Why Do We Blink When We See Something Surprising?

Imagine you're eating a sandwich, and suddenly, sneeze! You blink without thinking. Blinking when something surprising happens is like your brain saying, 'Wait, what just happened?' It helps you focus on the new thing happening in front of you. Your eyes close for a quick second to let your brain catch up.

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Examples

  1. You're watching TV and suddenly your mom walks into the room, you blink!
  2. A bird flies past your window while you're eating breakfast, you blink.
  3. Your friend yells 'Surprise!' at a party, and you blink right away.

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Categories: Psychology · Blinking,Surprise,Neuroscience,Reaction Time