Crying is a universal phenomenon that has fascinated scientists and researchers for centuries. It is a complex interpersonal behaviour that is considered to be one of the most visible expressions of human emotion. Humans cry for a multitude of reasons, which can be attributed to both biological and socio-cultural factors. Theories about why humans cry have been formulated for centuries and have evolved with time to reflect new understandings about the nature of human behaviour and emotion.
One of the most common reasons why humans cry is to communicate a need or desire to another person. This is particularly true during early infancy when crying is often the only means infants have to express their needs. The act of crying in infants triggers an innate response in caregivers, causing them to provide comfort and support, which ultimately leads to a sense of security and safety. This response is often referred to as the attachment system and is believed to be a key component of human existence.
As people grow older, crying becomes a more complex behaviour that can serve multiple purposes. Some researchers believe that crying is a means of social connection, through which individuals signal that they need support or emotional comfort from others. This theory is supported by the fact that crying is often accompanied by facial expressions and other nonverbal cues that convey a sense of urgency and distress. Crying in this context facilitates social connections and enables people to show vulnerability and seek help from others.
At the same time, crying can also be seen as a survival mechanism that was honed through the course of human evolution. This theory suggests that crying evolved as a way for infants to signal distress and secure their survival in the face of danger. This argument is supported by the fact that many new-born animals, such as lambs, cry out for their mothers soon after birth, which facilitates their survival.
However, not all forms of crying are associated with seeking social connection or survival. In fact, many people cry alone, and some believe that crying is a private behaviour that should be kept hidden from others. This is often due to social and cultural norms that discourage individuals from expressing their emotions in public, particularly if those emotions are seen as negative or weak.
Some argue that the tendency to suppress emotions, including crying, can ultimately be detrimental to our mental and emotional health. In fact, research shows that holding back tears can lead to increased feelings of stress, tension, and anxiety. This is where the notion of mindfulness comes into play, which advocates for being present and aware of one's emotions without judgment. Mindfulness can help individuals better understand their emotions and allow them to express them in a healthy way, including through crying.
To summarise, crying is a natural and complex behaviour that humans engage in for multiple reasons. From expressing basic needs as infants to seeking social connections and emotional support as adults, crying serves multiple functions in our lives. While crying alone and suppressing emotions may be socially learned behaviours, mindfulness advocates for a more balanced and positive approach to emotions, which allows people to express themselves authentically and in a healthy way. Overall, understanding the complex nature of crying can provide deeper insights into the nature of human behaviour, emotion, and the social and cultural factors that shape it.
Inessentia offers courses in mindfulness, including teacher training
Comments