• Question: Is there any purpose to crying? Does it actually make you feel better? Is it just to show emotion?

    Asked by sparks to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 16 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by fiestay.
    • Photo: Lena Ciric

      Lena Ciric answered on 15 Mar 2012:

      There are many theories about why we cry. It might be a response to pain (physical or emotional), to show emotion, to attract the sympathy of others, and because it makes us feel better.

    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 15 Mar 2012:

      Most mammals will produce tears in response to extreme pain or other stimuli, but crying as an emotional reaction is considered by many to be a uniquely human phenomenon, possibly due to humans’ advanced self-awareness. Some studies suggest that elephants and gorillas may cry as well so it may be a way to display emotion in animals with social groups.

    • Photo: Laura Waters

      Laura Waters answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      Also, you have tears to clear dirt away and clean your eyes.

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