Laughter and Humor 101

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.

Emotion Regulation

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.

Laughter

How Your Cultural Heritage Is Reflected in Your Laughter

John Charles Simon on February 14, 2023

We tend to laugh at minor shortcomings, but how those are defined depends greatly on socio-political, religious, and other cultural influences.

We tend to laugh at minor shortcomings, but how those are defined depends greatly on socio-political, religious, and other cultural influences.

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.

Aging

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.

Child Development

Why Laughter and Humor Blossom in Preadolescence

John Charles Simon on November 30, 2022

In our preadolescent years, we increasingly compare ourselves to others. Laughter helps guide us through the rough spots.

In our preadolescent years, we increasingly compare ourselves to others. Laughter helps guide us through the rough spots.

Child Development

The Laughter of Toddlers

John Charles Simon on November 15, 2022

As we mature from infant to toddler, our experience and intellect expand, making us better able to perceive the traits and behaviors that hinder the attainment of goals.

As we mature from infant to toddler, our experience and intellect expand, making us better able to perceive the traits and behaviors that hinder the attainment of goals.

Child Development

A Fresh Look at the Infancy of Our Laughter

John Charles Simon on October 26, 2022

Differences in our laugh response can be explained using a new theory, including how age, from early infancy, influences what we perceive as amusing.

Differences in our laugh response can be explained using a new theory, including how age, from early infancy, influences what we perceive as amusing.

Personality

When You Bust Out Laughing

John Charles Simon on October 7, 2022

The desire to laugh can overcome us so quickly, it’s tempting to think of the behavior as reflexive. However, the wide range of susceptibility suggests otherwise.

The desire to laugh can overcome us so quickly, it’s tempting to think of the behavior as reflexive. However, the wide range of susceptibility suggests otherwise.

Emotion Regulation

You Laughed, She Smiled, and He Did Neither

John Charles Simon on September 19, 2022

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.

Empathy

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

John Charles Simon on August 31, 2022

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.

Humor

The Workings of Sarcasm and Satire

John Charles Simon on August 15, 2022

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.

Humor

Formal Humor Takes off With the Advent of Language

John Charles Simon on July 29, 2022

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

The Short Journey from Informal to Formal Humor

John Charles Simon on July 15, 2022

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.

Relationships

Why Shifts in Social Standing Spawn Humor

John Charles Simon on July 1, 2022

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.

Humor

Why Cognitive Shortfalls Are Fodder for Humorous Gibes

John Charles Simon on June 14, 2022

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.

Fear

The Humor Inspired by Emotional Vulnerabilities

John Charles Simon on May 31, 2022

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.

Humor

The Universality of Physical Humor

John Charles Simon on May 16, 2022

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.