Adult Crying: A Biopsychosocial Approach

Front Cover
A. J. J. M. Vingerhoets, Randolph R. Cornelius
Psychology Press, 2001 - Medical - 320 pages
Crying is a typical human expression of emotion. Surprisingly, until now little scientific attention has been devoted to this phenomenon. Many textbooks on emotion fail to pay attention to it, and in scientific journals there are hardly any contributions focusing on this behavior. In contrast, there is much interest from the lay public, allowing pseudo-scientists to formulate theories that have little or no scientific basis. Is there any evidence in support of statements that crying is healthy or that not crying may result in toxification? How do people react to the crying of others? Is crying important for the diagnosis of depression, and if so, how? This book aims to fill this gap in scientific literature. Crying is discussed from several perspectives and specific attention is given to methodological issues and assessment. Each chapter provides a review and a summary of the relevant scientific literature.
 

Contents

1 THEORIES OF CRYING
1
2 THE NEUROANATOMY OF THE LACRIMAL SYSTEM AND THE BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CRYING
19
INFANCY CHILDHOOD AND BEYOND
37
4 CRYING FREQUENCY ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN
55
5 THE SITUATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL CONTEXT OF ADULT CRYING
71
SWALLOWING VERSUS SHEDDING? THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRYING BIOLOGICAL SEX AND GENDER
91
7 PERSONALITY AND CRYING
115
8 CRYING ACROSS COUNTRIES
135
11 CRYING AND CATHARSIS
199
12 CRYING IN PSYCHOTHERAPY
213
13 CRYING AND HEALTH
227
14 CRYING AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER
247
15 PATHOLOGICAL HUMAN CRYING
265
SOME METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ANALYZING QUESTIONNAIRES
277
Epilogue
299
ADULT CRYING INVENTORY ACI
303

9 THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CRYING
159
10 MENSTRUAL CYCLE PREGNANCY AND CRYING
177

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