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Laughter and Humor 101

Why we laugh, why we don’t, and why it matters

Laughter
When Apes Laugh, They Offer a Window Into Human Evolution

John Charles Simon on June 30, 2023

Gorillas and orangutans will laugh during playful wrestling and tickling bouts, with many orphaned young reacting to a caretaker’s mock aggression just as human children would.

Gorillas and orangutans will laugh during playful wrestling and tickling bouts, with many orphaned young reacting to a caretaker’s mock aggression just as human children would.

Laughter
The Hidden Link Connecting Human and Chimpanzee Laughter

John Charles Simon on June 15, 2023

Naturalists have long recognized that great apes use laughter-like vocalizations during play. Is there an evolutionary link between their laughter and ours?

Naturalists have long recognized that great apes use laughter-like vocalizations during play. Is there an evolutionary link between their laughter and ours?

Laughter
The Search for Laughter’s Evolutionary Origins

John Charles Simon on May 30, 2023

A comprehensive theory to explain why we laugh must provide a meaningful account of its origins. Can we learn about its meaning or purpose by studying our great ape cousins?

A comprehensive theory to explain why we laugh must provide a meaningful account of its origins. Can we learn about its meaning or purpose by studying our great ape cousins?

Laughter
Your 'Spontaneous' Laughter Really Isn’t

John Charles Simon on May 15, 2023

Laughter’s apparent spontaneity has been difficult to comprehend. We didn’t understand how the many elements influencing its expression could be processed so quickly—until now.

Laughter’s apparent spontaneity has been difficult to comprehend. We didn’t understand how the many elements influencing its expression could be processed so quickly—until now.

Laughter
Laughter, Humor, and the Company You Keep

John Charles Simon on April 13, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Our communication with others, including laughter, will often be influenced by their social status relative to ours, their mood, and health concerns.

A Personal Perspective: Our communication with others, including laughter, will often be influenced by their social status relative to ours, their mood, and health concerns.

Laughter
Laughing Solo? It’s Not as Funny as It Sounds

John Charles Simon on March 29, 2023

Many scholars believe that laughter represents nonverbal communication. Does it suggest otherwise if it bubbles up when no one else is around? Not exactly.

Many scholars believe that laughter represents nonverbal communication. Does it suggest otherwise if it bubbles up when no one else is around? Not exactly.

Humor
How Large-Scale Events Impact Laughter and Humor

John Charles Simon on March 14, 2023

Large-scale changes in life circumstances and health play a role in whether we perceive certain traits and behaviors as humorous imperfections or serious deficiencies.

Large-scale changes in life circumstances and health play a role in whether we perceive certain traits and behaviors as humorous imperfections or serious deficiencies.

Laughter
When It Comes to Laughter, Mood Matters

John Charles Simon on February 28, 2023

Our mood affects the way we interpret many situations. Something can be amusing when we are in a good mood, but irritating when we are sullen.

Our mood affects the way we interpret many situations. Something can be amusing when we are in a good mood, but irritating when we are sullen.

Humor
Your Personal History Shines Through Your Sense of Humor

John Charles Simon on January 27, 2023

Much of the variation in our laugh responses can be attributed to differences in personal experience. Our ability to recognize many examples of vulnerability is rarely identical.

Much of the variation in our laugh responses can be attributed to differences in personal experience. Our ability to recognize many examples of vulnerability is rarely identical.

Personality
Why Personality Impacts Every Aspect of Our Laugh Response

John Charles Simon on January 17, 2023

Our temperament directly influences our laugh response, affecting not only our perception of shortcomings but also how easily we communicate their potential social impact.

Our temperament directly influences our laugh response, affecting not only our perception of shortcomings but also how easily we communicate their potential social impact.

Humor
Why Our Sense of Humor Changes as We Become “Grown-Ups”

John Charles Simon on December 27, 2022

Our outlook changes as we become adults and so too our sense of humor. A new theory of laughter sheds light on why we will find some things less amusing and others more.

Our outlook changes as we become adults and so too our sense of humor. A new theory of laughter sheds light on why we will find some things less amusing and others more.

Adolescence
Adolescence Brings Adult Sensibilities to Our Laugh Response

John Charles Simon on December 12, 2022

Adolescents develop a newfound appreciation for traits and behaviors that affect their independence, attractiveness to potential mates, and overall status within their peer group.

Adolescents develop a newfound appreciation for traits and behaviors that affect their independence, attractiveness to potential mates, and overall status within their peer group.

Laughter
The Laughter of Toddlers

John Charles Simon on November 15, 2022

As we mature from infant to toddler, our experience and intellect expand, making us better able to perceive the traits and behaviors that hinder the attainment of goals.

As we mature from infant to toddler, our experience and intellect expand, making us better able to perceive the traits and behaviors that hinder the attainment of goals.

Laughter
A Fresh Look at the Infancy of Our Laughter

John Charles Simon on October 26, 2022

Differences in our laugh response can be explained using a new theory, including how age, from early infancy, influences what we perceive as amusing.

Differences in our laugh response can be explained using a new theory, including how age, from early infancy, influences what we perceive as amusing.

Laughter
When You Bust Out Laughing

John Charles Simon on October 7, 2022

The desire to laugh can overcome us so quickly, it’s tempting to think of the behavior as reflexive. However, the wide range of susceptibility suggests otherwise.

The desire to laugh can overcome us so quickly, it’s tempting to think of the behavior as reflexive. However, the wide range of susceptibility suggests otherwise.

Laughter
You Laughed, She Smiled, and He Did Neither

John Charles Simon on September 19, 2022

A comprehensive theory of laughter must explain why the same stimulus makes certain people laugh but not others, or amuse someone at this moment but not at that moment.

A comprehensive theory of laughter must explain why the same stimulus makes certain people laugh but not others, or amuse someone at this moment but not at that moment.

Laughter
Inside the Comedy of Stand-up Performers, Writers, and Actors

John Charles Simon on August 31, 2022

Stand-up comics and comedic actors are familiar to most Western audiences. Both will highlight a variety of shortcomings in order to solicit an audience’s sympathetic laughter.

Stand-up comics and comedic actors are familiar to most Western audiences. Both will highlight a variety of shortcomings in order to solicit an audience’s sympathetic laughter.