Human ethology: eating, security, and curiosity

This study replicated an earlier one on selection of seats and looking up in a college eating environment. Both studies showed that solitary individuals chose wall tables more often than center tables. Opposite findings held here for looking up, with almost twice as much occurring at wall tables whether by solitary individuals or groups. The difference between these studies may reflect environmental variables. Sitting at wall tables may enhance security and promote looking-up as an indication of exploratory behavior or alternatively and more simply an exploratory need may determine the selection of wall tables.