This book puts forward a revolutionary and comprehensive theoretical approach to understanding laughter and the humor we use to inspire it. This new perspective applies an evolutionary and biological lens through which we can fully appreciated these complex, universal human behaviors. It distinguishes itself from all classical and contemporary theories by revealing laughter’s singular message, rather than simply its causes and effects, and makes clear why perceptions of vulnerability and status are ever-present in our conscious and subconscious thoughts. The theory underscores our innate desire to cooperate, our respect for those who compete fairly, and our disdain for those who do not. And it sheds light on the social dynamics governing human interactions, both positive and negative, by recognizing laughter not simply as a reflexive reaction to a certain class of stimuli, but as a vital form of nonverbal communication—not only for us, but for our great ape cousins as well.
Chapter
1. Introduction.
Chapter
2. Ancient Wisdom and Modern
Insights.
Chapter
3. Communication at Its Core.
Chapter
4. The Heart of the
Mutual Vulnerability Theory.
Chapter
5. Humor and its Relationship to
Laughter.
Chapter
6. Detecting Vulnerability.
Chapter 7: Group Dynamics and
Their Influence.
Chapter
8. The Search for Laughters Origins.
Chapter
9.
The Evolution of Laughter and Humor.
Chapter
10. Some Implications of the
MVT.
Chapter
11. The MVT as Guide.
Chapter
12. Going Forward.
John Charles Simon, a retired wildlife biologist, is now an independent scholar, writer, and consultant. He authors the PsychologyToday.com blog Laughter and Humor 101.
Dr Jennalee Donian is a postdoctoral fellow in humor studies at Nelson Mandela University, and recognized as one of South Africas foremost humor researchers.
