Laughter is a way of knowing if a person is happy or entertained. Recent scientific discoveries have also shown that laughter can help us learn more about others and ourselves. This has been proven by psychologists and researchers who have studied laughter for some time.
Several investigations have shown that there is more to deciphering laughter than how happy a person is. We take a closer look at how people can get to know each other through laughter.
What Your Laughter Can Say About You
Recognizing Spontaneous And Voluntary Laughter
There are 2 types of laughter. The first is spontaneous laughter and is characterized by an uncontrollable reaction to something that makes us laugh, such as a hilarious joke.
Produces a distinctive sound that is difficult to fake. Voluntary laughter, on the other hand, is produced with a deliberate sound and is the kind of laugh you create when you want to politely react to a boring joke.
Studies have shown that voluntary laughter can help us better identify the person who is laughing since it occurs in a deliberate and controlled way.
You Are More Inclined To Laugh If You Know The Person Telling The Joke
Do you have a specific friend or favorite comedian who always makes you laugh? Science says that laughing at or with someone is more likely due to familiarity. We often find jokes funnier when told by someone we know, like a friend or a famous comedian.
We Laugh Most When We Are With Friends
According to Robert Provine, a psychologist at the University of Maryland, we are 30 times more likely to laugh at something when talking to other people.
The study also found that it’s not the jokes that make us laugh, it’s our way of reacting to others to show them that we like them and understand them.
Our Relationships Last Longer When We Laugh Together
During a survey conducted by UC Berkeley psychologist Bob Levenson, he asked couples to talk about a sensitive topic, such as what bothers them about their partner.
The study showed that when couples used laughter and smiles in their conversations, they felt better immediately after talking about a touchy subject. They also reported being more satisfied with their relationship and staying together longer.
Which of these findings are you most likely to agree with? Do you see people laugh when you are with them? Share your stories with us in the comments section!
