Understanding Laughter and Humor: Why We Laugh, Why We Don’t, and Why It Matters

Author:   John Charles Simon ,  Jennalee Donian
Publisher:   Springer International Publishing AG
Edition:   Second Edition 2025
ISBN:  

9783031879500


Pages:   284
Publication Date:   03 July 2025
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   Not yet available   Availability explained
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

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Understanding Laughter and Humor: Why We Laugh, Why We Don’t, and Why It Matters


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Overview

This book puts forward a revolutionary and comprehensive theoretical approach to understanding laughter and the humor we use to inspire it. This new perspective applies an evolutionary and biological lens through which we can fully appreciate these complex, universal human behaviors. It distinguishes itself from all classical and contemporary theories by revealing laughter’s singular message, rather than simply its causes and effects, and makes clear why perceptions of vulnerability and status are ever-present in our conscious and subconscious thoughts. The theory underscores our innate desire to cooperate, our respect for those who compete fairly, and our disdain for those who do not. And it sheds light on the social dynamics governing human interactions, both positive and negative, by recognizing laughter not as a reflexive reaction to a certain class of stimuli, but as a vital form of nonverbal communication—not only for us, but for our great ape cousins as well.

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Author:   John Charles Simon ,  Jennalee Donian
Publisher:   Springer International Publishing AG
Imprint:   Palgrave Macmillan
Edition:   Second Edition 2025
ISBN:  

9783031879500


ISBN 10:   3031879503
Pages:   284
Publication Date:   03 July 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available   Availability explained
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.
Language:   English

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John Charles Simon, a retired wildlife biologist, is now an independent scholar, writer, and consultant. He authors the PsychologyToday.com blog Laughter and Humor 101. Dr Jennalee Donian is a postdoctoral fellow in humor studies at Nelson Mandela University, and recognized as one of South Africa’s foremost humor researchers.

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