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