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Laughter and Humor 101

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

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.

Humor
Your Personal History Shines Through Your Sense of Humor

John Charles Simon on January 27, 2023

Much of the variation in our laugh responses can be attributed to differences in personal experience. Our ability to recognize many examples of vulnerability is rarely identical.

Much of the variation in our laugh responses can be attributed to differences in personal experience. Our ability to recognize many examples of vulnerability is rarely identical.

Personality
Why Personality Impacts Every Aspect of Our Laugh Response

John Charles Simon on January 17, 2023

Our temperament directly influences our laugh response, affecting not only our perception of shortcomings but also how easily we communicate their potential social impact.

Our temperament directly influences our laugh response, affecting not only our perception of shortcomings but also how easily we communicate their potential social impact.

Humor
Why Our Sense of Humor Changes as We Become “Grown-Ups”

John Charles Simon on December 27, 2022

Our outlook changes as we become adults and so too our sense of humor. A new theory of laughter sheds light on why we will find some things less amusing and others more.

Our outlook changes as we become adults and so too our sense of humor. A new theory of laughter sheds light on why we will find some things less amusing and others more.

Adolescence
Adolescence Brings Adult Sensibilities to Our Laugh Response

John Charles Simon on December 12, 2022

Adolescents develop a newfound appreciation for traits and behaviors that affect their independence, attractiveness to potential mates, and overall status within their peer group.

Adolescents develop a newfound appreciation for traits and behaviors that affect their independence, attractiveness to potential mates, and overall status within their peer group.