Study shows how couples handle laughter and banter

Laughter plays an important role in romantic relationships, whether it's shared together or directed at the significant other.

If partners handle laughter or being laughed at in a similar way, they tend to be quite content with their relationship. People who are afraid of being laughed at are often less happy in their relationship. This also affects their partner and their sexuality, a new study has found.

The study was published in the ‘Journal of Research in Personality’. The study was carried out by the psychologists from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU).
"Earlier studies have shown that people are looking for a partner with a sense of humour and who enjoys a laugh," said study author Rene Proyer.

How people react to being laughed at differs widely, some people are afraid of being laughed at. "They tend to interpret the laughter as something negative or derogative," Proyer explained.

Proyer stated that others enjoy being the centre of attention and intentionally provoke situations that make others laugh about them. For many people, being laughed at is an expression of appreciation.
Another characteristic is enjoying laughing about others and intentionally making them the butt of jokes.