Laughter, a universal language, carries more than just amusement. It's a nuanced form of communication, subtly conveying emotions and intentions. Let's delve into the intriguing world of laughter and explore what it truly 'says' beyond the audible chuckles and giggles.
Is laughter a reflexive response to certain stimuli or does it send an important message?
Laughter may relate to our vulnerability and that of others people with whom we interact
- It is possible to generate testable predictions to explain differences in the laugh response
- Of all the universal behaviors attributed to the human species, laughter ranks among the most difficult to corral within a single, comprehensive theoretical framework
Laughing at Someone vs. Laughing With Someone
If we believe someone’s status is inflated, undeserved, or being misused, we might offer “Lowering Laughter,” sometimes referred to as laughing “at” someone rather than “with” them
- Four different motivations prompting a single, universal message
- Each will involve a subjective determination of normality, vulnerability, or deficiency
- Laughing necessitates a desire to communicate feelings of shared vulnerability, an emotion influenced by factors such as mood, the relationship we have with our interlocutors, and the social context in which we find ourselves
A Biologist’s Take on Humor
Centuries of observation and experimentation have led to very different interpretations of laughter
- Some recognize laughter as a response to incongruity, especially one that surprises us or defies expectation, but later gets resolved in some manner that is not overly detrimental
- Others consider it a means of releasing nervous tension or energy, where one’s anxiety turns out to be unwarranted
- Still others recognize that laughter conveys information to others, either of one’s social standing, a desire to cultivate interpersonal relationships, or simply to encourage play behavior
An Affirmation of One’s Vulnerability
Laughter is best defined as a vocal affirmation of mutual vulnerability
- No understanding laughter without first understanding vulnerability (Simon, 2020a)
- Every expression of laughter I’m aware of is preceded by a conscious perception, or highlighting, of vulnerability
