AMSTERDAM: The question of why people blush, has puzzled scientists for years, prompting numerous studies to understand this unique emotional response. Back in 1872, British naturalist Charles Darwin described blushing as “the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.”
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam decided to delve deeper into this phenomenon, conducting experiments with young people, mostly females, aged between 16 and 20.
There are two primary theories behind blushing. One, favored by Darwin, suggests that our cheeks turn red when we think about how others perceive us or due to the fear of being judged. The other theory attributes blushing to the simple sensation of feeling exposed, without considering others’ opinions.
Which theory holds more weight?
Dr. Milica Nikolic, a psychologist and the lead author of the study, explained, “Is it just being in the social situation where you are exposed and the center of attention, feeling the exposure and attention from others? Or is it more complex, involving thoughts about how we appear to other people?”
The Study
Volunteers were invited to a lab and asked to perform karaoke on camera, singing challenging and potentially embarrassing songs like “Let It Go,” Adele’s “Hello,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and “All The Things She Said” by t.A.T.u. A few days later, they returned to the lab to watch their performances while lying in a brain scanner.
When volunteers were informed that everyone was watching their performance simultaneously, their embarrassment increased, causing their cheeks to redden. They blushed more while reacting to their own videos compared to others’.
“Blushing can come simply from being exposed,” said Nikolic. “In that very short moment, you maybe don’t think about how you look and so on. I think it is more automatic than the theory suggests.”
