P 8 of 10But why laughter ? Why this explosive, repetitive
sound? To an ethologist, on the other hand, any stereo-
typed vocalization almost always implies that the
organism is trying to communicate something to others
in the social group. Now what might this be in the case of
laughter ? I suggest that the main purpose of laughter
might be for the individual to alert others in the social
group (usually kin) that the detected anomaly is trivial,
nothing to worry about. The laughing person in e¡ect
announces her discovery that there has been a false
alarm, that the rest of you chaps need not waste your
precious energy and resources responding to a spurious
threat (or, perhaps, also to playfully censure minor viola-
tions of social taboos and norms).
http://psy.otago.ac.nz/r_oshea/br_laughter.htmlThe neurology of laughter also suggests new candidates for neural structures affecting rivalry.
The exact process of laughter is still not fully understood by scientists, but it is believed to be triggered by a combination of physical and psychological factors. Physically, laughter involves the contraction of various facial muscles and the release of endorphins in the brain. Psychologically, laughter can be triggered by a sense of humor, surprise, or social cues.
Laughter serves a variety of purposes, including social bonding, stress relief, and communication. It can also be a response to feelings of joy, happiness, or amusement. Some scientists also believe that laughter may have evolved as a way to signal safety and non-threatening behavior in social situations.
Yes, laughing has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits. It can help reduce stress, boost the immune system, and improve cardiovascular health. Laughing also releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce pain. Some studies have even shown that laughter can improve cognitive function and memory.
While infants have been observed smiling and making other facial expressions that resemble laughter, true laughter seems to be a learned behavior. Babies typically start laughing around 4 months old and often mimic the laughter of those around them. As we grow older, our sense of humor and what triggers laughter can also be influenced by our environment and experiences.
Yes, laughter can be faked. In fact, humans are one of the few animals that can produce a fake laugh. However, fake laughter is usually easy to spot as it lacks the genuine physical and psychological triggers that cause real laughter. Genuine laughter also tends to be contagious, while fake laughter usually isn't.