We've discussed the "startle response" more than once here. At least one nationally known firearms instructor (and his associates) insist that when startled, you will crouch and put your hands into a defensive position. They go so far as to train by purposely assuming that position when they start a drill. Whether or not that is a valid or useful practice is left to the reader.
However, I was just watching a youtube video wherein a guy in a ghillie suit scares dozens of women who are passing by him on a sidewalk. Their reactions vary in intensity, but there were some common elements:
So, clearly the alleged universal startle response is far from universal. Perhaps the physical response to startling is sex-based or at least influenced by sex, but the "startle response" is nowhere near universal even for men.
However, I was just watching a youtube video wherein a guy in a ghillie suit scares dozens of women who are passing by him on a sidewalk. Their reactions vary in intensity, but there were some common elements:
- Almost all of them screamed.
- ZERO reacted in the "startle response" posture that we're told is inevitable. ZERO.
- The most common physical reaction was actually the opposite of that posture - they would straighten upward or even lean backward suddenly and pull their hands/arms into their chests. Almost all of the women did some form of this.
So, clearly the alleged universal startle response is far from universal. Perhaps the physical response to startling is sex-based or at least influenced by sex, but the "startle response" is nowhere near universal even for men.