The Article Is about Laughter Written by Provine - Essay Example

Provine’s article is about laughter, the various nuances behind laughter, what makes laughter strange, under what circumstances are people compelled to laugh, and how familiar it is According to Provine, laughter by virtue of its mere existence is a strange phenomenon.  He describes laughter as a “regular series of short, vowel-like syllables that are usually transcribed in English as “ha-ha”, “ho-ho” or “he-he”.” These aforementioned words are a part of different human vocabulary and cultures but are recognized by all cultures and languages around the world.

Provine’s article is a 30-year research on what he considered as the fundamental of behavior, the pillar of human nature. He followed the behavioral neuroscience route in his quest for search in laughter. He researched neurological mechanisms that make muscle contractions and direct laughter behavior. He claimed that in the past research on laughter has established claims such as laughter helping people snap out of the common cold, increases creativity, and even lifts depression. While these insights into laughter are welcome, Provine’s research was done more on tactical grounds. He felt that laughter presented him with significant “scientific leverage” that helped him address different related questions.  One doesn’t fare any better than another person on the reasons behind which the laugh. Laughter and logic don’t go hand in hand. Logic fails when laughter says coming. Laughter speaks for itself through objective measurements and descriptions. We should not try to impose our designs or our logic on the cryptic message behind laughter. (Provine)
Panksepp and Burdgoff’s article:
This article is titled ‘‘Laughing’’ rats and the evolutionary antecedents of human joy? It begins with an insight into Paul MacLean’s concept of epistemic. The latter was a neuroscientific study of a subjective experience. It required animal brain research that correlated with the internal experiences of humans. In this study robust relationships emanating out of affective processes and subcortical brain, systems have been discussed. The paper moves around a working hypothesis that justifies why rat vocalizations project a positive effect on evolutionary relations to the joyfulness of human childhood laughter that commonly accompanied social play. The study also discusses the neurobiological nature of human laughter. The importance of such lucid processes for understanding various clinical disorders has also been discussed. Some of these disorders include Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, addictive urges and mood imbalances. The research concluded that fundamental neural homologies between the laughing response of rodents and the playful laughter of children remain to be assessed. They cannot be evaluated accurately right now but may eventually be evaluated if one analyzes cross-species contrasting pharmacological manipulation. At present only limited data is available on the issue and there is little information to substantiate it. (Burgdorf)
Rao Martin’s article:
Martin’s article sums up the fact that humor is a universal human activity. It is experienced by many people during a typical and can be exercised in different contexts. The article presents evidence suggesting that humor and laughter are both evolutionary as far as their origin is concerned and offer their own kind of benefits. However, culture has an important role to play in the use and manipulation of humor in various circumstances. The context in which humor may be considered appropriate for laughter may vary in different situations. In the psychological context, humor is correlated with a positive emotion called mirth. Mirth is often spoken about in a social context and is known to conceptualize vocal and emotional expressions of laughter.
Humor takes various forms in different situations. In social interactions, it is named as canned jokes, spontaneous victim and unintentional funny utterances and actions.  The article also explains the psychological aspect of humor. It defines how psychological functions of humor comprise the cognitive and social benefits of the positive emotion of mirth. It is a means of social communication and influence and is known to bring down tension and help one in coping up with stress. Over the last couple of decades, the widespread perception of laughter and humor has evolved tremendously. Initially, it was considered as something as aggressive and off the hook but now it is being widely accepted as something with a positive impact on one’s life emotionally, physically and psychologically. The article also emphasizes the importance of more mainstream research in this branch of psychology.  (Martin)
Berger’s article: An anatomy of a Joke
Berger’s article begins with an analysis of jokes.  He points out that jokes may not be the best way to be funny but are an important form of humor. Because of their co-relation with humor, they deserve some attention and research.  Jokes are told to people to amuse them to the point of making them laugh. Laughter is the obvious reaction that is intended for a joke.  It is a reaction that is evoked when information is processed. It is a special kind of reaction comprising of incongruities, masked aggression, and a feeling of superiority. Incongruity is associated with inconsistency. It means there is a lack of harmony and they are inconsistent and improper.
Berger also throws insight into the structure of jokes in his article.  These include Jokes, relationships, laughter.  Jokes evoke minimal response while relationships are established via the joke.