Gelotology is the study of laughter Laughter is an audible expression or the appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy . It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It is in most cases a very pleasant sensation and its effects on the body, from a psychological Psychology is the field study of human or animal mental functions and behaviors, often making use of the scientific method in laboratory research . In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is a psychologist. Psychologists are classified as social or behavioral scientists. Psychological research can be considered either basic or and physiological Physiology is the science of the functioning of living systems. It is a subcategory of biology. In physiology, the scientific method is applied to determine how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells and biomolecules carry out the chemical or physical function that they have in a living system. The word physiology is from Ancient Greek: φύσις perspective.[1] Its proponents often advocate a somewhat invasive induction of laughter on therapeutic grounds.[citation needed] It also studies the medical abnormalities of laughing.[citation needed] The word is from the Greek gelos, geloto meaning laugh, laughter, laughing.[1]

Contents

Types of therapy

Laughter

According to an article in the Psychosocial Nursing Journal, there is well documented and ongoing research in this field of study.[2][unreliable source?] This has led to new and beneficial therapies practiced by doctors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals using humor Humour or humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humours (Latin: umor, "body fluid"), control human health and emotion and laughter Laughter is an audible expression or the appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy . It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It is in most cases a very pleasant sensation to help patients cope or treat a variety of physical and psychological issues. The various therapies are not specific to health care professionals or clinicians. Some of the therapies can be practiced individually or in a group setting to aid in a person's well-being. There seems to be something to the old saying "laughter is the best medicine." Or perhaps, as stated by Voltaire François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire (pronounced: [volˈtɛʁ]), was a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. Voltaire was a prolific writer and produced works in almost every literary form including plays,, "The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease."

This program provides systematic exposure to true mirthful laughter in a supportive environment, most often through a series of so-called laughter exercises coupled with a six-step program of attitudinal re-alignment called Good-Hearted Living(c), under the guidance of a qualified leader/teacher/therapist who has completed a minimum of a 2-day basic training and earned the designation Certified Laughter Leader(t) (CLL). Having learned the program with a CLL, an individual can continue the practices on their own as a self-help strategy, or return for more group sessions. This is considered to be an adjunctive therapy rather than a primary treatment, in that it helps primary treatments work better. Guided by interpretations of available scientific research, and supported by a Professional Advisory Committee, it is thought to have potential for promoting healing, health, preventing illness, reducing stress reactions, and lifting spirits. Typically this is a group activity done in sessions of 20-minutes to an hour.

The sessions may go by various titles such as laughter club, laughter class, laughter session, laughter fitness, laughter program, and more. Sessions can be a one-off, or repeated for enhanced effect. The therapeutic advantage is thought to be enhanced by a values system which insists that sessions be non-political, non-religious, non-perfectionistic, non-exploitive, non-competitive, non-threatening, and welcoming to everybody. In addition, CLLs subscribe to Code of Ethics. Desirable personal sttributes of an effective leader, in addition to the basic training, are to be mature enough to conduct the program responsibly, and cheerful. Professionals who have other training and credentials, such as nurses and activity therapists, add value and scope to their practices by becoming CLLs. Development of this program began in 1998 and continues to evolve.

See also

Resources

General
Specific
  1. ^ a b Robertson vocabulary gelo-, geloto- +
  2. ^ Psych Nurse 2004

External links

Categories: Humor research | Human physiology | Laughter

 

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