The Dark Side of Laughter

Laughter has a good reputation. It is associated with smiles and amusement and when we do it heartily, it makes us feel good. However, laughter is a powerful tool and can also be used as a weapon.

We may assume that laughter is always good. Certainly, the vast majority of our laughter is joyful and positive and designed to build and strengthen bonds between us. But this is not always the case. We know that children generally laugh a lot more than adults do but some of this laughter may be exclusive rather than inclusive and cruel rather than kind. Many of us will have memories of times in the school playground when we have felt uncomfortable, excluded and unhappy when surrounded by laughter.

Because laughter is a connecting force it can signal belonging to or exclusion from a social group. In team-building exercises for instance, it is vital that laughter be used respectfully, appropriately and authentically. Laughter is part of communication. It is a powerful yet subtle and context-based non-verbal signal. It affects both the laugher and the person or people listening to laughter. Because of the contagious nature of laughing, it infects the mood of a group.

When we interpret the laughter of others we do so in the light of previous experience and relationships, considering the present context. Laughter which makes fun of others is uncomfortable. Many stand-up comedians make a living riding on the edge of discomfort and even disgust. A natural antidote to these emotions may be laughter in some circumstances.

A good way to get people to laugh, which has been used in several studies on laughter, is to create circumstances when people are trying hard not to laugh. We tend to laugh even more when we know that we should not be laughing – somehow the effort of suppressing laughter, especially when with friends, amplifies and intensifies the laughter.  Perhaps you have had that experience?

Although laughter is regarded positively almost universally, there are different cultural norms in expressing laughter. In some Eastern countries women often hide or turn away their faces when laughing as it is thought to be impolite to laugh in public. It was even a custom to paint teeth black so that they were not obviously exposed during smiling or laughing.  Exposing the white of teeth was considered crude, animalistic behaviour.   

Some people living with neuro-diversity may find laughter disturbing. Gelatophobia is the fear of laughter and there are degrees of this which may affect people. Hearing the sound of laughter is a powerful emotional trigger and can spark unhappy memories.

Laughing at people is unkind. It has been reported that some of the mass killers at schools in the U.S. have been laughing as they have committed autrocities. The lack of laughing early in life has been associated with sociopathic behaviour.

One dark but useful form of laughter is expressed through ‘gallows humour’. When people in incredibly difficult situations use humour to cope with what is thrown at them. Emergency service workers, for example, often let off steam together by laughing. David Baddiel described laughter as “coping with the uncopiable with”.

And one dark fun fact to finish. Where does the expression ‘laughing his head off’ come from? In 1747 the 11th Lord Lovatt, having been found guilty of treason was about to be executed in front of a large crowd on a timber stand next to the gallows. As he was about to lay his head on the chopping block, the scaffolding collapsed and some of his accusers died as they fell to the ground.

When is the last time you laughed your head off? 

Anna

15th July 2024