Dear Science: Why do we cry?

The Washington Post:

You shouldn’t feel shame about shedding tears of emotion. Weeping is part of what makes you human. Although other animals may yelp or whimper in pain or fear, and many creatures have tear ducts in their eyes to help flush out dirt and irritants, humans are the only species known to cry for emotional reasons. And scientists aren’t really sure why.

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There’s some data to back this up. A 2008 study led by psychologist Lauren Bylsma of the University of South Florida found that people were more likely to feel better after crying if they received social support during their tears. They also reported feeling catharsis when their weeping led to a resolution of the tear-inducing event, or helped give them a new understanding of what was wrong. By contrast, people who tried to hold back their tears, or said they were ashamed to cry, were less likely to experience catharsis.

Read the whole story: The Washington Post