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Introduction Introduction
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Humor in Evolutionary Perspective Humor in Evolutionary Perspective
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Humor as an Emotion Humor as an Emotion
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Evolved Basis Evolved Basis
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Expressions Expressions
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A Possible Functional Explanation A Possible Functional Explanation
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The Mystery of Humor The Mystery of Humor
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Benefits to the Recipient Benefits to the Recipient
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Benefits to the Humorist Benefits to the Humorist
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Other Functional Explanations of Humor Other Functional Explanations of Humor
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Correction of Deviant Behavior Correction of Deviant Behavior
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Competition Competition
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Group Solidarity Group Solidarity
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Health Health
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Psychological Benefits Psychological Benefits
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Courtship Courtship
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Marriage Marriage
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Development Development
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Individual Differences Individual Differences
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Humor and Play Humor and Play
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Neural Bases Neural Bases
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Humor Comprehension Humor Comprehension
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Humor Appreciation Humor Appreciation
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Laughter Laughter
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Humor Pathology Humor Pathology
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Conclusions Conclusions
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References References
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28 Humor
Get accessGlenn E. Weisfeld, Department of Psychology, Wayne State University
Carol Cronin Weisfeld, Psychology Department, University of Detroit Mercy
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Published:22 May 2024
Cite
Abstract
Humor has been studied from an evolutionary point of view beginning with Darwin. Some evolutionary theorists have regarded humor as a universal emotion. With its distinct affect and expression, humor meets most criteria for having an evolved basis. The expression of laughter has homologues in other primates and, as in children, is observed during tickling and other social play. This chapter proposes a functional theory of laughter that attempts to account for the fitness benefits for recipient and producer of humor. The recipient gains information and practice that are of later utility in social encounters. Alternative functional explanations for humor are reviewed, but these often feature group selection ideas and fail to account for the fitness value for the humorist. Humor appreciation is correlated with health, but mainly because healthy people are less anxious and hence disposed to appreciate jokes.
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