Laughter and Humor 101

Laughter

Reflecting on Oversexed Characters in Television Comedies

John Charles Simon on March 30, 2026

One of the more common character “types” in modern Western sitcoms appears to be suffering (but also not suffering) from hypersexuality. A novel laughter theory helps explain why.

One of the more common character “types” in modern Western sitcoms appears to be suffering (but also not suffering) from hypersexuality. A novel laughter theory helps explain why.

Laughter

Anatoly: An In-depth Look at His Heavyweight Humor

John Charles Simon on February 26, 2026

Prankster Anatoly gives his victims a false sense of superiority before turning the tables. Humbled by his strength, they often respond with laughter.

Prankster Anatoly gives his victims a false sense of superiority before turning the tables. Humbled by his strength, they often respond with laughter.

Laughter

The “Ins” and “Outs” of Comedy: Dealing With the Outflow

John Charles Simon on January 28, 2026

Why does humor often reference things emanating from the body, like runny noses, body odor, or waste products? A new theory of laughter provides the most complete explanation yet.

Why does humor often reference things emanating from the body, like runny noses, body odor, or waste products? A new theory of laughter provides the most complete explanation yet.

Evolutionary Psychology

Understanding the 'Ins' and 'Outs' of Comedy: What Goes In…

John Charles Simon on December 30, 2025

Why does some humor relate to basic physical maintenance—breathing, drinking, and eating? As long as they're relatively minor, threats to one’s well-being can be amusing.

Why does some humor relate to basic physical maintenance—breathing, drinking, and eating? As long as they're relatively minor, threats to one’s well-being can be amusing.

Evolutionary Psychology

How Lies Can Lead to Laughter

John Charles Simon on November 29, 2025

Deception is a common means of highlighting vulnerability and fostering amusement. Failed lies have further negative consequences and successful ones reveal a victim’s gullibility.

Deception is a common means of highlighting vulnerability and fostering amusement. Failed lies have further negative consequences and successful ones reveal a victim’s gullibility.

Evolutionary Psychology

Jane Goodall and Our Understanding of Laughter’s Origins

John Charles Simon on October 28, 2025

Jane Goodall’s life included years of detailed field observations and decades of tirelessly advocating for great ape conservation. Her legacy will inspire many generations to come.

Jane Goodall’s life included years of detailed field observations and decades of tirelessly advocating for great ape conservation. Her legacy will inspire many generations to come.

Humor

Humorous or Humorless?

John Charles Simon on September 29, 2025

A Personal Perspective: Strained relations in American politics are reflected in our use of humor.

A Personal Perspective: Strained relations in American politics are reflected in our use of humor.

Humor

Why So Many Lawyer Jokes? The Sequel

John Charles Simon on August 28, 2025

Qualities associated with the law profession lend themselves to denigrating forms of humor.

Qualities associated with the law profession lend themselves to denigrating forms of humor.

Humor

Why So Many Lawyer Jokes? Cracking the Case

John Charles Simon on July 30, 2025

For a variety of reasons, some professions seem to motivate an inordinate amount of critical humor. I discuss why this is particularly true of the legal community.

For a variety of reasons, some professions seem to motivate an inordinate amount of critical humor. I discuss why this is particularly true of the legal community.

Humor

Metahumor: The Joy That Sometimes Hides in Plain Sight

John Charles Simon on June 27, 2025

Comedy has proliferated in the last hundred years, and so has our interest in the process. When attempts at humor fail for some reason, that, too, can become the subject of jokes.

Comedy has proliferated in the last hundred years, and so has our interest in the process. When attempts at humor fail for some reason, that, too, can become the subject of jokes.

Laughter

Fake Flaws, Genuine Laughter

John Charles Simon on May 29, 2025

Laughter can be inspired by just the perception of vulnerability, like seeing your distorted image in a funhouse mirror or a character being chased in a video game.

Laughter can be inspired by just the perception of vulnerability, like seeing your distorted image in a funhouse mirror or a character being chased in a video game.

Humor

Humor as an Instrument of Social Criticism and Renewal

John Charles Simon on April 29, 2025

In an interview with South African scholar Jennalee Donian, we discuss how humor can be used to spotlight social inequality, motivate change, and foster reconciliation.

In an interview with South African scholar Jennalee Donian, we discuss how humor can be used to spotlight social inequality, motivate change, and foster reconciliation.

Laughter

If You Think Growing Older Isn’t Funny, Think Again

John Charles Simon on March 27, 2025

If we’re lucky enough to grow old, we’re destined to confront the difficulties that accompany that process. Thankfully, they offer plentiful opportunities for laughter.

If we’re lucky enough to grow old, we’re destined to confront the difficulties that accompany that process. Thankfully, they offer plentiful opportunities for laughter.

Evolutionary Psychology

Why You Can’t Tickle Yourself

John Charles Simon on February 27, 2025

We can laugh at our own jokes, mistakes, and pratfalls, but for some reason, we can’t tickle ourselves into a bout of genuine laughter. A new theory reveals the reason why.

We can laugh at our own jokes, mistakes, and pratfalls, but for some reason, we can’t tickle ourselves into a bout of genuine laughter. A new theory reveals the reason why.

Laughter

They Cry, We Laugh

John Charles Simon on January 27, 2025

Laughing at those who are crying is sometimes done with malice; more often it’s a caring response to those who appear a bit overly emotional or are simply shedding tears of joy.

Laughing at those who are crying is sometimes done with malice; more often it’s a caring response to those who appear a bit overly emotional or are simply shedding tears of joy.

Laughter

Why You Get the Giggles

John Charles Simon on December 28, 2024

Most laughter is expressed openly, but giggling seems to be much more restrained. A theory provides clues about why this variety of laughter takes the form it does.

Most laughter is expressed openly, but giggling seems to be much more restrained. A theory provides clues about why this variety of laughter takes the form it does.

Humor

Celebrity Down: Why Superstars Air Their "Dirty Laundry"

John Charles Simon on November 27, 2024

Whenever celebrities are interviewed, they tend to recall embarrassing situations they’ve experienced. Now we understand exactly why such anecdotes often endear them to their fans.

Whenever celebrities are interviewed, they tend to recall embarrassing situations they’ve experienced. Now we understand exactly why such anecdotes often endear them to their fans.

Laughter

The Humor in Horror

John Charles Simon on October 29, 2024

In what seems a peculiar mix, laughter and humor are increasingly melded with the genre of horror. A new theory helps us understand the single concept that ties them all together.

In what seems a peculiar mix, laughter and humor are increasingly melded with the genre of horror. A new theory helps us understand the single concept that ties them all together.

Laughter

What Are You Laughing At Me For?

John Charles Simon on September 26, 2024

Laughter can come about because of our own actions, but also those we are close to. When fates are linked, the vulnerabilities revealed by one can affect the status of all.

Laughter can come about because of our own actions, but also those we are close to. When fates are linked, the vulnerabilities revealed by one can affect the status of all.

Laughter

Sharing Laughter With Our Furry and Feathered Friends

John Charles Simon on August 29, 2024

Laughing with chimps, gorillas, and orangutans makes sense—we’re expressing the same sentiment. Laughing with (or at) our pets is different, yet we do it anyway. Here’s why.

Laughing with chimps, gorillas, and orangutans makes sense—we’re expressing the same sentiment. Laughing with (or at) our pets is different, yet we do it anyway. Here’s why.