Happily Ever Laughter: An Examination of the Benefits of Laughter

51 unlike many sources, it gave the specifics on how it benefits these factors within your life instead of merely stating the facts.

Philby, Charlotte. "Revealed: The Serious Science behind a Baby's Laugh." The Independent.

N.p., 24 Oct. 2012. Web. <http://www.independent.co.uk/>. 12 Nov. 2012.

This source provided an insight behind a relatively new idea of how laughter could potentially diagnose children with disorders (such as autism or Down Syndrome) at a very young age and lead to a consequent intervention. This article, therefore, truly showed how laughter is able to literally change the lives of many for the better.

Plato. "Philebus." The Internet Classics Archive. Trans. Benjamin Jowett. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.

This text works to depict Plato’s opinion on laughter. Plato believed laughter to be spiteful and derisive, and it is in this text that it is directly described and stated. Therefore, this proved useful in adding depth to the philosophical evolution.

Plato. "The Republic." The Internet Classics Archive. Trans. Benjamin Jowett. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.

This further demonstrates Plato’s view on laughter; his negative opinions on laughter allow for an effective contrast to the modern day beliefs of laughter. It, too, develops the philosophical evolution of laughter throughout the centuries. Because Plato is without a doubt one of the most famous philosopher’s, his work certainly proved useful in this section.

Price, Alan. "Why Is Laughter Contagious?" PsyArticles, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.

This source discussed the contagion of laughter. It gave a detailed overview of why and how laughter is contagious—relating it to a human instinct that we cannot consciously control. It was not only fascinating, but also provided much of the information needed to develop an argument that laughter is contagious.

Provine, Robert R. Laughter: A Scientific Investigation. New York: Viking, 2000. Print.

Provine works to examine the effects laughter has on relationships, exploring the idea that laughter demonstrates social power. In addition, it portrays when one laughs in conversation and how that has an effect on the relationship with someone. This source, thus, provides clear details on many of the social benefits, and provide many facts as a result of experiments which Provine also provides details on.

Ramachandran, V. S. "The Neurology and Evolution of Humor, Laughter, and Smiling." Medical Hypotheses. N.p., 2 June 1997. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.

The source delves into the neurology of laughter and what happens in the brain when one laughs; it explains how both sides of the brain are working during the process. Ramachandran was exceedingly detailed and clear in his description of laughter and the brain.