Project Details
Description
Tearful crying is a ubiquitous and mainly human phenomenon. The persistence of this behavior throughout adulthood has fascinated and puzzled many researchers. Scholars have argued that emotional tears serve an attachment function: Tears are thought to act as a social glue that binds individuals together and triggers social support intentions. Initial experimental studies supported this proposition across several methodologies, but these were typically conducted only across Western participants, resulting in limited generalizability. The present study examines this effect across 36 countries spanning all populated continents, providing the most comprehensive investigation of the social effects of tearful crying to-date. Next to testing possible mediating factors, we also examine a number of moderating factors, including the crier’s gender and group membership, the situational valence (positive or negative situations), the social context (in private or public settings), the perceived appropriateness of crying, and trait empathy of the observer. The current work can inform theories on crying across the social sciences.
Layman's description
We are aiming to determine whether a number of variables mediated the relationship between showing emotional tears and intentions to help the crying person. We are replicating this study in 36 countries to determine whether this relationship changes according to cultural context.
Keywords
Emotional Crying; Emotional Tears, Attachment, Cross-Cultural, Social Support
Short title | Emotional Tears |
---|---|
Acronym | ET |
Status | Finished |
Effective start/end date | 1/1/20 → 12/4/20 |
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Main Funding Source
- Installed Capacity (Academic Unit)
Location
- Bogotá D.C.
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