Why only humans shed emotional tears: Evolutionary and cultural perspectives
Gracanin, Bylsma and Vingerhoets, Human Nature 29(2), 2018, 104-133. Review of theory and research on emotional tears in an evolutionary framework, starting with infant crying. Central proposal: crying evolved as a signal of distress that invites others to help; ritual weeping across cultures fits the account, since such rituals often seek help from a powerful person or deity and strengthen social bonds.
Gracanin, Bylsma and Vingerhoets, Human Nature 29(2), 2018, 104-133. Review of theory and research on emotional tears in an evolutionary framework, starting with infant crying. Central proposal: crying evolved as a signal of distress that invites others to help; ritual weeping across cultures fits the account, since such rituals often seek help from a powerful person or deity and strengthen social bonds.
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Gračanin, A., Bylsma, L. M., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2018). Why only humans shed emotional tears: Evolutionary and cultural perspectives. Human Nature, 29(2), 104-133. doi:10.1007/s12110-018-9312-8 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-018-9312-8