We All Feel The Same Way!

Seinfeld is one of the funniest TV shows ever. Pretty much everyone loves it. Everyone, that is, in the United States. And probably in many other developed countries, too. Because, after all, these people are familiar with the show’s absurd take on the odd details of modern life.

But what about people in developing countries? Or what about a tribe deep in the Amazon living a more or less Stone Age existence? If they watch Seinfeld, will they get it? Probably not. But they’ll understand that something funny is going on. Why? Because they’ll hear laughter on the soundtrack.

Scientists have studied emotions for a long time. They find that basic emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are common among all cultures. And people from different cultures, whether they’re modern Americans or pre-modern aborigines, recognize sound cues like laughter to signify specific emotions.

In other words, all people, everywhere around the world, laugh when they’re amused. And cry when they’re sad. And make scared sounds when they’re scared. So we may not all find the same things funny or scary or sad. But we all feel and express these emotions.