Laughlab: The Scientific Quest for the World's Funniest Joke - Softcover

The British Association For The Advancement Of Science

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099446871 ISBN 13: 9780099446873

Publisher: Arrow, 2002

Synopsis

In September 2001 the British Association for the Advancement of Science (the BA) embarked on the world's largest, and most unusual, scientific experiment. The aim of the project was to find the world's funniest joke, and answer important questions about the psychology of humour. For example, Do men and women find the same jokes funny? Does our sense of humour change as we get older? What is the best time of day to tell a joke? Do different nations laugh at the same jokes? The experiment was called LaughLab and was carried out as part of Science Year in the UK. An Internet site was established containing two sections: in the first, people submitted their favourite jokes; in the second they answered a few simple questions about themselves - male or female, age, nationality, etc - and then rated how funny they found a random selection of jokes. The experiment captured the imagination of individuals throughout the world. 40,000 jokes were received and evaluated by 350,000 people. At the end of the project the information was carefully examined and discoveries made about the jokes that made men giggle and women groan, those that tickled kids but not adults, and the jokes that were the most popular in different countries. Along the way the 'winning' jokes in different categories were uncovered, including the best 'doctor' jokes

About this title

Book Description

The fascinating and entertaining search to find the world's funniest joke and answer important questions about the psychology of humour.

Synopsis

Laughter is good for us. It makes us less stressed, decreases our blood pressure and lowers anxiety levels. For hundreds of years, scientists and philosophers have investigated what jokes make us laugh, and why certain people find certain jokes funny. Over a twelve-month period starting last year, a huge on-line experiment was undertaken by LaughLab to find the world's funniest joke. Created by Dr Richard Wiseman in collaboration with the British Association for the Advancement of Science, LaughLab was the largest-ever scientific study into humour. 350,000 people took part in the study, and in the first week the LaughLab website made the World Top Ten with around 3 million attempted hits a day. LaughLab, the book, is the conclusion of this fascinating and fun experiment, packed full with the endlessly entertaining results of the research that will appeal to all ages. At last we know the answers to such enduring mysteries as: - How do the differences between the sexes lead to man and women finding different jokes funny? - Why do some jokes make lots of people laugh whilst others only appeal to certain types of people?

- What sort of jokes make children laugh and what does that tell us about the way in which they see the world? - What do the jokes that we find funny reveal about the way in which our brains work? and the ultimate question...- What is the world's funniest joke and why? Will you agree with the outcome? Will you laugh, grin or groan? And just why did the chicken cross the road...?

Edition details

• Publisher: Arrow
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0099446871
• ISBN 13: 9780099446873
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 192