Study: You laugh differently with your friends than you do with your loved one

Is it possible to understand by laughter in the presence of whom a person is laughing - friends or a loved one? New

the study suggests it can, since friendly laughter is perceived as more natural and less vulnerable. Discuss

Scientists have collected recordings of laughter from different people in differentsituations and gave them to listen to 50 students. They listened to the laughter and tried to determine whether the person was laughing in the presence of a friend or a romantic partner.

Participants showed good accuracy in thistask. They thought that laughter with a romantic partner sounded less pleasant. Volunteers also gave a 9-point rating on various dimensions of laughter, from relaxed to vulnerable.

Laughter directed at friends was rated as louder, more dominant, and more natural.