A compilation of studies on humor shows that what we find funny, and what jokes we understand, changes throughout our lives. In a study of what young children find funny, they first learn to laugh, then seek humor, then produce their own humor. Nonsense words are funny very early, but language skills have to be in place before they can find puns funny. Duh. But as we age, our ability to find humor in the world rises until middle age, then declines in older adults, then levels off at about 80. Do old folks really have less of a sense of humor?
Losing humor with age depends on several factors, including loss of cognitive and verbal function. But it is mitigated by other factors, like education level and sex. As an educated old woman, I don't have much to worry about. But none of the studies addressed the fact that the older you get, the more likely it is that you've heard that joke before. There are a lot of factors involved in our changing sense of humor; read them at Stat Significant. There are a lot of links involved, which may send you don't an internet rabbit hole. I hope you find something to laugh at along the way. -via Digg
(Image credit: Emanuele Spies)
