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Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Think you're hilarious but your siblings don't find you funny? Scientists discover that humour doesn't run in the family
They are the groanworthy one-liners and corny puns that make your toes curl, with 'Dad jokes' becoming a byword for the most cringe-making of them all. But if you are worried about following in your Dad's footsteps, don't panic as it's unlikely you'll inherit his humour. Experts have found that, unlike intelligence or eye colour, humour doesn't run in the family. In the first ever study to look at the influence of genes and the environment on comedic abilities, scientists asked a thousand twins to create funny captions for cartoons. By comparing a mix of both identical twins, who share 100 per cent of their DNA, and non-identical twins, who are like any biological siblings and share about 50 per cent of their DNA, their findings revealed there was no evidence that they inherited their humorous talents. If comedic ability was inherited, then the researchers would have expected to see stronger humour similarities between the identical twins compared to the non-identical twins. However, they discovered that across all twin pairs, individuals shared the same level of comedic ability, indicating humour is shaped by the environment rather than genetics. It could also help explain the rarity of comedy duos from the same family - such as the Chuckle Brothers or the Marx Brothers - compared to actors, musicians or writers. Dr Gil Greengross, from the Psychology Department at Aberystwyth University, led the study, published in the journal Twin Research and Human Genetics. He said: 'Despite humour's importance, relatively little is known about how we develop our sense of humour or why one sibling can be funny and another cannot. 'Our study's finding that these talents are not inherited is surprising, as it contradicts most research on the heritability of cognitive abilities such as creativity and mathematical skills. So, it is really fascinating.' He explained that while telling a joke may seem simple, having a good sense of humour is a complex and unique trait that is influenced by a range of psychological attributes and personality characteristics. 'It varies across different social contexts, like when going on a date or entertaining,' he said. 'This may explain why, Chuckle and Marx Brothers aside, there are few successful comedians from the same immediate family. 'What is exciting about this research is it begs the question: if our sense of humour is not handed down from our parents but comes from our environment, what is it precisely that makes us funny?' The findings also have implications for how scientists think about humour's role in evolution and even dating. Dr Greengross added: 'These early findings also challenge the widely accepted evolutionary basis of humour. 'A great sense of humour can help ease tension in dangerous situations, foster cooperation, break down interpersonal barriers, and attract mates—all of which enhance survival and reproduction. 'There are also intriguing dating and mating aspects to this. Previous research has shown that women prioritise comedic talents in a partner more than do men, whereas men value a women's ability to appreciate their humour. 'Men experience stronger selection pressure to be funny to impress women, leading to men having slightly higher humour ability, on average — a finding supported by our study.'
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
#HEALTH: Delaying bedtime could be a sign of something serious
RECENT US research suggests that habitually putting off bedtime may be associated with negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. The study focused on people living in the United States with an average age of 24. We all have those moments of extreme lethargy when we wake up and all we want to do is stay snuggled up in bed for hours. Gen Z has even turned it into a social media trend known as "bed rotting". But if getting out of bed becomes a daily struggle or is associated with chronic fatigue, this difficulty can become worrying and, in some cases, even a sign of depression. But endlessly putting off going to bed could be a cause for concern too, especially among young people, according to a new study published in the journal 'Sleep'. The study looked at a group of 390 young adults with an average age of 24. Participants were asked to keep a sleep diary for 14 days and fill out several questionnaires to better understand their emotions and determine their chronotype, a term used to describe whether someone is more of a "morning person" or a "night owl." The aim was to assess their procrastination at bedtime, ie, delaying going to sleep without this being related to external obligations or constraints (such as working late or being away from home). Although delaying going to bed can be explained by other factors, such as poor time management or a lack of self-discipline, the survey results suggest that it may also be associated with recurrent anxiety or even depressive tendencies. The responses of volunteers with a strong tendency to procrastinate at bedtime reflect a higher level of neuroticism (a tendency to experience negative emotions), as well as lower levels of conscientiousness and extraversion. "Our study demonstrated that individuals who habitually procrastinate their bedtime were actually less likely to report seeking out exciting, engaging, or enjoyable activities," says lead author Steven Carlson, a doctoral candidate in the Psychology Department at University of Utah in Salt Lake City, quoted in a news release. In light of these findings, the researcher suggests exploring emotional health as a potential target for interventions aimed at addressing the widespread problem of bedtime procrastination. "Given the ubiquity of this behaviour, and its impact on sleep health, we hope to extend this research to determine whether reducing negative emotions prior to bedtime can be an effective treatment for bedtime procrastination," the researcher says.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Over 81% of kids need screens while eating, warns SU
Rajkot: More than 81 percent of children require mobile screen engagement while eating their meals, according to the Psychology Department at Saurashtra University. A recent study conducted by students Harsha Gondaliya and Jigna Varu surveyed 940 children under the age of ten in Rajkot, revealing that most youngsters watch cartoons on their mobile devices during mealtimes. Parents, eager to ensure their children finish their food, have largely acquiesced to this practice. The university's advisory warns that such dependence on mobile distraction can have long-term repercussions on a child's mental and physical well-being. By focusing on screens rather than their plates, children miss out on the sensory experience of taste and aroma, fostering mechanical eating habits that may lead to nutritional imbalances. Dr Yogesh Jogsan, Head of the Psychology Department, explained, "There was a time when families sat together at the dining table, sharing stories about their day. Those conversations taught children language skills, respectful communication, and the importance of relationships. Nowadays, children miss these opportunities, which can hinder their vocabulary growth and social development." Beyond cognitive and social impacts, the department cautioned that excessive screen time strains young eyes, potentially necessitating prescription glasses at an early age. The advisory urges parents to minimize mobile use during meals and to revive family mealtimes as a space for conversation and connection. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
