Laughter – where it comes from, what it is and what it serves? Cover Image

Śmiech - skąd pochodzi, czym jest i czemu służy?
Laughter – where it comes from, what it is and what it serves?

Author(s): Julia NETER
Subject(s): Psychology, Behaviorism, Evaluation research
Published by: Uniwersytet Opolski
Keywords: laughter; expression of laughter; emotions; well-being; positive psychology;

Summary/Abstract: Laughter as a kind of expression and communication evolved much earlier than speech, being a signal of cooperation. In this respect, it has a more basic function than a smile. The main aim of this work is to answer the questions: where laughter comes from, what it is and what it serves, and to solve the problem of its multifunctionality. As part of the analysis, we investigated contemporary literature on the subject matter of the title and outlined in turn the phylogeny and ontogenesis of laughter in animals and humans as congenital behaviour. Then its „production” was presented (also the one that is created during tickling) and expression and induction with pathological motifs. The last part of the article deals with the social functions of laughter, especially its influence on functional well-being. The end of the article describes further direction of necessary scientific verifications as well as challenges faced by positive psychology.

  • Issue Year: 2018
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 15-30
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish