Why do you walk in a circle when lost in open terrain?

When lost in open terrain, people often walk in a circle due to a phenomenon called "circular error." This can occur because of a dominant hand preference; individuals may unconsciously favor one side while navigating, leading them to veer slightly off course. Additionally, environmental factors like uneven terrain or fatigue can exacerbate this tendency, causing the walker to inadvertently form a circular path instead of moving in a straight line.