Psychology of laughter

Laughter is an audible expression of the appearence of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It can be caused by jokes, tickling or other stimuli. Laughter is a social phenomenon and people who laugh much are thought to be more optomistic, happier and friendlier.

Laughter is universal but it varies in age and gender. It is because different people find different things to be funny. People cannot control what they laugh at and what sounds come from their mouth. Although we might think jokes make people laugh the most, it is known that only 10% of laughter is caused by jokes.

People are 30 times more likely to laugh in the presence of others than alone, reinforcing the idea that laughter is a social phenomenon. Females laugh more than males because males tend to do the most laugh-getting and not laughing itself.

Scientists categorize laughter in these five categories

• Snorting: a snob expressing disaproval.
• Sniggering: intensive, unsympathetic and immature laughter.
• Cacling: loud, ape-like shrieks, enjoying the misfortune of other.
• Chuckling: kind and thoughful laughter.
• Belly-laugh: open and trustworthy laughter.
  

Some scientists say that there are only two types of laughter: the kind that comes from pure glee, and the kind that is meant to send a social message.

Laughter is said to be the best medicine. It reduces pain, reduces blood sugar levels, increases glucose tolerance, improves the immune system and leads to drop in levels of stress hormon. Moreover it is a safe method for the release of emotions such as anger and sadness. It can also improve job performance and stop bad dreams.

However, laughter can be used in negative way. There are slapstic, sadistic, mocking, nervous laughters that reveal the negative laughter. Laughter can be used to keep someone out of group, to humiliate someone that is different and so on.

In conclusion, pure laughter is a wonderful thing that makes people's lives much more amusing, entertaining and exciting. But people should be very careful with laughter that causes pain and sadness for others.

References:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-nature/emotion/other/laughter.htm

www.psychologytoday.com/articles/20011/the-cience-laughter

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm