On Humor

Humor is a complex cognitive function which often elicits and  leads to laughter.  Laughter is a ‘seizure-like’ activity that can be elicited by experiencing a humorous cognitive stimulus but also other stimuli, i.e., tickling. While humor and laughter are closely related, they are not synonymous.  Humor is the underlying cognitive process that frequently, but not necessarily, leads to laughter. Thus, one can laugh without a humorous stimulus and similarly one can experience humor without laughter. The basic ability to perceive humor seems “instinctive” and, thus, likely reliant on genetic machinations. Hence, whether something is funny or not, setting aside verbal phrasing, is somehow dependent on the person who is a recipient of such a stimulus.  

Humor is ubiquitous and universal, and its conspicuous presence in the behavioral repertoire of humankind invites adaptive explanations.  To our knowledge, no culture exists that is unfamiliar with humor. It appears  that all healthy individuals reliably comprehend obvious attempts at humor.

From a psychological standpoint, humor is a tool to adapt to a situation. It is a defense mechanism in itself. In a psychoanalytic sense, jokes are ‘half-meant truth’. In the same sense, we resort to humor or joke if we feel uncomfortable, incapable,  or inadequate to fully stand by what we say and do in regard to a situation or another person. But whether it is used as a healthy tool or not, that is another story.

Of the many sane and judicious things that can be uttered about humor and subsequently laughter, I would like to zero in on what to me is the healthful benefit of the latter.

Laughter lightens the soul. Laughter helps break down barriers between people. Laughter releases an endorphin that helps dull physical pain in the body. Laughter reduces feelings of stress. That is why they say that “Laughter is the best medicine."

The Human Brain

Can you  clasp your two hands?  Which thumb is on top of the other?

What is between your two ears? What organ is inside your head?

The human brain has two sides or hemispheres:  the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere, connected by the ‘corpus callosum’. Each hemisphere’s structure is generally mirrored by the other side, but despite the strong similarities, the functions of each cortical hemisphere are different.

The concept of right brain and left brain thinking was developed from the research in the late 1960s of an American psycho-biologist Roger W Sperry. He discovered that the human brain has two very different ways of thinking. He posited that one is predisposed to be either left-brained  or right-brained congenitally.  Sperry was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1981, although subsequent research has shown the hemispheres aren't quite as polarized as once thought (nor as simple). 

Nowadays, the more acceptable theory is that one’s brain orientation does not preclude the use of the other side although not necessarily in a balance way, and that brain dominance does not mean exclusivity.

Now  raise your hands to determine ‘handedness’. Which hand did you raise?

Researchers found out and I presume it is common knowledge to us,   that each side of the brain  controls  the movements of the opposite side of the body. As they say, ‘the left brain knows what the right hand is doing’.  There is a moderate to high moderate correlation between handedness and brain dominance, but  take note, it is only to a high moderate extent.

Researchers, including Sperry, agree that there are functions and tasks specific to a hemisphere. Nonetheless, current researchers (excluding Sperry)  insist that there are also tasks,  esp. complicated ones requiring hand motor coordination, that mandate  both hemispheres to function simultaneously or alternatively,  i.e., typing,  tapping the drums while marching, etc.  

The following are the supposedly default cognitive functions of the two sides of the brain:

Left Hemisphere Functions (Thinking):  numerical computation (exact calculation); language- grammar, vocabulary, literal; linear, logical reasoning; routine or well-rehearsed processing; sequential, analytical, objective; looks at parts

Right Hemisphere Functions (Thinking):  numerical computation (approximate calculation);  language-  intonation, accentuation, prosody, contextual;  processing novel situations;  random; intuitive, holistic, subjective;  looks at whole

Can you cross your arms?  Which side is on top of the other?

While there are people with highly lateralized brain functions, there are also individuals who have mixed laterality or balanced brain orientation/functions. As one of the advocates of lateral thinking, my bias is toward the gains of a symmetrical brain function, as in today’s world, balance in brain functioning is key. The important question is, “Can we alter our brain functional laterality?” Yes.  To support my argument,   let us take a case in point:

If  a specific region of the brain or even an entire hemisphere is either injured or destroyed, its functions can sometimes be assumed by a neighboring region, even in the opposite hemisphere, depending upon the area damaged and the patient's age. It may not be as efficient as the original pathway but at least it makes the person adequately functional.  Hence,  following that line of argument, if we are born left-brained, then we can shift to right-brain orientation and vice-versa when needed.

The quick tasks I asked you  to do a while ago would give you a high moderate degree of valid basis to conclude,  whether you are at the moment, left or right brained or a mixture of both.

Exercises:

1.  Exercises that can strengthen neural connection and even create new ones. They  develop mental agility and strengthen hand-brain connection.

 a.  Write your name using the hand you do NOT normally use. What do you notice? Is   it harder to be precise and accurate with your motions?  Do you feel like you did when you were first learning to tie your shoelace? If you are feeling uncomfortable and awkward, don’t worry, your brain is learning a new skill.      

b.      Neurobics

 It is a unique system of brain exercises to shake up your everyday routines. They  are designed to help your brain manufacture its own nutrients that strengthen,  preserve, and grow brain cells. Created by Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D., a professor of neurobiology at Duke University Medical Center, neurobics can be done anywhere, anytime, in offbeat, fun and easy ways.

·         Try to include one or more your senses in an everyday task:

o   Get dressed with your eyes closed

o   Wash your hair with your eyes closed

o   Share a meal and use only visual cues to communicate. No talking

·         Combine two senses

o   Listen to music and smell flowers

o   Listen to the rain and tap your fingers

o   Watch cloud and play with modeling clay at the same time

·         Break routines

o   Go to work on a new route

o   Use your opposite hand to control the mouse of the computer, eat, brush your teeth, dial the phone, or operate the TV remote.

o   Shop at a new grocery store

These exercises can activate underused nerve pathways and connections, helping you achieve a fit and flexible mind.

Now, can you cross your legs?   Which side is on top of the other?

Nowadays, the creative thinkers are the highest paid in business organizations, while the logical and analytical thinkers are hired to assist them and are paid less. Which predicament would we want to be in?