This book investigates the complex biological, psychological, and social mechanisms that trigger and regulate crying behavior in adults. Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets and Randolph R. Cornelius, both established researchers in the field of emotion, synthesize decades of empirical data to move beyond the common perception of crying as a simple reflex. They present a comprehensive framework that examines how evolutionary biology, individual personality traits, and cultural norms intersect to define the adult experience of shedding tears.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the multifaceted nature of human emotional expression. Researchers frequently cite the authors' rigorous approach to integrating biological data with social context as a standard for future studies in the field.