Psychology: This is what it says about you when you cry at movies

psychology
Crybaby? This is what it really says about you when you cry at movies

Some people are brought to tears by a touching Christmas TV advert, while others are completely unmoved by what is happening on the screen. This is what it says about you when you cry at movies etc.

For me it’s the animals: When a series, a film or even a short commercial shows a four-legged friend who is sad or being treated badly, it breaks my heart – and my tear ducts immediately become active. This also applies to cartoons – I would never watch “Dumbo” or “Cap and Capper”.

Of course, other things on the screen also touch me; they can be romantic, moving or sad scenes. I generally find it difficult to differentiate myself from these complete strangers (or cats, dogs or elephants) who are usually not even real. Is there something wrong with me? Am I too emotional? Or even too weak?

How our emotions are related to hormones

According to neuroscientist Dr. According to Paul J. Zak, such a reaction is related to the hormone oxytocin “Psychology Today” explains. The messenger substance is often referred to as the “bonding hormone” and its release is closely linked to our relationships and our social bonds. There also appears to be a connection between oxytocin release and our ability to empathize.

In an experiment, Dr. Zak proves this together with one of his students, Jorge Barraza. To do this, the participants in the experiment were each shown a part of a video: half saw a clip in which a father talks about the fatal brain tumor of his four-year-old son Ben. The other half saw part of the video about Ben and his father visiting the zoo together. Those who saw the emotional part of Ben’s cancer showed a 47 percent increase in oxytocin in their blood. And by measuring stress hormones, the researchers were also able to determine an increased level of empathy in them.

Emotional Intelligence: This is why empathy is so important

Empathy helps us to understand others better and ultimately to have better relationships. She makes us – scientificproven – not only more likeable, happier and healthier, but can even help us achieve greater professional success.

When we are so moved by certain scenes on the screen that we tear up, we are forming a connection with the people we are watching. We release more oxytocin and are therefore particularly empathetic. This also means that we are in healthy contact with our own feelings and can allow them. We can also put ourselves in other people’s shoes and empathize with how they are feeling. In short: we have a high level of emotional intelligence.

So if you’re one of those people who cries at every little emotional encounter in a series or film, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re just very compassionate – and emotionally intelligent. And by the way: Being able to allow tears in a touching situation is a sign of strength rather than weakness. So there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a crybaby!

Source used: psychologytoday.com, theconversation.com, ncbi.nlm.nih.goc, researchgate.com

Bridget