Name: Why we laugh
Uploaded: 2015-04-30T15:00:30Z
Duration: 16 min 55 s
Description: Did you know that you're 30 times more likely to laugh if you're with somebody else than if you're alone? Cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott shares this and other surprising facts about laughter in this fast-paced, action-packed and, yes, hilarious dash through the science of cracking up.

Sophie Scott: Why we laugh

Why we laugh

Did you know that you're 30 times more likely to laugh if you're with somebody else than if you're alone? Cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott shares this and other surprising facts about laughter in this fast-paced, action-packed and, yes, hilarious dash through the science of cracking up.

Laughter is far more than a response to humor; it is a deeply social behavior that connects people and regulates emotion. People are thirty times more likely to laugh around others than when alone, highlighting its role in building relationships. Mammals from humans to rats use laughter in play and social interaction, revealing its evolutionary roots. Real and posed laughter even activate different areas in the brain, showing how nuanced and meaningful this instinct truly is.

Laughter Is a Social Bonding Superpower Rooted in Evolution

How we make people laugh in the name of science

science

animals

cognitive science

evolution

psychology

communication

brain

sociology

humor

neuroscience

human body

TED Stage Talk