
Humans Are the Only Animals That Blush
Charles Darwin called blushing 'the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.' Blushing is an involuntary physiological response to social emotions — specifically, the fear of negative evaluation by others. No other animal is known to blush. Psychologists believe blushing may have evolved as a social signal that communicates honesty and regret, making others more likely to forgive transgressions. Ironically, the more you try not to blush, the more intensely you tend to blush.