The Inner Eye Theory of Laughter: Mindreader Signals Cooperator Value

Abstract

In this hypothesis paper, I propose a three-component set of jointly necessary and sufficient trigger criteria for all cases of involuntary laughter. The theory incorporates concepts from the theory of mind in cognitive science. I then examine the information content of the laughter signal from a game theoretic perspective. I conclude that laughter is a signal of cooperator value as it provides information on the laugher's empathy with the attributed mental states and her sympathy levels for all affected by the laugh-inducing situation. Laughter also indicates what types of mental representations children, autistic people, nonhuman primates and adults possess and can falsify.

Cognitive humor processing: Different logical mechanisms in nonverbal cartoons—an fMRI study

“…As they are not present in the PUN condition, we claim that mentalizing is not always necessary to process humor. This contradicts two humor models that postulated the requirement of mind reading in all humor processing (Howe, 2002;Jung, 2003). We argue against these assumptions, otherwise we should also have found typical mind-reading areas such as the TPJ, precuneus or amPFC in the PUN condition activated to the same amount as in TOMs.…”

“…Two recent humor models postulated that mind reading is always part of humor processing (Howe, 2002;Jung, 2003). Howe (2002) stated that the essential element of humor is the observation and understanding of thought processes in the mind of the subject of a joke.…”

“…However, they had no adequate control condition in order to prove that mentalizing is always involved in humor processing. In contrast to Howe (2002), Jung (2003) and Bartolo et al (2006), we assumed that only in the TOM condition is it really necessary to activate mentalizing capabilities. Other humor types, for example visual puns or semantic humor, don't require taking the perspective of others and should therefore portray less activity in so-called mentalizing areas, particularly in medial prefrontal areas or in the TPJ.…”

Humor(lessness) elucidated – Sense of humor in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Review and Introduction

“…However, as soon as the jokes become more complex or require the attribution of (false) mental states to the characters portrayed in it, difficulties emerge (Samson and Hegenloh 2010). Previous studies emphasized the importance of Theory of Mind in at least certain forms of humor (e.g., Gallagher et al 2000;Howe 2002;Jung 2003;. Therefore it is important to consider stimuli characteristics and requirements related to social cognition, when examining humor in ASD.…”

The influence of empathizing and systemizing on humor processing: Theory of Mind and humor

“…Some models of humor explicitly claim that Theory of Mind, the ability to represent other people's mental states, such as beliefs, desires, emotions and goals in order to predict their actions (Baron-Cohen et al 1985;Premack and Woodruff 1978), is necessary to process humor (Howe 2002;Jung 2003). Theory of Mind, also called mentalizing, has been described as the cognitive component of empathy (e.g., Baron-Cohen 2003).…”