Definition Essay: Why Do People Laughter?

Why do people laugh? Someone makes a strange sound or behaves in a peculiar manner so everyone around expels air out of their lungs at a rapid rate. Why? In an article for NBC News, Robert Provine, professor of neurobiology & psychology at the University of Maryland, states from an evolutionary perspective, “We believe laughter evolved from the panting behavior of our ancient primate ancestors (1999).” He further explains that people and apes laugh under the same circumstances, such as while playing games or being tickled (Provine, 1999). This “accelerated expulsion of air” is an innate reaction to an individual’s surroundings.
As young children, people learn to laugh, and they continue to develop their sense of humor as they grow older. When