People tend to sense greater risk from a threat if it is to their left, rather than to their right, according to a series of studies by Himanshu Mishra, Arul Mishra, and Oscar Moreno of the University of Utah. For example, in research conducted in Bucaramanga, Colombia, pedestrians crossed a one-way street 4% faster if the traffic was approaching from their left and sat 17% farther from a threatening-looking homeless man in a row of outdoor chairs if the man was to their left. The reasons are unclear, but the effect may be due to brain structures that give people greater ease in perceiving left-to-right flow. The researchers point out that the findings could have implications for insurance companies: For example, consumers may be more willing to buy insurance if maps show that an earthquake-prone area is situated to the west (left) of their home cities.
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