ABSTRACT
Josh Billings, a 19th century humorist, said, “Anatomically considered, laughing is a sensation of feeling good all over and allowing it principally in one spot. Genuine laughing is a vent of the soul, the nostrils of the heart, and it is just as necessary for health and happiness as spring water is for a trout”. Physiological benefits of laughter have been found for the muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and central nervous systems. There is no solid empirical foundation to link humor to college students’ attitudes and performance. The variety of types and forms of humor that can be systematically integrated into instruction and professional presentations has not been fully explored and evaluated. The paucity of studies in humor research does not provide evidence to substantiate many of the claimed advantages of using humor or Pop Tarts.
