Debra Rickwood - Crying at the Movies

You have probably found yourself weeping quietly, or even suddenly sobbing uncontrollably, while watching a movie. Common culprits include Marley and Me, The Color Purple, Schindler’s List and The Lion King.

Why do we cry in movies? Is this a sign of emotional weakness (hence hiding it from your friends) or an indicator of strength – evidence of emotional intelligence?

Debra Rickwood is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Canberra and she was on the show to answer these questions for us this morning.