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5 Facts you should know about

Jumping Frenchmen of Maine

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1

Jumping Frenchmen of Maine is a type of “startle-matching syndrome”

2

This very rare disorder is characterized by an unusually extreme startle reaction

3

It was first identified in the late 1800s among an isolated group of French Canadian lumberjacks

4

When startled, they would jump in the air, imitate those around them, and even obey random commands

 

5

The disorder likely occurs because of an extreme conditioned response to a particular situation, influenced by cultural factors

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