This chapter includes a discussion of classical theories of laughter in philosophy and science, as well as a reconstruction of the main stages of its evolutionary development, corresponding to the stages of anthropogenesis. The author outlines classical theories of false alarm, tension release, superiority, and their modern modifications. Laughter is a complex social phenomenon that fulfills significant and diverse functions in group dynamics. Laughter isn’t solely a reaction to humor; In distinguishing between Duchenne (involuntary) and non-Duchenne (manufactured) laughter, the chapter focuses on the former as being more ancient and associated with positive emotions. Laughter is a culturally transmitted social practice with the possible contribution of genetic variation. Laughter, like crying, has a “breakthrough” character, is hard to suppress completely, and is more likely to occur in groups, strengthening solidarity and mitigating conflict. The author proposes the concept of “reactive-dispositional” laughter as an involuntary response of participants in a situation to a stimulus that corresponds to their particular attitudes. “Dominant laughter” (laughter of superiority) serves not only to affirm social status, but also to maintain group cohesion by confirming the “correctness” of the norms adopted by the laughing group. Laughing at the rule breaker strengthens solidarity among “one’s own” and serves as a kind of ritual aimed at reproducing the social order. The false alarm theory explains the emergence of “laughter liberation”. Collective laughter releases the accumulated tension when the expected threat fails to materialize, relieving stress and strengthening group cohesion. “Contagious” laughter is an effect of mirror neurons, when the participants in the situation involuntarily compare their emotional mood and reactions to the one who laughs and is in the center of attention. The author analyzes the connection between the development of laughter and the formation of shared intentionality and normativity in hominin evolution. Self-domestication, which led to pedomorphism (preservation of childlike features in adults), made hominins more inclined to play and laugh together. The development of speech and language led to the emergence of verbal humor and new types of laughter associated with more complex cognitive processes and cultural traits. Laughter is not a single phenomenon. Depending on the cultural context and social norms, laughter can be good-natured or gloating, aggressive or even cruel. The evolution of laughter continues today.

Why We Laugh

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发表日期：

2026年

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Nikolai S. Rozov

摘要

This chapter includes a discussion of classical theories of laughter in philosophy and science, as well as a reconstruction of the main stages of its evolutionary development, corresponding to the stages of anthropogenesis. The author outlines classical theories of false alarm, tension release, superiority, and their modern modifications. Laughter is a complex social phenomenon that fulfills significant and diverse functions in group dynamics. Laughter isn’t solely a reaction to humor; In distinguishing between Duchenne (involuntary) and non-Duchenne (manufactured) laughter, the chapter focuses on the former as being more ancient and associated with positive emotions. Laughter is a culturally transmitted social practice with the possible contribution of genetic variation. Laughter, like crying, has a “breakthrough” character, is hard to suppress completely, and is more likely to occur in groups, strengthening solidarity and mitigating conflict. The author proposes the concept of “reactive-dispositional” laughter as an involuntary response of participants in a situation to a stimulus that corresponds to their particular attitudes. “Dominant laughter” (laughter of superiority) serves not only to affirm social status, but also to maintain group cohesion by confirming the “correctness” of the norms adopted by the laughing group. Laughing at the rule breaker strengthens solidarity among “one’s own” and serves as a kind of ritual aimed at reproducing the social order. The false alarm theory explains the emergence of “laughter liberation”. Collective laughter releases the accumulated tension when the expected threat fails to materialize, relieving stress and strengthening group cohesion. “Contagious” laughter is an effect of mirror neurons, when the participants in the situation involuntarily compare their emotional mood and reactions to the one who laughs and is in the center of attention. The author analyzes the connection between the development of laughter and the formation of shared intentionality and normativity in hominin evolution. Self-domestication, which led to pedomorphism (preservation of childlike features in adults), made hominins more inclined to play and laugh together. The development of speech and language led to the emergence of verbal humor and new types of laughter associated with more complex cognitive processes and cultural traits. Laughter is not a single phenomenon. Depending on the cultural context and social norms, laughter can be good-natured or gloating, aggressive or even cruel. The evolution of laughter continues today.