Not all laughs are created equal. Sometimes it’s a quiet chuckle, other times an uncontrollable snort. One internet user once joked that their laugh is like rolling dice—each one different, but all genuine. Turns out, there’s real science behind that variety.
Experts say our laughs change based on mood, social setting, and intention. Judi James, a body language specialist, explains that we all have a “range of different laughs” we use depending on the situation—whether we’re bonding with friends, being polite at a formal event, or trying to fit in socially. Laughter is flexible, and much like accents or code-switching, we adjust it unconsciously to suit our surroundings.
Physiologically, laughter involves the brain’s limbic system, vocal cords, lungs, and more. But the emotional state can shift the tone. A laugh on a bad day might be more subdued, while spontaneous joy leads to louder, less filtered reactions. Laughter can even happen in sad or tense moments—not because something is funny, but because we're connecting with others. As psychologist Robert Provine noted, “The necessary stimulus for laughter is not a joke, but another person.”
Laughter is also contagious and learned. We’re 30 times more likely to laugh in the presence of others than when we’re alone. Over time, we may even start mimicking the laughs of people close to us. Social laughter helps build bonds and eases tension, even if it isn’t fully genuine.
But what does a "real" laugh sound like? According to James, it’s the kind that bursts out without warning—loud, unfiltered, and sometimes embarrassing. It’s the laugh that happens when we forget to be self-conscious. Still, even our varied laughs share common features that let us recognize them instantly as laughter.
In the end, whether it’s a giggle, snort, or belly laugh, our laughter reflects who we are and how we connect with others. It may not always be polished, but it’s always human.
Source: The Swaddle
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