Basement card games. Fireside reminiscing. Being forced to learn a dance. Does acting like a cornball matter? Will bits save your life? Yes. I got myself to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to talk with research psychologists Dr. Sara Algoe and Dr. Laura Kurtz, who also run the research collective, The Love Consortium. They’re the team behind studies proving that laughing does predict and enhance lasting social support and lead to longer, better lives. We chat sneaky studies, in person vs. remote hangouts, which came first: the giggle or the oxytocin, which “novel and arousing” activities strengthen relationships, the immersive bonding of a slumber party with people you trust, words vs. actions, laughter amid conflict, and how connecting with old friends can keep you out of the hospital unless you decide to try amateur rodeo night at the fair.&nbsp;Visit Dr. Algoe’s <a href="https://www.saraalgoe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a> and follow her on <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=lt85A8IAAAAJ" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Scholar</a>Follow Dr. Kurtz on <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=sI13xs0AAAAJ&hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Scholar</a>A donation went to <a href="https://www.theloveconsortium.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Love Consortium</a><a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/relationalpsychology" rel="noopener noreferrer">More episode sources and links</a>Other episodes you may enjoy:<a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/matrimoniology" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a><a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/personalitypsychology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Personality Psychology (PERSONALITIES)</a>, <a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/eudemonology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eudemonology (HAPPINESS)</a>, <a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/awesomeology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Awesomeology (GRATITUDE FOR LITTLE THINGS)</a>, <a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/funology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Funology (YES, FUN)</a>,<a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/food-anthropology" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a><a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gelotology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gelotology (LAUGHTER)</a>, <a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ergopathology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ergopathology (BURNOUT)</a>, <a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/philematology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Philematology (KISSING)</a>, <a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies/cardiology" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cardiology (THE HEART)</a><a href="https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic" rel="noopener noreferrer">400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic</a><a href="https://pod.link/1746567248" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes</a><a href="https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sponsors of Ologies</a><a href="https://alieward.com/ologies-extras" rel="noopener noreferrer">Transcripts and bleeped episodes</a><a href="https://www.patreon.com/ologies" rel="noopener noreferrer">Become a patron of Ologies</a> for as little as a buck a month<a href="https://www.ologiesmerch.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">OlogiesMerch.com</a> has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ologies" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Instagram</a> and<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Bluesky</a>Follow Alie Ward on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/alieward" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Instagram</a> and<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies" rel="noopener noreferrer"> TikTok</a>Editing by Mercedes Maitland of<a href="http://maitlandaudio.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Maitland Audio Productions</a> and<a href="https://www.jecmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Jake Chaffee</a>Managing Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek&nbsp;Website by<a href="https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Kelly R. Dwyer</a>Theme song by Nick Thorburn&nbsp; Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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