Why Do We Laugh?

 

   We hear laughter all the time—froma  giggle to a snicker to a full-blown belly laugh. Laughter is undoubtedlya common human behavior, yet it has vexed scientists for centuries. To this day, the question “Why do we laugh?” remains a much-debated topic.

   An apparent answer to the question would be that we laugh when we think something is funny. In this case, laughter—the contractions of facial muscles accompanied by an audible sound ranging from a quiet titter to a loud cackle—would be the physiological response to humor. This might be the answer, but it’s not the full story. The reasons that we need this response are more complicated than you’d think.

  

    As it turns out, studying laughter is no Joking matter, according to Robert R.P rovine, professor of psychology andn euroscience at the University of Maryland. Provine, the author of the book, has conducted numerous studies on mirth.“ Most laughter is not in response to jokes or humor,” says Provine. Most of it occurs in ordinary conversations, in which nothing at all humorous transpires. In one of his most-publicized studies, Provine observes that laughs can be elicited by a variety of non-joke statements such as “Hey, John, where ya been?” or “How did you do on the test?”“ It is about relationships between people,” claims Provine. “We don’t decide to laugh at these moments. Our brain makes the decision for us. These curious ‘ha ha ha’s’ are bits of the social glue that e3bond relationships.”

  

   Provine believes that human laughter predated human speech by millions of years. Before speech, laughter was a primary form of communication.“ Laughter,” says Provine,“ evolved from the panting behavior of our ancient primate ancestors.” Apes and other animals, including rats, make “laugh-like” sounds and high-pitched vocalizations while playing, but it would be erroneous to equate them with human laughter.

   However, “When we laugh, we’re often communicating playful intent. So laughter has a bonding function between individuals in a group,” says Provine. While most laughter is a positive behavior, it can have negative intent. Pointing out one social function of  laughter, Provine cites the difference between “laughing with” and “laughing at” someone. “People who laugh at others may be trying to force them to conform or casting them out of the group,” he says. While studies have yet to prove that laughter is the best medicine or has any appreciable degree of health benefits, for that matter, Provine notes, “If we enjoy laughing, isn’t that reason enough to laugh? Do you really need a prescription?”