Research Findings: Trust is often placed in emotional appeals made by certain individuals - Investigation Finds: People Tend to be Trusted when Expressing Emotional Distress
A recent study published in the journal PLOS One by researchers from the University of Łódź has identified key factors that influence how people perceive the sincerity of tears[1][2][3].
### Key Findings
The study, involving approximately 3500 participants from Norway, Poland, South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom, found that tears are more likely to be perceived as honest when shed in non-manipulative situations[1][2]. Interestingly, individuals who are less expected to cry, such as men or people perceived as less warm, are judged as more credible when they do cry[1][2][3]. This "unexpectedness" appears to signal authenticity to observers.
However, tears shed in contexts that appear strategic or manipulative, often referred to as "crocodile tears," are less likely to be seen as sincere[1][2]. The study also included assessments of participants' own personality traits, though the specific influence of these traits on perception was not highlighted in the summary materials[1].
### Methodology
The research used manipulated photographs of faces with digitally added tears, presented in different hypothetical scenarios, to isolate the effect of context and identity on perceptions of honesty[1]. The authors acknowledge that crying is a complex behavior involving more than just tears, and suggest that future research should employ more ecologically valid methods to capture the full breadth of emotional expression[1].
### Implications
The study suggests that tears could be "socially useful" for men who typically appear less warm and women who seemed less warm[1][2]. Observers might assume there must be a real reason why men or less warm individuals are crying, according to Monika Wróbel of the University of Łódź[1]. This could potentially make others more likely to help these individuals.
It's important to note that the study did not provide information on how the images of manipulative situations were chosen or created, nor did it specify the demographic details of the unexpected people whose tears were perceived as more genuine[1].
### References
1. Wróbel, M., et al. (2022). Perception of Tearful Faces: The Role of Crying Expectations and Contextual Factors. PLOS One. 2. University of Łódź. (2022, March 15). Tears from unexpected people are perceived as more sincere. ScienceDaily. 3. University of Łódź. (2022, March 15). Tears from men and women perceived as less warm may be perceived as more genuine. ScienceDaily.
In the realm of mental health and wellness, it is intriguing to consider how therapies and treatments in South Africa or Norway might benefit from the incorporation of health-and-wellness practices that leverage the perceived sincerity of tears, as suggested by the study conducted by researchers from the University of Łódź[1]. Furthermore, the insights gained from this study could potentially be applied to health-and-wellness initiatives aimed at promoting mental health, by focusing on non-manipulative contexts where tears might be more likely to be perceived as authentic[1].
In stark contrast, the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions that intentionally evoke manipulative or strategic tears, often referred to as "crocodile tears," may be compromised, given their lower perceived sincerity according to the same study[1]. Thus, the use of such tactics in health-and-wellness or mental-health therapies and treatments should be approached with caution.
