Laughter expert findings of what makes us laugh

"Like language, laughter is a basic part of the being human," says Robert Provine, a laughter expert at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Unlike language, however, it does not have to be learned. Babies first laugh when they are as young as three to four months old.

Provine and a few other scientists take the study of laughter and humor seriously. "After more than 27 years of study, I can now state with certainty what kinds of things will make us laugh," says Richard Taffinger, an expert on comedy at Wsashington State University in Pullman.

Tallinger examined a wide range of sources from Shakespeare to "Mad' magazine. He studied thousands of hours of television comedies, Then he identified six basic elements that can make us crack up. Any humorous situation will involve one or more of these elements, he says. If something about one of the elemtns is not right, a joke will fail.

The things that make us laugh

The surprise element - Th unexpected surprise can be funny.

Crazy clowning - Such as Lucille Ball, the 3 Stooges etc.

Funny things you read about - Cartoons, comics, funny headlines, bloopers etc.

Funny tricks played - Particularly when it happens to others

Silly and funny accidents - Such as seen on funniest videos, the 'Candid Camera' series, The Montreal 'For laughs' show etc.

Humorous behavior - Embarrassing experiences, funny behavior displayed by others, such as funny dress-ups etc.