Laughter evolved as a social bonding mechanism among primates
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 88/100
Current evolutionary and comparative primatological research supports the claim that laughter evolved as a social bonding mechanism, serving to maintain group cohesion as ancestral primate and hominin social groups expanded beyond the limits of physical grooming.
Evidence for · 4
Bridging the bonding gap: the transition from primates to humans.
2012 · cited by 121
Argues that laughter evolved as an early evolutionary innovation to bridge the social bonding gap in hominins.
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More for · 3
Laughter, play faces and mimicry in animals: evolution and social functions
2022 · cited by 49
Examines homologous playful expressions and laughter in primates to demonstrate shared ancestry and social bonding functions.
Laughter and its role in the evolution of human social bonding
2022 · cited by 46
Suggests hominins co-opted laughter as a form of chorusing to replace social grooming as group sizes increased.
The origins and function of musical performance.
2023 · cited by 2
Classifies laughter alongside music and storytelling as an adjunct of the primate social bonding mechanism.