Humor Sapiens

The laughing ape and other insights into the nature of funny.

Gil Greengross Ph.D.

Thinking about Death and Pain Makes People Funnier

Death anxiety may promotes humor creativity

Want to Increase Trust in Others? Just Smile

Want to Increase Trust in Others? Just Smile

Good In Bed: Funny Men Give More Orgasms

Women with humorous partners experience more and stronger orgasms

Why Your Sense of Humor Is Crucial to Your Dating Success

What type of humor is best for dating?

Do Funny People Also Enjoy Humor More?

Do funny people also enjoy humor more?

Do Comedians Possess Bipolar Traits?

Do Comedians Possess Bipolar Traits?

“You Suck!” and “Show Me Your Jugs!”

Why are there so few female comedians? The question of gender and comedy

Comedians’ Smarts, Humor, and Creativity

How smart are stand-up comedians?

Why Do Comedians Become Comedians?

Why Do Comedians Become Comedians? Childhood experiences of professional comedians and their influence on their career

How Healthy are Stand-up Comedians?

How Healthy are Stand-up Comedians?

How Comedians are like Mountain Climbers

How Comedians are like Mountain Climbers

The Fascinating Life of Comedians

What is so interesting about stand-up comedians?

UFC Fighters Who Smile Before a Fight Lose More

The idea behind the study is that people who smile more or have more intense smiles, are less aggressive in nature and also tend to have lower testosterone levels, compared to those who smile less or have weaker smiles. To test their hypothesis, the researchers coded the smile intensity of 152 UFC fighters one day prior to their fight.

Comedians, Athletes and Performers Die Younger

On the different lifespans of comedians, creative people and athletes.

Grooming Each Other with Laughter

What is the Ideal Number of People to Share a Joke With?

When do Tragedies Become Funny?

What makes tragedies funny?

You Think You’re So Funny—If You’re a Man, You Might Be Right

Can Humor and Laughter Boost Your Health?

Do Men and Women Process Humor Differently?

What Your Facebook Picture Reveals about You

Why Jokes Are Seductive

Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Laugh

Does Racist Humor Promote Racism?

Consider the following joke: 1) Why aren't Jews concerned about the abortion controversy? Because they don't consider a fetus viable until after it graduates from medical school.

Are Women More Attracted to Men Who Court Them with Humor?

Laughing All the Way to the Bedroom

The Long-Lasting Effect of a Smile

Smiling is a powerful facial expression with a long-lasting effect on our lives.