The Battle Over Homework Has Begun—I Win By Not Fighting

Becky Diamond on September 19, 2022 in Risking It

A Personal Perspective: Struggling over schoolwork stinks, for my son and for me. I’ve learned that sometimes, in serious situations, it’s good to laugh a little.

A Personal Perspective: Struggling over schoolwork stinks, for my son and for me. I’ve learned that sometimes, in serious situations, it’s good to laugh a little.

You Laughed, She Smiled, and He Did Neither

John Charles Simon on September 19, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

A comprehensive theory of laughter must explain why the same stimulus makes certain people laugh but not others, or amuse someone at this moment but not at that moment.

A comprehensive theory of laughter must explain why the same stimulus makes certain people laugh but not others, or amuse someone at this moment but not at that moment.

Is It Misogynistic to Not Find Women Funny?

Katherine Cullen MFA, LMSW on September 14, 2022 in The Truth About Exercise Addiction

The debate over whether female comedians are as funny as male comics isn't new. But is concluding that women aren't as funny evidence of bias?

The debate over whether female comedians are as funny as male comics isn't new. But is concluding that women aren't as funny evidence of bias?

Are You Laughing With Me? The Meaning of Laughter

Naveed Saleh M.D., M.S. on September 1, 2022 in The Red-Light District

Laughter is a dynamic tool used to communicate feeling and intention. Emerging research looks at how laughs differ.

Laughter is a dynamic tool used to communicate feeling and intention. Emerging research looks at how laughs differ.

Inside the Comedy of Stand-up Performers, Writers, and Actors

John Charles Simon on August 31, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Stand-up comics and comedic actors are familiar to most Western audiences. Both will highlight a variety of shortcomings in order to solicit an audience’s sympathetic laughter.

Stand-up comics and comedic actors are familiar to most Western audiences. Both will highlight a variety of shortcomings in order to solicit an audience’s sympathetic laughter.

Why Did Evolution Make Us Laugh?

Jonathan Silvertown, D.Phil. on August 19, 2022 in The Sandwalk

The Comedy of Error, a Trespasser Confesses

The Comedy of Error, a Trespasser Confesses

The Workings of Sarcasm and Satire

John Charles Simon on August 15, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

With what appear to be positive appraisals, sarcasm and satire are, to informed audiences, yet another means of drawing attention to perceived vulnerabilities.

With what appear to be positive appraisals, sarcasm and satire are, to informed audiences, yet another means of drawing attention to perceived vulnerabilities.

Why the Female Psychopath Laughs

Winifred Rule on August 4, 2022 in Surviving the Female Psychopath

The female psychopath can be disarmingly witty, full of jokes and exciting conversation. Her laughter is calculated to turn on her charms, superficial, yet captivating.

The female psychopath can be disarmingly witty, full of jokes and exciting conversation. Her laughter is calculated to turn on her charms, superficial, yet captivating.

Formal Humor Takes off With the Advent of Language

John Charles Simon on July 29, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

The breadth and scope of our humor expanded exponentially with the development of language. It became a vital tool for sustaining the social bonds so critical for our survival.

The breadth and scope of our humor expanded exponentially with the development of language. It became a vital tool for sustaining the social bonds so critical for our survival.

Humor Is a Sign of Hope

Madelyn Blair Ph.D. on July 25, 2022 in Resilient Leadership

Life is serious business. Laughter helps us rebalance and take a moment to see another perspective. It is a gift to restore hope.

Life is serious business. Laughter helps us rebalance and take a moment to see another perspective. It is a gift to restore hope.

Are Stress Aids Effective When Experiencing Acute Stress?

Judith J. Wurtman Ph.D. on July 18, 2022 in The Antidepressant Diet

Personal perspective: Stress seems to be increasing for everyone. Here are some sage coping skills.

Personal perspective: Stress seems to be increasing for everyone. Here are some sage coping skills.

The Short Journey from Informal to Formal Humor

John Charles Simon on July 15, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Most humor is spontaneous and “off the cuff.” Some, however, is thoughtfully planned and executed. Such “formal humor” is increasingly prevalent and comes in a variety of genres.

Most humor is spontaneous and “off the cuff.” Some, however, is thoughtfully planned and executed. Such “formal humor” is increasingly prevalent and comes in a variety of genres.

When Does a Sense of Humor Become Unhealthy?

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 11, 2022 in Social Instincts

Studies show that what makes you laugh is sometimes no laughing matter.

Studies show that what makes you laugh is sometimes no laughing matter.

Humour: A Pillar of Resiliency

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D. on July 7, 2022 in Everyday Resilience

When developing our resiliency, there are some key factors that help us to bounce back from and grow stronger through difficulty – and one of those factors is humour.

When developing our resiliency, there are some key factors that help us to bounce back from and grow stronger through difficulty – and one of those factors is humour.

Why Shifts in Social Standing Spawn Humor

John Charles Simon on July 1, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Success in life depends, in large part, on our ability to create and foster social relationships. When troubles arise, humor, and the laughter it inspires, are often close behind.

Success in life depends, in large part, on our ability to create and foster social relationships. When troubles arise, humor, and the laughter it inspires, are often close behind.

Why Cognitive Shortfalls Are Fodder for Humorous Gibes

John Charles Simon on June 14, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

As a species, we owe much of our success to extraordinary cognitive abilities, but laughter conveys a vital message when we see evidence of poor understanding or reasoning.

As a species, we owe much of our success to extraordinary cognitive abilities, but laughter conveys a vital message when we see evidence of poor understanding or reasoning.

The Humor Inspired by Emotional Vulnerabilities

John Charles Simon on May 31, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Life bolsters success when our emotional responses are of the right kind and intensity. Failures in this area represent vulnerabilities that can often prompt laughter.

Life bolsters success when our emotional responses are of the right kind and intensity. Failures in this area represent vulnerabilities that can often prompt laughter.

The Epidemic of 1962—of Laughter

Caroline Kamau Ph.D. on May 30, 2022 in The Science of Mental Health

A laughter epidemic spread widely and was accompanied by physical symptoms. Was it a contagious mass psychogenic illness?

A laughter epidemic spread widely and was accompanied by physical symptoms. Was it a contagious mass psychogenic illness?

The Universality of Physical Humor

John Charles Simon on May 16, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Nothing prompts laughter as reliably as physical humor. In every culture, people can relate to things like mild injury, meager strength, ill health, and poor sexual performance.

Nothing prompts laughter as reliably as physical humor. In every culture, people can relate to things like mild injury, meager strength, ill health, and poor sexual performance.

Can People Be Too Woke to Joke?

Neil Farber M.D, Ph.D., CLC, CPT on May 9, 2022 in The Blame Game

Humor can be divisive. New research sheds light on the complex terrain of stereotype jokes. What determines funny vs. offensive?

Humor can be divisive. New research sheds light on the complex terrain of stereotype jokes. What determines funny vs. offensive?

Why Narcissists Will Laugh at You, but Never at Themselves

Arash Emamzadeh on May 8, 2022 in Finding a New Home

A recent study finds that people with vulnerable narcissism have a tendency to fear being laughed at, but also tend to enjoy laughing at others.

A recent study finds that people with vulnerable narcissism have a tendency to fear being laughed at, but also tend to enjoy laughing at others.

Identifying the Four Basic Categories of Humor

John Charles Simon on May 3, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Humor is a multifaceted behavior, but one that can be divided into four basic kinds—physical, emotional, cognitive and social—depending on which vulnerability is most emphasized.

Humor is a multifaceted behavior, but one that can be divided into four basic kinds—physical, emotional, cognitive and social—depending on which vulnerability is most emphasized.

Why We Seek to Understand Laughter and Humor

John Charles Simon on April 19, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

The exchange between Chris Rock and Will Smith at the Oscars reminds us of the impact humor can have on our lives and the need to fully explain variations in our laugh response.

The exchange between Chris Rock and Will Smith at the Oscars reminds us of the impact humor can have on our lives and the need to fully explain variations in our laugh response.

The Fragile Reality of a Vulnerable Narcissist

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 3, 2022 in Social Instincts

Narcissism manifests in many ways. Here's one, according to a new study.

Narcissism manifests in many ways. Here's one, according to a new study.

Will Smith and Chris Rock: The Slap Heard 'Round the World

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on March 30, 2022 in Play in Mind

Play theory and cultural history help explain the incident at the 2022 Oscars.

Play theory and cultural history help explain the incident at the 2022 Oscars.

Humor, Serious Illness, and End of Life

Daniel Miller M.D. on March 30, 2022 in End of Life Matters

Don't forget laughter, even in the worst of times.

Don't forget laughter, even in the worst of times.

Humor and Humiliation

Matthew Legge on March 30, 2022 in Are We Done Fighting?

Why would someone take the dangerous risk of getting in a physical fight over something as apparently meaningless as a bad joke, even one in poor taste?

Why would someone take the dangerous risk of getting in a physical fight over something as apparently meaningless as a bad joke, even one in poor taste?

Closing In on a Workable Definition of Humor

John Charles Simon on March 29, 2022 in Laughter and Humor 101

Our understanding of humor has been affected by varied notions of laughter and amusement. With a better grasp of their meaning and purpose, humor can now be more clearly defined.

Our understanding of humor has been affected by varied notions of laughter and amusement. With a better grasp of their meaning and purpose, humor can now be more clearly defined.

Want Swearing to Make You Stronger? Humor Is Key

Christopher Bergland on March 25, 2022 in The Athlete's Way

Swearing can be hurtful. But when it's done in a humorous way, new research suggests that repeating a swear word that seems funny in the moment can boost strength and stamina.

Swearing can be hurtful. But when it's done in a humorous way, new research suggests that repeating a swear word that seems funny in the moment can boost strength and stamina.

Why What Follows Sex Is at Least as Important as the Sex

David W. Wahl Ph.D. on March 17, 2022 in This Sexual Self

Sexual aftercare is essential for the sexual well-being of both you and your partner, whether you engage in BDSM play or casual, vanilla sex.

Sexual aftercare is essential for the sexual well-being of both you and your partner, whether you engage in BDSM play or casual, vanilla sex.