Study: Men’s Crocodile Tears Perceived as More Genuine, Revealing Clues to Spot Deception
Study Finds Men’s ‘Crocodile Tears’ Are More Believable Than Women’s
By Xantha Leatham, Executive Science Editor
If you’re a man in trouble with your partner, turning on the waterworks might just save the day—but only if you can fake it convincingly. A new study reveals that “crocodile tears” are perceived as more genuine when shed by men or individuals perceived as less empathetic. Researchers at the University of Lodz, Poland, found that people judge insincere crying based on gender and perceived warmth, with unexpected criers gaining more sympathy.
Key Findings
The study, published in Plos One, involved showing thousands of participants edited images of tearful faces. Both male and female faces were altered to express varying levels of warmth (approachability). Participants rated how “honest” the tears appeared. Results showed tears were deemed more believable when from men or “low-warmth” women. Researchers suggest this is because tears from these groups are unexpected, leading observers to assume a genuine reason for crying.
Men’s tears are seen as more sincere, possibly because crying is less expected from them (stock image).
How to Spot Fake Tears
While tears can signal genuine emotion, they’re also used manipulatively. Previous studies note that fake criers often display:
- Emotional turbulence: Rapid shifts between emotions.
- Hesitant speech: Pauses or stuttering when expressing remorse.
Real tears, by contrast, tend to flow with consistent emotion and smoother verbal expression.
Why ‘Crocodile Tears’?
The phrase originates from the myth that crocodiles cry while eating prey. Researchers tested this by observing captive caimans and alligators during feeding. They found the reptiles did “cry,” likely due to hissing and puffing, which forces air through sinuses, triggering tear ducts.
Crocodiles’ tears are physiological, not emotional (stock image).
Social Implications
The study highlights societal biases in emotional perception. Men and less warm individuals may exploit these biases to manipulate situations, as their tears are less scrutinized. Lead researchers noted, “Tears might be more socially beneficial when shed by those less expected to cry.”
In Short: If you’re a man or seem aloof, fake tears might just work in your favor. But beware—science is getting better at spotting the difference between real remorse and theatrical sob stories.
Images: Getty, University of Lodz study visuals.
