Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Tickling, a Technique for Inducing Positive Affect When Handling Rats
Published on: May 8, 2018
[Development of laughter and humour throughout the lifespan]
1Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Philipps-Universität, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Deutschland. falkenbe@med.uni-marburg.de
Abstract:
Humor and laughter are fundamental elements of human communication throughout the lifespan. The understanding of humor, humor production (e. g. joking) and functionality of humor (e. g. as a coping strategy) evolve in the course of a lifetime and are essentially determined by cognitive, verbal and social abilities. This review outlines the landmarks in the development of humor and laughter from early childhood to older age. In all stages of life, humor fulfils important functions; in the elderly, however, the function of humor as a coping mechanism gains in importance. Yet, humor processing, such as understanding of humor, humor production and emotional reactions to humor in the elderly, is an underresearched area.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Three Developmental Domains
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...

