Why We Laugh, Essay Example

Laughing is a common practice in both public and private sphere, and the majority of people usually mention comedy, humor, and jokes as some of the major factors that make them laugh. Some people also laugh to show their interests or happiness in something or someone. Psychologists and neuroscientists have tried to investigate and explain factors that motivate or influence people to laugh. This essay provides a critique of a talk presented by a neuroscientist concerning “Why people laugh”.

Sophie Scott gives a talk on “Why we laugh”, using her rich knowledge and experience in the field to deliver the content. Scott is a neuroscientist who understands the development of the nervous system, its structure, and function. A neuroscientist understands the brain and how it affects cognitive functions and behaviors, thus showing that Scott understands the topic.

The main point expressed in the talk concerns the reasons, which influence people to laugh when they are in different situations (Scott, 2015). Scott argues that many people are likely to laugh when they are in a company, implying that several factors can trigger a person to laugh. According to Scott, people laugh to turn a terrible situation into a funny one, enabling them to be happy. A person experiencing a difficult circumstance such as the death of a close relative or friend can laugh, enabling him to overcome the stress. This concept shows that people often laugh to make themselves feel better. A person who has lost his relative can feel better by affording to laugh. Some people also laugh to share a meaning and understanding when they are in a company (Scott, 2015). This suggests why it is difficult for one to laugh when he or she is alone.

Scott supports her point by using her vast knowledge and experience in the field. She uses the case of her father’s death to show that people laugh to turn stressful situations into funny ones. She explains how she reacted during that difficult time by making a funny point that influenced her mother and other relatives who were mourning to laugh (Scott, 2015). In the process, they were able to feel better despite the horrible situation.

I liked several aspects of the talk, enabling me to gain interests and passion to view it frequently. Firstly, I loved how Scott delivered the speech by creating fun, making the audience laugh in the process (Scott, 2015). The session was interesting because the speaker was lively, thus enhancing the audience’s understanding concerning the point. Secondly, the use of supporting materials in the talk improved my understanding significantly about the talk. Lastly, I also liked how Scott used supporting points in the talk, which enabled me to connect her topic to the supporting evidence.

One aspect of the talk that I did not like is the choice of the pictures, which the speaker used to support her topic. Some pictures were scaring, and I hardly looked at them, which made me lose some important points.

Scott presented the talk in a good manner, focusing on the audience to enable them understand the topic clearly. Her language is good, and she is also audible, making it possible for the audience to listen properly without straining (Scott, 2015). Indeed, people laugh to feel better as explained by Scott. I once experienced a difficult situation, and through the fun that my friend created, I was able to get relief.

In conclusion, people often laugh even though many are not aware of the factors that influence their behaviors. People laugh to regulate emotions and feel better as supported by Scott in the talk. Laughing is also informed by the need to share meaning and understanding.

Reference

Scott, S. (Director). (2015). Why we Laugh [Motion Picture].