Why only humans weep: Unravelling the mysteries of tears

by Ad Vingerhoets

Crying has fascinated mankind for millenia. Since ancient times, we have known that emotional tears are a unique human characteristic. Unsurprisingly, over hundreds of years, scholars from different backgrounds have speculated about the origin and functions of human tears. According to Charles Darwin, tears fulfilled no adaptive function. And yet, this seems in sharp contrast to statements in the popular media about the significance of crying. Crying is thought to bring relief and is considered healthy - and withholding tears unhealthy. In addition, tears have been said to inhibit aggression in assaulters and to promote social bonding. Perhaps that could explain why tears have been so important in our evolution.

Ad Vingerhoets is one of the few scientists in the world to have studied crying. He examines in Why only humans weep which claims about crying are scientifically tenable - which are fact and which are fiction? Though a psychologist, he doesn't just restrict himself to the current psychological literature, but also explores work in evolutionary biology, neurosciences, theology, art, history, and anthropology to provide an integrated perspective on this complex phenomenon. Written throughout in an academically accessible style, this book is groundbreaking in contributing to a modern scientific understanding of crying. It will have broad appeal to psychologists, philosophers, biologists, and anthropologists.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

ILL

The best parts of this book are the bibliographies at the end of each chapter. Otherwise, I don't like his attitude or maybe its his style.

see this for TOC and references and bibliography

http://books.google.com/books?id=jEVo...



also
Results for Basic Search Keyword (testosterone And crying)

Title: Crying mellows some, masculinizes others
Author(s): Jeffrey L. Fox Source: Psychology Today. 19 (Feb. 1985): p14. From General OneFile. Document Type: Article
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition)
Fox, Jeffrey L. "Crying mellows some, masculinizes others." Psychology Today Feb. 1985: 14. General OneFile. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Document URL
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GA...

Gale Document Number: GALE|A3622484

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Title: Tears vs testosterone
Source: India Today. (Jan. 31, 2011): From General OneFile. Document Type: Brief article
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition)
"Tears vs testosterone." India Today 31 Jan. 2011. General OneFile. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Document URL
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GA...

Gale Document Number: GALE|A248077274