eli5 Why do humans laugh? What do humans benefit from developing the ability to laugh?
In: Biology
Great question, I think about this a lot and it’s complex and knowing the exact science behind it is beyond difficult to know or explain……but I’m so confused. I posted about whether if I (my fiance) has to kill a mouse if it’s family will fret or wonder where it’s mum or dad is, and it’s removed because it’s so complex….. I just wanted opinions lol…. This sub confuses me!
But I’ll be following because laughing is such a weird think and I’m keen to know if anyone can explain it like we are 5 🤷🏻♀️
(Doesn’t explain laughing fully because no one knows exactly, just that it’s weird and feels relieving)
Generally, our brains figure they’ve got stuff figured out and it just does its thing. Jokes take this certainty and flips it on its head and all around by adding in something unexpected. The brain doesn’t know what exactly us going on, and that’s threatening to its certainty and causes the laugh response, which brings up happy chemicals. So, *alleviation* seems like the biggest effect.
People are social by nature and require a certain amount of social interaction. Laughter allows us to build relationships and form bonds in our community! It’s a great communication tool that conveys being comfortable and happy.
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