English
It´s ironic that most of the academic research done on laughter and humour is so un-funny. In fact, it´s usually downright boring. And the results are not really all that conclusive. We kind of know why humans laugh (a physical reaction to humour) but all the theories about why we find things funny are really just that – educated guesses.
Here´s what we do know about laughter:
– Humans are not the only ones who do it. Apes definitely laugh, although the sound is a bit different from ours. Theirs is more like a pant. But this sound only occurs when playing, or when being tickled. Occasionally it happens when a fellow ape slips on a banana peel (well, perhaps that last part was made up).
– Rats laugh too. Yep, rats, and most other rodents too. Ferrets in particular are known to respond well to rough physical play (not the kind that hurts) like being swung around in a bag. Disneyland isn´t just for the Mouse.
– We laugh long before we can talk. Humour, or at least the laugh-response, isn´t just limited to language-based jokes. Play peek-a-boo with a five-month old and you´ll see what we mean.
– Laughter is a social bonding mechanism. There is something about hearing laughter that relaxes us, and it is really is infectious. We almost never laugh alone, but almost always laugh when someone else is laughing. This is why the laugh-track was born – so that even unfunny shows could occasionally raise a smile.
– Surprise humour needs to be non-threatening to make someone laugh. If Dad is playing gentle peekaboo with Little Johnny, the little guy is surprised by the appearance of Dad, and is probably going to laugh. If Dad kicks down Little Johnny´s door in the middle of the night running a chainsaw, this is also surprising, but probably not so funny.
– We laugh at other people´s misfortunes, as long as they´re not too bad. Sad but true. The scientists tell us it´s an evolutionary thing – we are a competitive species and watching someone else walk into a lamp-post is a reminder that we are superior to others. An alternative theory is that the face made by someone catching a football with their shorts is simply priceless.
– Surreal humour is actually easier to ´get´ than ´real´ humour.
Two polar bears are sitting on an ice-berg. One turns to the other and says “You know, I keep thinking it´s Thursday.”
This kind of joke goes over really well with the Monty Python crowd, while most of us will be sitting in silence looking confused. Scientists used to think that this kind of humour (that never tied up all the loose ends) was more difficult to ´get´ than other kinds. Turns out it´s not the case. To grasp all the loose ends in a ´tidy´ joke and be able to construct them in a meaningful way is – apparently – a delicate and sophisticated task. Maybe so, but this doesn´t stop the Dead Parrot sketch from being hilarious.
Renting apartments in Malaga will help you remember to laugh when your inexpensive holiday takes away your cares.
