Title |
Why Only Humans Shed Emotional Tears
|
---|---|
Published in |
Human Nature, March 2018
|
DOI | 10.1007/s12110-018-9312-8 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Asmir Gračanin, Lauren M. Bylsma, Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets |
Abstract |
Producing emotional tears is a universal and uniquely human behavior. Until recently, tears have received little serious attention from scientists. Here, we summarize recent theoretical developments and research findings. The evolutionary approach offers a solid ground for the analysis of the functions of tears. This is especially the case for infant crying, which we address in the first part of this contribution. We further elaborate on the antecedents and (intra- and interpersonal) functions of emotional tears in adults. The main hypothesis that emerges from this overview is that crying evolved as an emotional expression that signals distress and promotes prosocial behaviors in conspecifics. Further, shedding tears may influence the mood of the crier and his/her outlook on life primarily as a consequence of fulfillment of the proposed signaling function of tears. We also describe how cultural phenomena such as ritual weeping nicely fit within this framework, as they often aim to support a request for help to a powerful person or deity and promote social bonding. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Japan | 13 | 17% |
Spain | 4 | 5% |
United States | 4 | 5% |
United Kingdom | 3 | 4% |
Australia | 2 | 3% |
Finland | 1 | 1% |
Switzerland | 1 | 1% |
Israel | 1 | 1% |
Mexico | 1 | 1% |
Other | 6 | 8% |
Unknown | 40 | 53% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 67 | 88% |
Scientists | 5 | 7% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 3 | 4% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 1% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 53 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 11 | 21% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 11% |
Researcher | 6 | 11% |
Professor > Associate Professor | 4 | 8% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 4 | 8% |
Other | 5 | 9% |
Unknown | 17 | 32% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 16 | 30% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 6% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 3 | 6% |
Social Sciences | 3 | 6% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 3 | 6% |
Other | 6 | 11% |
Unknown | 19 | 36% |