# Laughter increases altruism, says psychologists' study

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/03/14/laughter-increases-altruism-says-psychologists039-study/
- Published: 2007-03-14T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

A new study from psychologists at the universities of Kent and Liverpool has revealed
that laughter increases altruism towards strangers. The findings, released ahead
of Friday’s comedy fundraising telethon for Comic Relief, “may have important implications
for charities and other fundraising bodies”.
For the study, participants watched
a funny or serious video clip before playing an altruistic game with strangers. 
The study revealed that after watching the funny clip subjects who laughed a lot
were more likely to give their money to strangers. Further research suggests that
this may be due to the effects of laughter on endorphins, naturally produced neurotransmitters
that improve people’s mood.

The study, conducted by Professor Mark van Vugt, Charlie Hardy, Julie Stow and Professor
Robin Dunbar (University of Liverpool), was designed to examine if laughter acts
as a social lubricant by enhancing a sense of group identity among strangers.

Professor van Vugt, a member of Kent’s Centre for the Study of Group Processes and
an expert on human altruism and co-operation said: “This study may have important
implications for the way charities or organisations could increase the level of 
received donations.

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“From the perspective of increasing altruism in society, it is obvious that laughter
deserves serious attention from both scientists and policy makers.”

You can read the full results of the study – ‘Laughter as Social Lubricant: A Biosocial
Hypothesis about the Pro-social Functions of Laughter and Humour’.

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