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Laughter and Humor 101

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

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.

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.