Showing signs of stress could make us more likable and prompt others to act more positively towards us, according to a new study by scientists at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Portsmouth.
Researchers examined the paradox of stress behavior, namely why, as in other primates, humans show signs of stress—such as scratching, nail-biting, fidgeting, and touching their face or hair—which could demonstrate to others that they are in weakened state.
They found that, as well as being able to accurately identify when someone was stressed, people reacted more positively towards to the individuals who showed more signs of stress.
The participants who were identified as being more stressed during the task, were also perceived as more likable by others, giving a clue as to why humans have evolved to display stress signals.
Dr. Jamie Whitehouse, research fellow at NTU’s School of Social Sciences and research lead, said:
We wanted to find out what advantages there might be in signaling stress to others, to help explain why stress behaviors have evolved in humans.
If producing these behaviors leads to positive social interactions from others who want to help, rather than negative social interactions from those who want to compete with you, then these behaviors are likely to be selected in the evolutionary process.
