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Laughter and Humor 101

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

Laughter
The Humor in Horror

John Charles Simon on October 29, 2024

In what seems a peculiar mix, laughter and humor are increasingly melded with the genre of horror. A new theory helps us understand the single concept that ties them all together.

In what seems a peculiar mix, laughter and humor are increasingly melded with the genre of horror. A new theory helps us understand the single concept that ties them all together.

Laughter
What Are You Laughing At Me For?

John Charles Simon on September 26, 2024

Laughter can come about because of our own actions, but also those we are close to. When fates are linked, the vulnerabilities revealed by one can affect the status of all.

Laughter can come about because of our own actions, but also those we are close to. When fates are linked, the vulnerabilities revealed by one can affect the status of all.

Laughter
Sharing Laughter With Our Furry and Feathered Friends

John Charles Simon on August 29, 2024

Laughing with chimps, gorillas, and orangutans makes sense—we’re expressing the same sentiment. Laughing with (or at) our pets is different, yet we do it anyway. Here’s why.

Laughing with chimps, gorillas, and orangutans makes sense—we’re expressing the same sentiment. Laughing with (or at) our pets is different, yet we do it anyway. Here’s why.

Humor
When Humor Hurts: Playful Ribbing or Malicious Ridicule?

John Charles Simon on July 31, 2024

How we respond to humorous remarks often depends on our relationship with the joker. When is joking allowed, when is it indefensible, and who’s entitled to offer up a response?

How we respond to humorous remarks often depends on our relationship with the joker. When is joking allowed, when is it indefensible, and who’s entitled to offer up a response?

Humor
When Humor Hurts: The Theory of “Joke Capital”

John Charles Simon on July 25, 2024

Certain types of humor are thought inappropriate in some circumstances but accepted in others. A new theory seeks to explain what influences such views.

Certain types of humor are thought inappropriate in some circumstances but accepted in others. A new theory seeks to explain what influences such views.

Humor
When Humor Hurts: The Ethics of Joking and Comedy

John Charles Simon on July 19, 2024

Because humor can sometimes trigger ill feelings, philosophers and scientists are studying the phenomenon to help determine how we can balance free speech and mutual respect.

Because humor can sometimes trigger ill feelings, philosophers and scientists are studying the phenomenon to help determine how we can balance free speech and mutual respect.

Laughter
When Nothing Plus Nothing Equals Laughter

John Charles Simon on June 28, 2024

Laughter usually follows our doing something amusing: spilling a drink, dropping a cookie, missing a plane. But on occasion, doing absolutely nothing can also reveal shortcomings.

Laughter usually follows our doing something amusing: spilling a drink, dropping a cookie, missing a plane. But on occasion, doing absolutely nothing can also reveal shortcomings.

Humor
How Pragmatics Informs Humor Theory

John Charles Simon on June 7, 2024

An interview with Dr. Salvatore Attardo, an expert in both pragmatics and humor, provides key insights into how context profoundly influences our appreciation of humorous stimuli.

An interview with Dr. Salvatore Attardo, an expert in both pragmatics and humor, provides key insights into how context profoundly influences our appreciation of humorous stimuli.

Laughter
Your Anticipatory Laughter: The Hilarity of Things to Come

John Charles Simon on May 30, 2024

Expressing a sense of mutual vulnerability with laughter usually follows a drop or a rise in status, but sometimes it’s done in anticipation of such a change. Why should that be?

Expressing a sense of mutual vulnerability with laughter usually follows a drop or a rise in status, but sometimes it’s done in anticipation of such a change. Why should that be?

Laughter
Why Ironic Situations Can Be So Amusing

John Charles Simon on April 29, 2024

The notion of irony is often linked to both laughter and humor. What is it about being ironic, or having a plan fall short in a spectacular way, that so often cultivates giddiness?

The notion of irony is often linked to both laughter and humor. What is it about being ironic, or having a plan fall short in a spectacular way, that so often cultivates giddiness?

Laughter
The Relationship Between Laughter and Luck

John Charles Simon on March 29, 2024

Laughter is a normal reaction to modest failings and unanticipated wins, but what about the outcomes of blind chance? One theory reveals why they, too, can inspire its expression.

Laughter is a normal reaction to modest failings and unanticipated wins, but what about the outcomes of blind chance? One theory reveals why they, too, can inspire its expression.

Laughter
The Humor that Leaves a Great Impression

John Charles Simon on February 28, 2024

Doing impressions is a common technique for inspiring feelings of amusement. Comedians impersonate familiar, everyday individuals, as well as famous ones. Here‘s why it works.

Doing impressions is a common technique for inspiring feelings of amusement. Comedians impersonate familiar, everyday individuals, as well as famous ones. Here‘s why it works.

Laughter
Reconciling a New Theory of Laughter With Its Predecessors

John Charles Simon on January 30, 2024

New theories of laughter should account for what earlier explanations got right as well as wrong. Mutual Vulnerability Theory integrates well with Superiority and Play theories.

New theories of laughter should account for what earlier explanations got right as well as wrong. Mutual Vulnerability Theory integrates well with Superiority and Play theories.

Laughter
Can We Compare New and Old Theories of Laughter?

John Charles Simon on January 29, 2024

New theories of laughter must account for what earlier explanations got right and wrong. The Mutual Vulnerability Theory meshes well with Incongruity and Tension Relief theories.

New theories of laughter must account for what earlier explanations got right and wrong. The Mutual Vulnerability Theory meshes well with Incongruity and Tension Relief theories.

Laughter
When You Misinterpret the Laughter of Others

John Charles Simon on December 29, 2023

We’ve long known that laughter has a dual nature, often sympathetic but sometimes sardonic. A new theory explains why it’s easy to misidentify which motivation is being expressed.

We’ve long known that laughter has a dual nature, often sympathetic but sometimes sardonic. A new theory explains why it’s easy to misidentify which motivation is being expressed.

Humor
The Amazing Evolution of Amusement

John Charles Simon on October 30, 2023

The common ancestor of modern apes and humans likely had a toddler’s sense of humor. As the social lives of our evolutionary lineage became more intricate, we needed laughter more.

The common ancestor of modern apes and humans likely had a toddler’s sense of humor. As the social lives of our evolutionary lineage became more intricate, we needed laughter more.

Humor
Exploring Great Ape Games

John Charles Simon on September 28, 2023

Captive modern apes have displayed humor and game-playing comparable to human toddlers. This suggests that humor has a long evolutionary history.

Captive modern apes have displayed humor and game-playing comparable to human toddlers. This suggests that humor has a long evolutionary history.

Humor
The Origins of Humor

John Charles Simon on August 30, 2023

It is thought laughter had its origins in the common ancestor of apes and humans 14 to 18 million years ago. It seems probable that humor was “invented” around the same time.

It is thought laughter had its origins in the common ancestor of apes and humans 14 to 18 million years ago. It seems probable that humor was “invented” around the same time.

Laughter
Why Laughter Evolved as an Audible Expression

John Charles Simon on July 29, 2023

Great apes’ common ancestor could have used facial or gestural expressions to express amusement, so why did laughter evolve as a vocal signal? Play may be the key.

Great apes’ common ancestor could have used facial or gestural expressions to express amusement, so why did laughter evolve as a vocal signal? Play may be the key.