Laughter, bonding and biological evolution

This paper combines perspectives from evolutionary biology and linguistics to discuss the early evolution of laughter possible role laughter-like vocalisation as a bonding mechanism in hominins human species. From perspective biology, we here emphasise several things: exaptation, typically very slow pace change, danger projecting backwards current utilities infer its earlier function, hundreds thousands, or even millions, years ago. linguistics, examine both semantics word ‘laugh’ vocal mechanics production, arguing that greater terminological care is needed talking about precursors ancient past. Finally, turn hypotheses how vocalisations may have arisen, long before articulate language know it today. We focus particular on Robin Dunbar’s hypothesis vocalisation, which stimulated endorphin might functioned (a kind “vocal grooming”) among The contributes special issue theme (Humour Belonging) by casting look time distant precursor humour, an cognitively socially modern forms “belonging”. At same time, cautions against casual theorising origins laughter.