primatology

Humans and great apes utilize the same underlying rhythmic structure when laughing, suggesting a shared evolutionary root. Human laughter has since developed greater flexibility and social complexity.

A University of Warwick study reveals that the rhythmic structure of laughter is conserved across primate species, challenging theories on how human speech evolved.

A new study reveals that the rhythmic structure of laughter has remained unchanged across great ape species for millions of years, though humans evolved unique social control over it.