By Mandy Oaklander and David Johnson
Maybe you have a good sob every week, or haven’t shed a tear in years. Either way, if you’re human, you’ve shed an emotional tear or two. That makes you unique among the world’s species: though other creatures tear up because of physical pain or irritation, we are the only ones whose tears can be triggered by their emotions.
But why do we cry? That question has persisted for centuries (and is the subject of a recent feature article in TIME). Now, scientists are beginning to understand why humans shed tears—and why some don’t. Find out how your crying habits compare to those of others by taking the survey below.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch Horizon
- Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Mandy Oaklander at mandy.oaklander@time.com