What good is a sense of humor?

A sense of humor is learned very early. From the age of 4 months, children have fun making imitations to make people laugh. In adulthood, the sense of humor evolves and becomes much more complex.

Are there several humours?

Gradually, with the learning of social relations and emotions, the child, then the teenager and the adult, is able to develop different styles of useful humor depending on the situation.

First of all, psychologists distinguish between adaptive humor, which makes it possible to adapt to others, and above all to show self-mockery. It strengthens social ties and helps to integrate into the group.

Non-adaptive humor, on the contrary, makes it possible to laugh at the expense of others through stereotypical or stigmatizing jokes. It manifests itself in a defensive situation and makes it possible to distance others who are found to be dangerous or threatening.

Does humor help us something other than laughing?

Humor not only helps to have a good time, it also helps to overcome anxieties and improve morale. Refusing to take yourself seriously allows you to endure the difficulties of everyday life by taking care of others.

Knowing how to use humor from an early age helps to de-dramatize certain situations without getting caught in the vicious circle of negative thoughts. The mental operation necessary for the formulation and understanding of a joke requires taking enough distance from oneself or from the situation to perceive its funny character.

Humor is therefore a mark of joie de vivre and good management of emotions and cognitive abilities. Let’s not forget its therapeutic virtues that can help you get better.

Find out more: “Laughter is a great therapy!” by Christian Tal Schaller and Corinne Cosseron, Lanore editions.