Humor

What is laughter

First, laughter is not the same as mood. Laughter is the physiological response to humor. The laughter consists of two parts: a set of gestures and producing a sound. When we laugh, the brain pressures us to perform both activities simultaneously. When we laugh heartily, changes occur in many parts of the body to the muscles of the trunk, arms and legs. Under certain conditions, our bodies perform what the Encyclopedia Britannica describes as "involuntary actions, expiratory, vocalized and rhythmical", better known as laughing.

Why Do We Laugh

Many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to making and strengthening human connections. "Laughter happens when people feel at ease with each other, when they feel free and open. And the more laughter (there is) higher bond (is) within the group," says cultural anthropologist Mahadev Apte. This response to the "union" bond-laugh-most bond, combined with the desire not to be discriminated against by the group, may be another reason why laughter is often contagious.

People are 30 times more likely to laugh at social events than when they are alone (and no pseudo-social stimulation of television). Even nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, loses much effect when used by a single person, according to German psychologist Willibald Ruch.

Laughter on the Brain

The physiological study of laughter has its own name: gelotology. Researchers observed the following specific activities:

the left side of the cortex (cell layer that covers the entire surface of the brain) and analyzed words joke structure;

the large frontal lobe of the brain involved in social emotional responses, became very active;

the right hemisphere of the cortex carried out the intellectual analysis required to "get" the joke;

the brainwave activity spread to the sensory processing area of ​​the occipital lobe (the area at the back of the head that contains the cells that process visual signals);

stimulation of the motor region caused physical responses to the joke.

 

What is funny

Three traditional theories about what we find funny:

The incongruity theory suggests that humor arises when logic and familiarity are replaced by things that usually do not go together. Researcher Thomas Veatch says a joke becomes funny when we expect one thing and another happens. We experience simultaneously two sets of conflicting thoughts and emotions. We experience the incongruity between the different parts of the joke.

The superiority theory comes into play when we laugh at jokes that focus on the mistakes, stupidity or someone's misfortune. We feel superior to this person, we experience a certain detachment from the situation and so we have the ability to laugh at her.

The theory of relief. While we try to face two sets of emotions and thoughts, we need relief and laughter is the way to clean our growing incongruity and tension system. According to Dr. Lisa Rosenberg, the humor, especially black humor, can help workers cope with stressful situations. She says: "The act of producing humor, of making a joke, gives us a mental break and increases our objectivity in the face of overwhelming stress."

Laughter and Health

Laughter Reduces the Stress Response

When you laugh there’s a contraction of muscles, which increases blood flow and oxygenation. This stimulates the heart and lungs and triggers the release of endorphins that help you to feel more relaxed both physically and emotionally.

Laughter Boosts Immunity

According to one study done at Indiana State School of nursing, mirthful laughter may increase natural killer cell levels, a type of white blood cell that attacks cancer cells.

Laughter Increases Resilience

Resilience is the ability to see failure as natural progression to success rather than as a negative outcome. People who are resilient are happier and more successful.

The ability to acknowledge mistakes without becoming angry or frustrated plays an important role in developing resilience. Laughing at mistakes allows us to recognize that making errors is a part of being human.

Laughter Combats Depression

Studies support laughter as a great way to get outside the downward spiral to depression. Being unhappy can become a pattern or mindset if we don’t step outside of ourselves occasionally. By being a witness to our situation rather than allowing ourselves to feel the victim we can find the humor in it and see with fresh eyes. Even forced laughter releases a cocktail of hormones, neuropeptides, and dopamine that can start to improve your mood.

Laughter Relieves Pain

People who are laughing don’t experience less pain, however they report being less bothered by the pain they do experience. It’s not about changing pain levels. The amount of pain remains the same, but your perceived pain levels reduce and your belief that you can cope increases. Laughter by itself isn’t the solution but it can help a person overcome discomfort.

Quick Hacks to Bring More Laughter Into Your Life

• Make humor a priority by reading a funny book, watching a comedy, or listening to your favorite comedian.
• Share laughter with friends. Spend more time with people who have fun.
• Practice laughter yoga, which Dr. Sethi practices and teaches on occasion.
• Remember that life is funny. The ability to laugh at yourself makes you attractive to others and can help relieve your own stress. Focus on finding the laughable moments in your day, and then tell a friend your funny story as a way to increase the power of laughter by sharing.
• Know what isn’t funny. Laughing at the expense of others isn’t funny. Be discerning about your humor by laughing with—not at—people.  

This is not funny

 

Experts say that several obvious differences in people determine what they find funny. The most significant difference is age.

Children - Along with the ridiculous and the surprising, children also appreciate jokes where cruelty is present - is what we call "toilet humor," (kind of humor that talks about the physiological needs and other body functions). For children, a preoccupation with bodily functions is simply another way of exploring their fascinating new environment.

Adolescence - Many teens laugh at jokes that talk about sex, food, and authorities in typical rebellious style, any subject that adults consider forbidden. It is a period of insecurity and young people often use humor as a tool to protect themselves or to feel superior.

Adults - The adult sense of humor is usually more subtle, more tolerant and less judgmental about the differences in people. What we find funny according to our age or mental development stage, it seems to be related to the stressors of this period. Basically, we laugh that stress us out.

Another factor that affects what we find funny is the culture or community where we came from providing many elements to jokes. There are economic, social and political extremely funny, but only the people living in that culture can understand them.

When people say "it's not funny," theorizes Veatch, they mean "it is offensive" or "so what's the point?". For a person to find a joke or offensive situation, she must have some attachment to the principle or the person being humiliated or criticized the joke.

We humans are the only species that laughs, and an adult laughs usually 17 times a day. People like to laugh so much that there laughing industries. The jokes, the situation comedies (sitcoms) and comedians are all programmed to make us laugh. In fact, laughter is a complex response that involves many skills used to solve problems.