What is the biological purpose of humor?
by 
Oxyfreshness
ANSWERS: 11
-
My husband has a Master's in anthropology. He told me that smiling was actually a fear or pain response. I am extrapolating that humor is a modern day stress valve. Think about it: if a guy stands on stage and tells the world's GODAWFULLEST joke, some portion of the audience is always gonna laugh anyway. Because, it's for US not HIM. WE NEED IT, to relieve ourselves after a day of "yessir"'ing it to the boss all day long. Great question, btw! Thumbs-up. I hope you'll have others attempt to answer.
-
While we are flashing creds, I have an MA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology and Anthropology. But that's just school larnin'. Experience and self study have never stopped for me. My response: It releases endorphins in the brain leading to a sense of well being. It communicate "good will." It creates a sense of community. And just yesterday, a study released data showing that laughter is "contagious." When you laugh, the laugh area in the brain of those around you activates and they laugh too. This seems to address community bonding and stress relief, and even a degree of pain control due to the chemicals in the brain. BTW, I agree with the first poster as well. This is supplemental.
-
A chinese sage once said that humor comes from recognizing the futility of life. Thus, we laugh when life itself becomes painfully absurd.
-
What is the biological purpose of humor? Certainly we can observe biological benefits from laughing, smiling, and positive social interaction. It is worth noting that only humans engage in humor and that all other organisms are able to survive without humor. Apparently then, humor is not required for life. In fact, many organisms do not have tails, or wings, and so apparently these things are not required for life either. So it goes for all the characteristics of living things, except those specific characteristics that define life itself. Does it become apparent that the variety of life and our ability to engage in humor may have purpose beyond that of mere biology?
-
Probably to diffuse a situation that could end up in unneccessary violence?
-
Humor is not a biological function like sneezing, therefore cannot be answered in those terms. It has its roots in group cooperation. Necessary in the formation of community. Needed for survival.
-
Also, it may serve, entwined with the stress release valve, happiness, and community purposes, like "peacock feathers". Since a good sense of humor will release a feeling of happiness, people are going to be attracted to them. A good way to find a mate.
-
Useful coping skill and all-around suicide preventative. If you can laugh about your terrible circumstances you will survive them.
-
It keeps me alive.
-
A sense of humor is a genetic disposition. If you know any "funny people" try checking for a tear drop pattern in the skin ridge pattern below and between the ring and little fingers on either (or rarely both) palms. This pattern indicates a person who is humerous, funny or even hilarious!
-
To make liquids like water, soda and beer go thru your nose if you laugh while drinking, thus, cleaning all the air passages
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC