Crying is a reaction that usually occurs when we have emotional triggers, such as overwhelming feelings of sadness, stress, happiness, and fear. Why do our bodies have this function and what is the purpose behind the tears we shed? Continue reading to find out!
Although organisms of other species cry as a reflex after experiencing pain or irritation, humans are the only species to cry based off feelings and mental triggers. The reason behind this is widely debated in the scientific field, and there are many different theories that have arisen.
One theory is that tears induce social bonds and emotional connection between different people. Compared to animals, most of which are physically capable of being independent and living on their own when they are first born, babies are extremely vulnerable and weak, and crying gets the attention of others to do things for them that they are unable to themselves. Even as people grow to become adults, they still haven't lost the habit of crying when they're in a state of hopelessness, in order to signal the attention of others for help when they're distressed.
An interesting piece of evidence is that there are different types of tears. When we chop onions and cry, those tears contain less enzymes, lipids, and electrolytes compared to our emotional tears. This different structure has been hypothesized to allow emotional tears to be bigger and run down slower which make it more likely to catch the attention of others.
In addition, humans have the tendency to show empathy and compassion when they see tears, which is a big part of the identity of humans. A retired professor from University College London says that when humans see others cry, the same areas of their brain are activated as when they cry themselves. Therefore, the empathy, understanding, and knowledge of how to react at the sight of another person crying is a crucial aspect of human nature.
Basing off of the fact that tears induce feelings in other people, another theory states that tears may be to reduce anger from others and cause them to feel pity. This means crying is sometimes used as a manipulative tactic, to appease the anger of others and cause them to feel guilty and apologize. Furthermore, studies have shown that when humans see their loved ones cry, their aggression levels decrease, supporting the concept of tears easing emotions.
However, just as there are in many scientific phenomenon, there are special cases, and some people report to not cry. Cord Benecke, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Kassel in Germany, generated interviews which results have shown that people who don't cry are prone to being distant and less connected in their relationships. In addition, compared to people who cried, they would experience a greater amount and extent of feelings of aggression, such as anger and disgust.
Furthermore, some believe crying is to induce a sense of relief afterwards. In a research conducted by psychologists at Vassar College, it was found that people who cried after a movie were in worse moods when they cried, but their moods significantly improved when they were surveyed again 90 minutes after, compared to their moods prior to watching the movie. Therefore, crying can be an effective technique of emotional recovery.
Although these theories have various details and concepts, they rope back to a central theme, which is that we cry because we need other people. So, if you're feeling down, keep in mind that leaning on someone's shoulder will help you get back on your feet! Thank you for reading!
References:
Oaklander, Mandy. “The Science of Crying.” Time, 16 Mar. 2016, time.com/4254089/science-crying.
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