Looking at the “Why do we smile?” and “Why do we cry?” threads, I was reminded that I asked the question a while ago and the subject matter did not elicit too many responses. So, with a fresh new batch of Dopers, I’ll ask again: Why is it that emotions make people cry?
Should of course be: “Why do we smile?” and “Why do we laugh?” threads…
Still. Why this specific reaction to what can be radically different stimuli? (Seeing your best friend win first prize in a competition, for example; sustaining injury; etc.)