What Makes People Laugh?

If this question had a simple answer, such as a formula that we could learn, then every comedian would know it! But laughter is a complicated thing, and the best explanations of it are still only theories.

Laughter is an expression of many feelings and is found only among human beings. But psychologists are still studying two basic questions about laughter - what makes people laugh, and what is the function/purpose of laughter?

You might think that we laugh when we perceive something funny. But the obvious answer is not correct, at least most of the time. When you try to think of what makes people laugh, or what people consider funny, you become concerned with people’s reactions to other people in all kinds of situations - for example, why people laugh when they see awkwardness or some kind of weakness or imperfection in another person.

Another explanation of laughter is that it depends on our suddenly seeing some incongruity; that is, things that don’t naturally go together. But this theory fails to explain many other reasons for laughter that have to do with comic, the humorous, and so on.

From physical point of view - laughter is good for health.  Laughter reduces our stress levels by reducing the level of stress hormones, and also helps us cope with serious illnesses. Another benefit of laughter is that it improves our over-all mental health. Pent up negative emotions, such as anger, fear, and sadness, can cause biochemical changes in our bodies that can produce a harmful effect. Laughter provides a harmless outlet for these negative emotions, and provides a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult or stressful situations.

Laughter also has great social value. We usually laugh as members of a group. Laughter is used by social groups as a way of commenting on the behaviour of people and making them conform to our standards.