If we're hard-wired to assess every stranger for threat level, what are we asking ourselves?

I imagine we do it nearly as automatically as our cave ancestors probably did: constantly scan our environment for danger signs. That has to include any person nearby or approaching, and especially anyone that we’re forced close to in a small space—in a line, in an elevator, in a bus seat, etc.

What are the questions we’re actually asking ourselves when we make these snap judgments about people—something our survival instinct tells us to do, whether it’s PC or not?

- Male or female?
– Same race as I am or not?
– Looks stronger than I am or not?
– Old or young?
– Looks friendly, hostile, or neutral?
– Acts normally or erratically?

What else?

Or do you think we don’t do this? or we turn it on and off?