The Conversation

Lessons in laughter


Listen Later

Laughter isn't just for fun - it's a powerful tool that strengthens social bonds, enhances group dynamics and fosters emotional connection. It’s also great for our health. Datshiane Navanayagam speaks to two specialists about why having a laugh works.

Professor Sophie Scott is a British cognitive neuroscientist whose research has helped millions of people better understand and appreciate the use of laughter in social interactions. She is the director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience where she also runs a lab.

Dr Disa Sauter is a social psychologist at the University of Amsterdam who leads the Positive Emotions Project (PEP). This initiative seeks to explore the unique benefits of various positive emotions. A key focus of her work is investigating how laughing can strengthen social bonds and enhance overall well-being.

Produced by Emily Naylor

(Image: (L) Disa Sauter courtesy of Disa Sauter. (R) Sophie Scott, credit Small Wardour Studios.)

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The ConversationBy BBC World Service

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

69 ratings


More shows like The Conversation

View all
In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,456 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,801 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,647 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

527 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,755 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,090 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,082 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,046 Listeners

Learning English Stories by BBC Radio

Learning English Stories

380 Listeners

Learning English Vocabulary by BBC Radio

Learning English Vocabulary

513 Listeners

Learning English Grammar by BBC Radio

Learning English Grammar

304 Listeners

Learning English from the News by BBC Radio

Learning English from the News

249 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

716 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,007 Listeners

Simple English News Daily by SEND7

Simple English News Daily

28 Listeners

The British English Podcast by Charlie Baxter

The British English Podcast

60 Listeners

Thinking in English by Thomas Wilkinson

Thinking in English

97 Listeners

Limelight by BBC Radio 4

Limelight

266 Listeners

British English Listening Practice - English Go! Podcast by Chris

British English Listening Practice - English Go! Podcast

20 Listeners

English in a Minute by BBC Radio

English in a Minute

13 Listeners

What in the World by BBC World Service

What in the World

17 Listeners

Learning English For Work by BBC News

Learning English For Work

45 Listeners

Learning Easy English by BBC

Learning Easy English

110 Listeners