Why do we find certain things funny?

[Skhandelwal]

What's funny to one person isn't funny to another. Some say it is gross, while other give it a good laugh. I started to notice a pattern that comedyness has some blend of stupidiness into it but I was proven wrong later on. There are moments we laugh, what makes laugh?(humorly)

Is it a case of opinion of do scientist have answers to this?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[tony134340]

I've seemed to notice it's when someone is being ignorant. I can't go into all the technical biological details as some here on the chemicals involved but I have noticed it's when someone is being ignorant. Name any instance where a laugh can't be contributed to it.

Now as to why, I guess it comes down to man just being more light-hearted to someone who displays it. Since the person isn't perceived as a threat, it makes us feel better about them and more trustworthy since we can see an inherent weakness. And also our parenting side comes into play giving us perhaps a need to take care of the person or befriend them. But don't get me wrong on the ignorance, it's not meant in a derogatory way. A kitten is ignorant of the world when first born just as we all are yet it makes us laugh or smile. Someone does a clumsy action portraying, in a sense, they are ignorant or unobservant of things around them. And if they're not hurt, we may laugh and feel a caring for them since we see a weak side of them.

Yeah, I'm no neurologist, but no one else responded so I thought I would give you my 2 cents.

 

[ravenprp]

The question of why we find certain things funny is a complex and subjective one. What one person finds funny may not be amusing to another, and this is due to a combination of personal taste, cultural influences, and individual experiences. Humor is a highly individualized phenomenon and can vary greatly from person to person.

Some may argue that humor is rooted in our evolutionary biology, as laughter is a natural response to things that are unexpected or surprising. In this sense, humor may have developed as a way to cope with stress and tension, and to strengthen social bonds within a group. However, this does not fully explain why certain things are funny to some people and not to others.

There is also a social aspect to humor, as what is considered funny is often influenced by our cultural norms and values. For example, certain types of humor may be more acceptable in some cultures than others. Additionally, our personal experiences and backgrounds can shape what we find funny. Something that may be hilarious to someone who has experienced a similar situation may not be as funny to someone who has not.

It is also worth considering that humor is constantly evolving and changing. What was considered funny in the past may not be as amusing to us now, as our society and cultural norms have shifted. For example, slapstick humor was popular in the early days of film, but may not be as well-received in today's society.

In terms of whether scientists have answers to what makes us laugh, there is ongoing research in the field of psychology and neuroscience on the topic of humor. However, humor is a complex and subjective phenomenon, making it difficult to pinpoint a definitive answer. Ultimately, what makes us laugh is a combination of our individual preferences, cultural influences, and personal experiences.