Psychology of laughter

First of all,what is such a thing as laughter? Laughter is a part of human behavior regulated by the brain or it is a sound that can be heard. Strong laughter can sometimes bring an onset of tears or even moderate muscular pain as a physical response to the act. 

Laughter is an universal thing but it depends on age and gender.For example, females laugh more than males because males tend to do the most laugh-getting and not laughing itself. Other reason is because different people find different things to be funny. 

People cannot control what they laugh at and what sounds come from their mouth. Although we might think jokes make people laugh the most, it is known that only 10% of laughter is caused by jokes.Drugs such as cannabis can also create a strong laughter. Also Aristotle confirmed that people laugh at inferior or ugly individuals, because they feel a joy at being superior to them.Most often, people laugh with others but not alone, because laughter is a social phenomenon.

There are several types of laughter:

•  Snorting:It means  a snob expressing disapproval.
•  Sniggering: intensive, unsympathetic and immature laughter.
•  Cackling: loud,  enjoying the misfortune of other.
•  Chuckling: kind and thoughtful laughter.
•  Belly-laugh: open and trustworthy laughter.

So, why laughter is beneficial? It makes us feel joy and relief,also it reduces pain and helps us to tolerate discomfort and  it reduces blood sugar levels, increases glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics alike. It is believed that one of the most essential function of laughter is to bring people together. 

But sometimes laughter can be negatyve thing. There are sadistic, mocking, nervous laughters that reveal the negative laughter. Laughter can be used to keep someone out of group, to humiliate someone that is different and so on.

Finally, I would liko to say that laughter can have a negative side, but even though, it is a brilliant thing,which makes people life easier,more interesting and exciting.

References:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laughter.htm

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200011/the-science-laughter