Why do people cry? Serious answers to children's questions

An ordinary person, if he is not a biologist by profession, hardly seriously thought about the question: where do tears come from? Why do people cry from pain, grief, resentment or vexation? Why do women cry more often and longer than men, and how to explain this fact from the point of view of physiology and psychology?

Let's start from the very beginning. Lacrimal glands are found not only in animals, but even in birds. However, man is the only creature in animate nature, for which crying is not a simple reflex process, but an expression of emotions.

On the question of what tears are, at different times, not only scientists, but also philosophers thought.

As for the question: why do people cry, Alter Rebbe, the founder of the Chabad teachings, said: "Bad news causes compression of the brain, followed by the release of fluid." Joyful news produces the opposite effect. "The blood supply of the brain improves, the body bursts with energy." According to the religious philosopher, human tears are nothing but a brain fluid. Modern science does not dispute this postulate, but it does not confirm it either. Although to date it is already known for certain that the activity of the lacrimal glands, like all other processes in the body, occurs under the guidance of the brain.

American biochemist William Frey devoted several years of his life to finding the answer to the question: why do people cry? He advanced his own hypothesis, according to which toxic substances are removed from the body during stress with tears. This theory has not yet been fully proved, and the scientist continues research activities. However, all this has to do with human physiology. But what about our emotions? Do tears really benefit our soul, soothe and alleviate suffering? Is it useful to cry in a difficult situation or do you have to restrain emotions?

Israeli scientist biologist Oren Hasson, investigating the behavioral reactions of an individual in a group, suggested that by tears a person signals his vulnerability and weakness. It should be noted that such a reaction comes from childhood, because a child crying attracts the attention of adults, letting them know that they are experiencing physical or psychological discomfort.

According to the scientist, tears are a protective reaction of the human psyche to the aggressive behavior of others, and also a good way to cause disposition to yourself on an intuitive level. Perhaps this is because in any of us, the genetically engineered reactions to child crying. A sobbing adult seems to us a toddler who needs help. The biologist has proposed his own theory of using tears to build personal relationships between people.

"Do not cry your son, you're a man ..."

Women cry much more often than representatives of the stronger sex. This is a well-known fact. In many respects this is the result of education. The boy from an early age suggest that a real man never cries. A stormy manifestation of emotions is the prerogative of a gentle young lady, and the guy will be considered at the very least a sly, or even an unbalanced hysterical person. However, psychologists claim that it is necessary to give out their emotions at least occasionally. This will save you from many troubles. Physicians even found that the longer life expectancy of ladies is due to their ability in time to mourn the trouble and throw it out of your head.

However, in female whining, not only emotionality is guilty, but also hormones. Any woman is familiar with the condition called "premenstrual syndrome" in the language of doctors. "I'm annoyed over trifles, I always want to cry, my body swells ..." - about these words describe their condition these days, the representative of the fair sex. The cause of this condition, many doctors believe a violation of the balance of estrogen hormones and progesterone. Something similar is experienced by ladies in the menopausal and post-menopausal period.

Tears of joy and pity

From birth to death a person cries an average of 250 million times. Agree, an impressive figure. And we know perfectly well that the cause of tears is not always sad. Remember, did not you have to wipe the eyes of the moisture that came out during the Homeric laughter?

Why do people cry with laughter? The reason is simple and trivial: the facial muscles stimulate glands located in the inner corner of the eye, and under their influence, tears begin to flow.

The reasons for tears can be many, it's not necessarily troubles and troubles. We all had to cry with emotion, looking at the kids going to the first class. At the acting courses of future students, they are taught to squeeze a tear out of themselves, because it is true to depict emotions - this is part of the profession. So, the teachers advise to begin to feel sorry for themselves, and in a few minutes tears will come from the eyes. This is such a simple science.