Reason for people crossing their legs - a habit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons why people cross their legs, exploring whether it is a habit, a comfort mechanism, or influenced by social and developmental factors. The scope includes observational insights, personal experiences, and speculative psychological explanations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that crossing legs may be a habit, with one noting that younger individuals seem less likely to do it.
  • Another participant expresses awareness of their habit but is unsure how to change it.
  • Comfort is proposed as a primary reason for crossing legs, with one participant questioning if there is anything wrong with the behavior.
  • A speculative argument from evolutionary psychology is mentioned, though the participant expresses uncertainty about its validity, favoring nurture or social causes instead of nature.
  • Personal experiences are shared, indicating that childhood behaviors around sitting were more varied and less constrained, with adults having fewer options for fidgeting, leading to more leg crossing in tight spaces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the reasons for crossing legs, with no consensus reached on whether it is primarily a habit, a comfort mechanism, or influenced by social factors.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about age-related behavior and social norms are present, but these are not fully explored or defined. The discussion does not resolve the underlying psychological or social dynamics involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in behavioral psychology, social habits, or personal comfort mechanisms may find this discussion relevant.

wolram
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Is the reason for people crossing their legs habit, youngsters do not do it far as my observational skills can tell, i seem to do it automatically.
 
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I have the habit, I know it's not well, but don't know how to get rid of it
 
I think it's just comfort. I don't see anything wrong here?
 
I could make an elaborate argument from evolutionary psychology, but I'm not sure on its viability. I'd pick nurture or social causes over nature this time around.
 
I did cross my legs as a kid, as far as I can remember, but probably not as often. When you're a kid, you can also wiggle around a lot more if you're not comfortable sitting, can sit with your knees up, or cross-legged, or probably even stick your feet behind your head, and nobody is going to be appalled. I don't think that would go over so well among adults, so we're a bit more limited to just crossing our legs when we fidget. Also, when you're a kid, there's more room in all the chairs. I know I cross my legs a lot more when I'm sitting in a chair with too little leg room and am trying to find a way to keep my legs from cramping up.
 

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