Long before modern brain imaging technologies illuminated the neurophysiological mechanisms that make laughter contagious, William James (1842-1910) observed, "We don't laugh because we're happy, ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. David DiSalvo writes about science, tech and culture. Intuitively we know that laughter is one of the best tools we have for ...

If you see two people laughing at a joke you didn't hear, chances are you will smile anyway--even if you don't realize it. According to a new study, laughter truly is contagious: the brain responds to ...

There are some sounds that stay with you, rattling around in your brain until they become part of your sonic memory. See enough movies, and certain sound effects will hold this honor—like the Wilhelm ...