Humans are the only animals that blush. Have you ever noticed how your face turns bright red when you’re feeling embarrassed, nervous, or excited? This involuntary response is a universal human experience, but did you know that we’re the only species that exhibits this trait? From a biological and psychological perspective, blushing is a fascinating phenomenon that reveals a lot about our complex emotions and social interactions. Let’s explore the reasons behind this unique human behavior and what it says about us.
It’s that hot feeling that begins at the top of your spine, percolates up your neck to your ears, and still farther, till you can feel every hair follicle on your head. Your cheeks blaze. This is the most honest expression you will ever share: the blush.
Scientists can’t say why a blush happens, but they know it comes on orders from the nervous system. Your face muscles relax and adrenalin makes your blood vessels widen. This allows blood to flow to your face for seconds or as long as two or three minutes. Some studies suggest it makes people appear more trustworthy because it is so uncontrollable — you can no more fake a blush than you can pretend it’s not happening.
Blushing starts at around three years old. Corresponding with the period when children begin to realize they are not the center of the universe. It’ll happen, as I’m sure you know, when attention is suddenly focused on a person, they are embarrassed or feel guilty.
Your children will probably blame you.
“What makes you blush?” a mom asked her almost 13-year-old at my urging.
“When you sing and dance in the car on the way to school,” he told her. “I think it’s fun, I just don’t want my friends to think my mom is weird. They don’t know you.”
He’s not alone in being chagrined by his parents (though he does think it’s cool that his mom is weird). Our super-scientific survey of a dozen or so kids from age six to 17 revealed their parents embarrass them most often and most consistently. Mom doesn’t even have to sing and dance in the car — six- and 11-year-old siblings said “Mommy and Daddy being affectionate” is every bit as mortifying.
An Ottawa mom has 17-year-old twins who are graduating this year, which doesn’t mean they’re immune to blushing. Her son is a strong athlete who, one imagines, hears “my, how you’ve grown!” all the time. His grandma has to hug his waist because he’s a tall, “colossal-sized man.” That’s when it happens to him.
His sister says it happens when she’s called out on something like the time she started snacking while working at a hardware store. She thought no one was looking, but when someone said, “Are you eating a chocolate bar?” her cheeks got hot. We do not know whether this made the chocolate melt in her mouth, but that’s an experiment worth trying.
There are second-hand blushes, like when your best friend trips over their own feet or your crush mixes up their words. Panic blushes when you’re called to the principal’s office. Lie-detector blushes when you’re caught red-handed. Flustering blushes when you’re called out for doing something awesome. Angry blushes. Passionate blushes.
The Unique Human Trait
Humans are the only animals that blush, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists and philosophers for centuries. While other animals exhibit signs of embarrassment or stress, such as avoiding eye contact or displaying submissive behaviors, humans alone experience the distinctive physical response of blushing.
Evolutionary Advantage
So, why do humans blush? One theory is that blushing served an evolutionary purpose, signaling to others that we’re aware of social norms and willing to conform. This helped early humans build trust and cooperation within their communities. By displaying vulnerability and empathy through blushing, we demonstrate our capacity for complex social interactions.
Emotional Expression
Blushing is closely tied to emotions like embarrassment, shame, and self-consciousness. When we feel these emotions, our body releases stress hormones. This causes blood vessels in the face to dilate and create that characteristic red glow. This physical response is a visible manifestation of our inner emotional state, making blushing an authentic and relatable expression of human emotion.
Cultural Significance
Blushing has also played a significant role in human culture and history. In ancient Greece and Rome, blushing was seen as a sign of modesty and virtue. In Japan, blushing is still considered a mark of respect and humility. By understanding the cultural context of blushing, we can appreciate its enduring impact on human communication and relationships.
Summary
Blushing is a remarkable aspect of human behavior that sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. This complex emotional response not only reveals our vulnerability and sensitivity but also serves as a vital social signal. Hence, facilitating communication, empathy, and connection with others.
By embracing our blushes and the emotions that trigger them, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. So, the next time you feel your face flush with color, remember that it’s a uniquely human experience – and a beautiful one at that.
