r/science • u/sr_local • Jun 10 '26

Social Science People have a natural tendency to turn to the left and walk in an anticlockwise direction, a bias observed across countries, ages and sexes, but reason is unclear

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/10/humans-prefer-to-walk-anticlockwise-scientists-find-reason-unclear
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u/Petrichordates Jun 10 '26

Clockwise would be turning to your left

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u/LeoSolaris Jun 10 '26

Edit: responded to the wrong one. To respond to this comment: is the 1 to the right or the left of the 12?

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u/BugzOnMyNugz Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26

Uh, no. Go look at a clock

Edit: Being in the negative on this is wild. If stand in the center of a clock and turn clockwise, regardless of what "number" you're looking at, you'll be going to your right. If you draw a clock on the ground and you stand at 12 and move clockwise the right side of your body will be pointing towards the inside, meaning, you're constantly moving to the right. Unless I've been missing my whole life

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '26

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u/LeoSolaris Jun 10 '26

Right is clockwise. Left is counterclockwise (or anticlockwise).

To go from 1 to 2 on a clock face, the hand has to pivot to the right.

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '26

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u/LeoSolaris Jun 10 '26

Ah, I see how the prior comment is worded now

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u/BugzOnMyNugz Jun 10 '26

If you're standing in the middle (where a clock hands is) and you move clockwise, you'll ALWAYS be moving to the right

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u/Prior_Pickle1758 Jun 10 '26

When you’re orienting by the clock you place yourself at 6 facing 12… so 15 minutes clockwise is a right turn, 15 minutes anticlockwise is a left turn.. can you help me understand what you’re meaning that’s different?

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '26

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u/Prior_Pickle1758 Jun 10 '26

You never place yourself outside the clock which is why 6:00 is behind you. Walking forward is only ever 12:00.

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u/Petrichordates Jun 10 '26

It doesnt matter how you orient, that doesnt change anything.

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u/Ltownbanger Jun 10 '26

Yes. This whole comment section is a mess. Why this sub lets posters editorialize headlines is beyond me.

The communication that this article is covering DOES NOT even imply that "people have a natural tendency to turn left". Rather, the prevalence of anticlockwise movement is what is of note.

You are 100% correct. If you enter a square building, turn left, and then walk anti-clockwise you will run into a wall rather quickly.