<body><div>Key points<ul><li>We can inspire laughter not only because our own shortcomings, but those of close associates as well. </li><li>Our chances of success, and thus our status, is closely linked to that of family, friends, and colleagues. </li><li>The humor in television sitcoms and movies often exploits this fact to bolster audience sympathy and laughter.</li></ul>We have all been the focus of others’ laughter, whether inspired by something we said or something we did. There are occasions, however, when others’ laughter is expressed not in response to what we’ve done, but rather what someone close to us has done. For instance, if my brother fails his history test, and word gets out, my friends might giggle at me when I walk into class. Your daughter might spill her drink in the restaurant, but your companions—and even strangers dining two tables away—have a good laugh your expense. Or when my friend's parents drive up in a 30-year-old wreck of a car, I might chuckle some as I give him a hard time about it. The targets of this laughter didn’t do anything, let alone anything amusing, so what’s going on?<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0tb5NW_0vlBbekd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0tb5NW_0vlBbekd00" width="320" height="326" ></figure>The Mutual Vulnerability Theory of Laughter (Simon 2020) suggests this ubiquitous vocalization expresses a sense of mutual, or shared, vulnerability. Whenever someone’s status (what we use to measure vulnerability) shifts either up or down, a reminder that we all have inherent shortcomings can, in effect, help reestablish the prior, preferred status relationship. If, as my friend, you were to exhibit some imperfection, my sympathetic “lifting” laughter says, “Hey, I do that too sometimes” and signals my desire to raise your status back up. Similarly, if I did something a little stupid, your laughter would imply that you can identify with my loss of dignity in a way that makes me feel better.<h2>Amusing by Association</h2>The thing is, one’s status as an individual is in reality an amalgamation. It’s not based solely on our own personal physical traits and behavioral tendencies. We derive a significant portion of our standing from those with whom we associate. We’ll walk a little taller and behave more confidently if we are a member of a wealthy family, a winning sports team, a famous movie cast, a well-respected university faculty, and so on. Conversely, we are somewhat disadvantaged when our friends and partners are poor and struggling. Who we tend to keep company with says something about us. They are the people we can call on for help when needed, and it is assumed that we are willing and able do provide comparable assistance in return. This sort of implicit agreement is what makes relationships mutually beneficial and long-lasting.This all sits in the background of our consciousness so long as the status of family, friends, and neighbors remains relatively stable. However, because their fates and ours are linked, any inadequacies that do get revealed on their part invariably make us more vulnerable. And so the failings they exhibit can inspire laughter directed in our direction. Thus, a child’s poor eyesight might invite jokes at their parent’s expense since they will be shelling out money for exams and eyeglasses. Or, when someone’s governor becomes infamously corrupt, they might be teased by a former colleague now residing in a neighboring state.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4OwKz0_0vlBbekd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4OwKz0_0vlBbekd00" width="320" height="251" ></figure>Such shifts can occur in the opposite manner as well, with our status rising along with that our associates. When your favorite sports team wins the championship, we might offer good-natured humor to those whose status has not benefited, if only to lift them up again with a chuckle. Or we might employ some self-deprecating humor to return our own standing back to the level with which everyone had been previously comfortable.Whatever the laugh response—be it sympathetic or critical—it is important to remember our status is tied to those around us. Properly so when all are willing participants in the relationship, but sometimes unfairly when that is not the case. (Forced associations often factor into bullying behavior, but that is a topic for another post.)<h2>Formal Humor Contexts</h2>The “funny by association” dynamic is one that is often exploited by the creators of formal humor. In countless movies and television sitcoms, when one member of family, group of friends, or business consortium has his or her shortcomings highlighted in some way, the audience’s sympathies typically extend to others in the group as well. The status changes of each necessarily alters that of others, thus expanding the circle of supportive laughter to characters we might identify with to a greater degree.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=40zZqi_0vlBbekd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40zZqi_0vlBbekd00" width="320" height="260" ></figure>Here are a few YouTube shorts with a common theme—a category of humor often referred to as “couples comedy.” One from Dennis Gaxiola goes over quite well. Leanne Morgan also knows that when one’s spouse does something silly, it reflects on the other. And Tim Hawkins cranks up the sarcasm to 11 when he tells us about his helper in the car. Right-click on each link in turn and select “Open in new window.” Enjoy.© John Charles Simon.</div></body>

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What Are You Laughing At Me For?

We can inspire laughter not only because our own shortcomings, but those of close associates as well. Our chances of success, and thus our status, is closely linked to that of family, friends, and colleagues. The humor in television sitcoms and movies often exploits this fact to bolster audience sympathy...

What Are You Laughing At Me For?

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