringe; I want
> to flee from the sound and attack the person making the sound at the same
> moment. Others experience the same sensation. WHY does such a sound
> cause so much anger and irritation in many people.
> Anyone have any answers?
>> Thanks!
>> Scott.
I read somewhere, many years ago and I can't remember where, that the sound
of fingernails on blackboard is similar to the danger warning cry of
some monkeys somewhere in the jungle. This is presumably why we have such
a strong reaction to this sound: it's hard-wired in more-or-less.
Maybe someone else has some more specific information
EL
