Laugh like a whale, a hunchback, full throat ... You surely already know a whole lot about laughter (and its expressions). But did you know that a sense of humor was inherited? That laughter can sometimes be fatal? Here are 10 things you (probably) don't know about laughter.
1.In humans, laughter is not acquired but innate: unlike languages, laughter cannot be learned! Some scientists believe that humans communicated through laughter several thousand years before developing sufficient lung capacity for language. In babies, laughter also appears before language: from 4 or 5 months against a year for the first words. The earliest laughter has even been seen in infants as young as 17 days old.
2.Man is not the only social animal that laughs. Contrary to the expression "laughing like a whale" indicates, cetaceans do not have the ability to curl, but it is indeed the case of rats and monkeys. Koko, the female gorilla renowned for her ability to speak in sign language, was very good at mastering laughter and had a special "ho ho" for her favorite visitors. As for rats, they seem to have very ticklish necks. Scientists have found that these rodents emit very high-pitched chirps, which have been interpreted as laughter.
3.It is well known: when you see someone laughing, you smile- it is on this observation that "laughter therapy" is based. According to a study by Dr. Sophie Scott, a researcher at University College London, it is a mechanism in your brain. By observing the brains of subjects listening to recorded laughter, he noticed that the premotor cortex region was activated. It is this region that prepares the muscles of the face to move. Through his extensive research on the subject, he quickly realized that we were about 30 times more likely to laugh when someone was already working around us.
4.Laughing is also good for the figure! According to a study from Vanderbilt University, 10 to 15 minutes of laughing per day can burn up to 40 calories. Indeed, by increasing the heart rate and oxygen consumption, a good laugh would stimulate the loss of calories. Numerous studies have already proven that it helps maintain the body in good health and, more particularly, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, and benefit from better heart health.
5. It's good for morale- According to Scott Weems, a specialist in cognitive neuroscience, laughing is so good for morale that it allows us to feel as much pleasure as eating chocolate. A recognized remedy for the blues, which boosts dopamine production, or the hormone of happiness as it is sometimes nicknamed.
6.Cultural differences in Humor Perception -For the British psychologist Richard Wiseman, no doubt, our humor would be conditioned by the country where we live and the culture to which we belong. After observations, he affirms, for example, that Americans would be more inclined to laugh when a balance of power comes into play. Europeans, for their part, would prefer black humor and potentially anxiety-provoking themes such as marriage or illness. As for the British, who stand out, they tend to play with words to amuse the audience.
7. An unstoppable seduction asset- Especially for men, according to Robert Provine, who notes a certain lag in terms of reaction and behavior. According to her research, women laugh on average 126% more than men in a mixed conversation. These gentlemen would apparently rather provoke laughter than rely on their partner. It must be said that they have some sort of pressure since 62% of women would specify that they are looking for a man with a sense of humor!
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