What Makes People Laugh? | Jacob Hurlock | TEDxKingAlfredSchool?

People laugh when they feel surprised or happy, often because something unexpected happens just right.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy, maybe a ball that bounces really high. You throw it, and it goes whoosh into the air. But then, instead of coming back to you like usual, it splat! lands on the floor right in front of your pet dog. Your dog starts chasing it, and you laugh because it was funny, not because it was magic, but because everything happened at the perfect time.

Why We Laugh

Sometimes, we laugh when someone says or does something that's a little silly or surprising. Like if your brother tries to sing a song but messes up the words in a funny way. It’s like when you're trying to tie your shoelaces and they come undone, it's not magic, but it makes you giggle because it's unexpected and funny.

Other times, we laugh together because something is really happy-making, like when you and your friends play tag and you all run around laughing while trying to catch each other. It feels good, and that’s why we keep doing it, it makes us feel joyful and connected.

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Examples

  1. A child laughs at a funny face because it surprises them.
  2. Someone tells a joke, and you laugh because it’s unexpected.
  3. You see someone fall down, and that makes you laugh.

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