WHY BABIES LAUGH
RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS An investigation into the laughter of infants revealed that the approach of food Avas the first thing to make the test baby laugh. This occurred at the age of 39 days. The second cause of laughter Avas contagious. At ten weeks' old the baby laughed in company Avith its parents. At twel\*e Aveeks laughter was caused by the sight of a bright, attractive object. It Avas not until six Aveeks later that' the first spasm of real laughter occurred. This Avas [ due to a sharp reaction from mild fear. The child laughed when it discoA T ored that a simple shock Avas just a joke. At six months of age laughter was frequent and could be invoked by imitating the child's r ctions or by the mere repetition of a catchphrase. At seven months of age the first "intellectual" laughter Avas obv,erA r ed, the child responding Avith mirth Avhen the father spoke in :» falsetto A-oice. The ninth cause of laughter appeared soon afterAvards. This Avas inspired by the joy of accomplishing a difficult feat. The tenth and last cause of laufghter Avas the discom'iturc of others; this' is the-chief: cause among adults.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19410430.2.4.6
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 299, 30 April 1941, Page 2
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199WHY BABIES LAUGH Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 299, 30 April 1941, Page 2
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