Our ultra-social brains mean that human emotional expressions are a lot more communicable than most of us realise.
Indeed, we can often find ourselves sharing the emotional state of the people around us without even realising.
It’s a process known as emotional contagion. But few emotions are as communicable as laughter.
The very clear and overt nature of the laughter response, as well as its suspected role in interpersonal bonding and stress release, are presumably why studies show you’re 30 times as likely to laugh when with others who are laughing, than when by yourself.
This would explain why watching comedy is always much more enjoyable with friends.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Annemarie McGee, London) 'How contagious is laughter?'
To submit your questions, email us at questions@sciencefocus.com, or message our Facebook, X, or Instagram pages (don't forget to include your name and location).
Check out our ultimate fun facts page for more mind-blowing science
Read more:
