Why Children Laugh When Being Corrected

Claire Lerner LCSW-C on August 26, 2021 in Zero to Six

Children who laugh when being corrected are not sociopaths. They often have an abundance of empathy. The laughter is discomfort brought on by the shame they are experiencing.

Children who laugh when being corrected are not sociopaths. They often have an abundance of empathy. The laughter is discomfort brought on by the shame they are experiencing.

The Top 13 Empath-Friendly Movies

Judith Orloff M.D. on August 24, 2021 in Emotional Freedom

Movies that lift your spirit and make you feel good.

Movies that lift your spirit and make you feel good.

Understanding Performance Comedy

John Charles Simon on August 18, 2021 in Laughter and Humor 101

Performance comedy fits a predictable pattern. Put likable characters, with identifiable goals, before sympathetic audiences; then they strive, struggle, succeed, fail, and repeat.

Performance comedy fits a predictable pattern. Put likable characters, with identifiable goals, before sympathetic audiences; then they strive, struggle, succeed, fail, and repeat.

Why We Laugh When We're Nervous

Leon F. Seltzer Ph.D. on August 4, 2021 in Evolution of the Self

Incongruous laughter can be either adaptive or maladaptive, or both.

Incongruous laughter can be either adaptive or maladaptive, or both.

Laughter, Humor, and Status

John Charles Simon on August 2, 2021 in Laughter and Humor 101

The Mutual Vulnerability Theory of Laughter is a powerful tool for understanding human nature, including our preoccupation with status—our own as well as that of others.

The Mutual Vulnerability Theory of Laughter is a powerful tool for understanding human nature, including our preoccupation with status—our own as well as that of others.

The Fundamentals of Physical Humor

John Charles Simon on July 14, 2021 in Laughter and Humor 101

We all have basically the same corporal vulnerabilities, so we should expect the highlighting of such shortcomings to be the most universal means of inspiring laughter.

We all have basically the same corporal vulnerabilities, so we should expect the highlighting of such shortcomings to be the most universal means of inspiring laughter.

Using Laughing Gas for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Eugene Rubin M.D., Ph.D. on July 14, 2021 in Demystifying Psychiatry

Forty percent of patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression experienced remission of symptoms two weeks after a single, one-hour inhalation of nitrous oxide.

Forty percent of patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression experienced remission of symptoms two weeks after a single, one-hour inhalation of nitrous oxide.

How Cartoons Boost Mood and Well-Being

David Fessell M.D. on July 12, 2021 in Unlocking Your Potential

Here's a fun way to bolster healthy coping and resilience, in a form that's easy to share. Empathic cartoons offer insights and deep delights. Co-authored by Bob Mankoff.

Here's a fun way to bolster healthy coping and resilience, in a form that's easy to share. Empathic cartoons offer insights and deep delights. Co-authored by Bob Mankoff.

How to Develop an Easy Smile

Marty Nemko Ph.D. on July 9, 2021 in How To Do Life

Tips for acquiring this under-considered attribute.

Tips for acquiring this under-considered attribute.

Laughing Gas Treatment in the Severely Depressed

Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D. on June 30, 2021 in Brain and Behavior

Positive results in trial testing of depression treatment-resistant patients.

Positive results in trial testing of depression treatment-resistant patients.

Laughter’s Essential Ingredient

John Charles Simon on June 24, 2021 in Laughter and Humor 101

The research of Dr. Brené Brown reveals how feelings of vulnerability influence our interpersonal relationships. A fuller understanding of laughter helps illuminate why this is so.

The research of Dr. Brené Brown reveals how feelings of vulnerability influence our interpersonal relationships. A fuller understanding of laughter helps illuminate why this is so.

What Animals Say to Each Other When They Play

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on June 14, 2021 in Animal Emotions

New research shows that vocalizations are a mode of play signaling across different species, are similar to laughter, and can explain how a play mood is maintained.

New research shows that vocalizations are a mode of play signaling across different species, are similar to laughter, and can explain how a play mood is maintained.

The Entertainment That Sustained Us During the Pandemic

Jean Kim M.D. on June 2, 2021 in Culture Shrink

Trapped in our homes, online entertainment was a major coping outlet during the pandemic. Certain types of programming resonated the most.

Trapped in our homes, online entertainment was a major coping outlet during the pandemic. Certain types of programming resonated the most.

Curious About Laughter? You’re in Good Company

John Charles Simon on May 30, 2021 in Laughter and Humor 101

Philosophers have pondered the motivations for laughter for millennia. Today they are joined by scientists, therapists, businesses, educators, and humorists.

Philosophers have pondered the motivations for laughter for millennia. Today they are joined by scientists, therapists, businesses, educators, and humorists.

What You “Say” With Laughter

John Charles Simon on May 15, 2021 in Laughter and Humor 101

Our laughter isn't simply a reflexive response. It actively signals a perceived shift in our status relative to others.

Our laughter isn't simply a reflexive response. It actively signals a perceived shift in our status relative to others.

4 Simple Habits of the Happiest Couples

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on May 9, 2021 in Why Bad Looks Good

Longtime happy couples showcase relational satisfaction through the way they spend time together.

Longtime happy couples showcase relational satisfaction through the way they spend time together.

What Does a Baby’s Laugh Tell Us About Trust?

Benjamin Ho Ph.D. on May 5, 2021 in The Ties that Bind Us

A baby’s laugh tells us about the centrality of trust to human life, and suggests why trust is such an essential part of the economy.

A baby’s laugh tells us about the centrality of trust to human life, and suggests why trust is such an essential part of the economy.

Finding the Funny

Anna Akbari Ph.D. on April 30, 2021 in Start Up Your Life

Can we laugh yet?

Can we laugh yet?

The Meaning of Tickling

David W. Wahl Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in This Sexual Self

Individuals have different internal and external reactions to tickling. Meaning attribution explains the reactions and motives behind tickling.

Individuals have different internal and external reactions to tickling. Meaning attribution explains the reactions and motives behind tickling.

5 Ways to Ease Your Stress During Difficult Times

Barton Goldsmith Ph.D. on April 22, 2021 in Emotional Fitness

If you made it through the last year but didn’t have much fun, and that’s the worst you can say looking back, then it was a good year.

If you made it through the last year but didn’t have much fun, and that’s the worst you can say looking back, then it was a good year.

How Laughing at Yourself Can Be Good for Your Well-Being

Shoba Sreenivasan, Ph.D., and Linda E. Weinberger, Ph.D. on April 5, 2021 in Emotional Nourishment

As long as we have good ego strength, finding humor in who we are or what we do reminds us of our humanness and promotes positive interpersonal interactions and relationships.

As long as we have good ego strength, finding humor in who we are or what we do reminds us of our humanness and promotes positive interpersonal interactions and relationships.

What's Special About Special Time

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 10, 2021 in Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids

Just show up and give your child the tremendous gift of being seen and acknowledged.

Just show up and give your child the tremendous gift of being seen and acknowledged.

How Can You Keep Humor In Your Relationship?

Jane Greer Ph.D. on February 16, 2021 in Shrink Wrap

During these difficult times, it is important for people to make room for laughter.

During these difficult times, it is important for people to make room for laughter.

How to Create More Humor, Lightness, and Brightness

David Fessell M.D. on February 15, 2021 in Unlocking Your Potential

Three tips on sharing the joy of laughter.

Three tips on sharing the joy of laughter.

Laugh It Off: Hurdling the Humor Gap

Grace Blair on January 26, 2021 in School of Thought

There's a humor gap between men and women that's only growing due to social media. No matter what side of the gap you're on, it's time to combat your comedy critics.

There's a humor gap between men and women that's only growing due to social media. No matter what side of the gap you're on, it's time to combat your comedy critics.

The Healing Hilarity of the Bernie Meme

Jean Kim M.D. on January 22, 2021 in Culture Shrink

The hilarious Bernie memes come at a moment where America needs them the most, and they exhibit our shared humanity.

The hilarious Bernie memes come at a moment where America needs them the most, and they exhibit our shared humanity.

Comedy is an unsung source of improved health, human well-being, and social justice.

A Giant Penis...as a Children’s TV Show?

Lea Lis MD on January 8, 2021 in The Shameless Psychiatrist

A new Danish TV show is geared toward kids ages 4-8 with clay animated figures and slapstick humor. But has it gone too far?

A new Danish TV show is geared toward kids ages 4-8 with clay animated figures and slapstick humor. But has it gone too far?

Remembering Laughter

Robert N. Kraft Ph.D. on December 29, 2020 in Defining Memories

To be cheered by our memories, we can engage in specific retrieval strategies to reexperience the playfulness and joy in our lives.

To be cheered by our memories, we can engage in specific retrieval strategies to reexperience the playfulness and joy in our lives.

Laughing Between the Pain

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on December 28, 2020 in Complicated Love

After losing three members of my family suddenly in the same year, I thought I would never smile again. Then I got life-changing advice from an unexpected source.

After losing three members of my family suddenly in the same year, I thought I would never smile again. Then I got life-changing advice from an unexpected source.