The Positive Psychology of Laughter and Humour (Positive Psychology in Practice)

Humour is officially recognized in positive psychology as one of the 24 ‘character strengths’. However, laughter has an uneasy relationship with positive psychology, despite being key to communicating joy and happiness.The Positive Psychology of Laughter and Humour corrects this disconnect by combining academic insight with real-world experience. Drawing on the authors’ diverse backgrounds and expertise, this is the first academic volume dedicated to the rarely discussed topic of laughter and humour in positive psychology.

Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky, Merv Neal and Jerome Carson demonstrate how laughter and humour differ, and how both can be applied within positive psychology to boost mood and maintain positive outcomes.The Positive Psychology of Laughter and Humour includes case studies and real-world insight as well as providing a methodological and theoretical background to the topic, giving rigorous theoretical and methodological insight for researchers, and including pedagogical sections in each chapter useful for teachers and researchers.

Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky completed her PhD in psychology at the University of Bolton in 2023 following an MSc in health psychology. Her contributions include the Laughie (Laugh Intentionally Everyday) laughter prescription and Positive Autoethnography.

Merv Neal is “Australia’s Leading Laughter Expert”, and the CEO of Laughter Yoga Australia. He has appeared on numerous television programmes and is a professional speaker and facilitator, researcher, citizen scientist, Laughter Yoga trainer and Laughie practitioner.

Jerome Carson is Professor of Psychology at the University of Bolton. He is interested in the field of alcohol addiction and recovery from a lived experience perspective, with much of his research in positive psychology and mental health recovery.