statement or situation. Most laughs follow utterly banal comments, like, “See you later” or “I think I’m done.” As Provine and others observe, “The essential ingredient for laughter is not a joke, but another person,” making laughter primarily a social lubricant. Laughter is 30 times more likely to occur in group situations than on solitary occasions, and Provine’s research reveals tantalizing insights into the way it structures our daily interactions: Speakers laugh more than listeners; women laugh more than men; laughter punctuates our phrases, but doesn’t interrupt them; and laughter is contagious. During an episode of laughter, we can signal appreciation and understanding of others. Perhaps more importantly, says Provine, we share a mental and acoustic space. “Laughter puts us into side-by-side existence in this playful realm,” says Keltner. “It signals a shared understanding of the world, so it’s foundational to interdependence and intimacy and like-mindedness.” In short, laughter is the glue that holds people together, a bridge between our self and others. “Our relationships,” concludes Keltner, “are only as good as our histories of laughter together.” Blaine Greteman is a freelance writer and professor of English at the University of Iowa. Connect at Blaine-Greteman@UIowa.edu.
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