In situations where laughter is socially inappropriate, failure to manage it can lead to serious consequences in interpersonal relationships or reputation. Laughter at solemn events, serious conversations, or in disciplinary settings can violate social norms, weaken the message, and appear disrespectful or immature. Nevertheless, it happens to us sometimes. In the most inappropriate situation, we start laughing.
Scientists from Göttingen explained why suppressing laughter is so difficult and what strategies really work. They dealt with the phenomenon in three experiments involving a total of 121 participants. Using facial electromyography, they monitored the tiny muscle responses associated with smiling and laughing while the participants listened to short jokes. The authors of the study published in the professional journal Communications Psychology point out that suppression and distraction do not always help to suppress laughter.
“Suppressing visible emotional reactions can increase internal stress or discomfort. The most effective strategy turned out to be reevaluation of the situation, which reduces the very feeling of amusement. For example, thinking analytically about why something is funny can turn a joke into a problem-solving task.” summarized Professor Anna Schacht.
