Why we laugh | Sophie Scott

Did you know that you're 30 times more likely to laugh if you're with somebody else than if you're alone? Cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott shares this and other surprising facts about laughter in this fast-paced, action-packed and, yes, hilarious dash through the science of the topic.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[firstnamelastname]

Her intellectual confidence is really attractive. What a brilliant human.

[cchiri]

She's hilarious! An intelligent and very funny woman. I would love to hear more of her and her investigation  in the future.

[minervac.]

when your friend's laugh is funnier than the joke

[TheSiddhiDesai]

Didn't expect to laugh so much during a Ted talk! She's so witty =D

[Cpitalise]

Why so many awful comments about her weight? I thought she was really interesting and a good speaker, since when do people on TED talks comment like this?

[OrganicGreens]

Ive always found laughter incredibly interusting. But i never released how important it was

[VimboVivien]

This is definitely one of the most upbeat, lighthearted TedTalks I've ever seen :) Definitely made me laugh out loud. Definitely brought a smile to my face!

[RachelledelaRosa]

I absolutely love that she is a neuroscience and can credibly speak on this topic. *sigh* goals :')

[bana]

she seems so full of life and excitement!

[backyardsounds]

I'm just a minor in anthropology but I've studied it for years. It's my opinion laughter developed as a way to demonstrate there is no danger. For example someone falls out of a tree, which could have been a fatal fall. They stand up and his or her friends all laugh as if to say, "it's okay". So of tickling? Same thing. You see two roughing it up, . Now if one is screaming, well then you know something's wrong. But laughter that's a signal, "oh, they're just playing around." I think it developed as a way to help early hominoids the ability to continue on doing what they're doing and by a simple sound they don't have to run and protect others.

[kyobnj]

Immensely sophisticated sense of humour... this one phrase is just for you Mrs. Sophie Scott... I actually have learned English just through watching your speeches up online and reading what you've written.. Love this ted talk. This is the best of all the ted talks ever!

[deathlessmile]

I loved the idea that laughter helps us get through hard situations together :)

[ProblematicBitch]

this is one of the best ted talks in have seen, she seems to be such a lovely person and is so right, laughter is the key to happy relationships

[VeronaRoma]

That French girl’s laugh is my new ringtone

[marytravis]

One of the funniest days I've had was in the office when we got a new phone system. Everyone had to record a new 'leave a message' greeting. We worked in closely spaced cubicals so everyone could hear everyone else trying to record a greeting without tripping over our tongues. The entire office was laughing. Then, the next day, we couldn't wait for coworkers who hadn't been present the day before to come in and record their greetings.

[kimvanwingene]

I think she explains it so well. I never would have thought that there is so much more to laughter than just laughing but now I know there is.

[constantin_oprea]

Just brilliant. I love the way she explains laughter. Is so much behind it. We all need a good laugh and I think is just impossible to not laugh every single day. When LAUGH stops I am pretty sure human kind will be all gone. SO LET´S HAVE A GOOD LAUGH.

[sandrablow]

I hope she laughs at all the ignorant, inconsiderate, self absorbed and immature people out there who thought it would make them look….WHAT….cool, juvenile, uncaring…….IF SO THEY’VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT!!! Sophie has shown she a beautiful person, who is willing to share the education of laughter with us. Thank you Sophie, allow no place in your heart, your life for ignorance!! God Bless!, ,

[Sophia-lkmr]

What a great speaker! And intelligent and humorous as well

[TheEpitome]

Interesting talk! I hadn't thought about laughter like that before.