Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Saeema S on 29/11/2009 16:30:03

Title: Why does the sound of nails on a chalkboard bother us so much?
Post by: Saeema S on 29/11/2009 16:30:03: Saeema S asked the Naked Scientists:

Hi,Â I'm a 16 year old student in Canada and I'd like to know why it irritates us when nails go down a chalkboard, or squeaky sounds in general.

Thanks,Â Saeema

What do you think?
Title: Why does the sound of nails on a chalkboard bother us so much?
Post by: RD on 29/11/2009 18:58:25: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=1464.msg12609#msg12609

Personally I don't agree with the "screaming monkey" hypothesis ...
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=14996.0

Another hypothesis â€¦

The squeak which triggers the response can be produced by teeth biting bone.

Perhaps the reflex has come about to prevent carnivores from damaging their teeth on bones.
Title: Why does the sound of nails on a chalkboard bother us so much?
Post by: LeeE on 29/11/2009 22:42:25: First thing to point out is that it doesn't bother everyone to the same degree i.e. it doesn't bother me too much, so I'll go along with RD's scepticism re the screaming monkey hypothesis, although I will admit to finding it mildly irritating, if only because it is unaesthetic.

Having said that, it does seem to be a relatively primeval response though. Actually, considering how much variation there is in the response now, I'd hazard a guess that it may pre-date monkeys(primates), and come from an even earlier period of evolution. It might not even be biology based (just had a weird idea about what an earthquake might sound like with no buildings or other artificial structures rattling about).
Title: Why does the sound of nails on a chalkboard bother us so much?
Post by: glovesforfoxes on 29/11/2009 23:09:37: Quote
It might not even be biology based (just had a weird idea about what an earthquake might sound like with no buildings or other artificial structures rattling about).

That is quite interesting to think about. What do you think it would sound like?
Title: Why does the sound of nails on a chalkboard bother us so much?
Post by: LeeE on 30/11/2009 00:06:50: Quote
What do you think it would sound like?

No idea; it was just a weird thought.
Title: Why does the sound of nails on a chalkboard bother us so much?
Post by: thedoc on 12/01/2010 18:02:02: Listen to the answer to this question on our podcast. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2010.01.10/)