Why do some comedy shows have canned laughter, or live audience laughter but most comedy movies don’t? And why have the laughter anyway?
Lots of studies have shown that people tend to laugh more when other people are laughing. There's something very social about it. That isn't to say they will think the material is any funnier.
The Short Answer
Lots of studies have shown that people tend to laugh more when other people are laughing. There's something very social about it. That isn't to say they will think the material is any funnier. So using laugh tracks works for television. It isn't used in movies because movies were designed to be viewed in theaters full of people. If the movie is funny, the laugh track is all the people sitting around you.
Analysis
Key Concepts: People, laugh, isn't
This explanation focuses on people, laugh, isn't and spans 73 words across 6 sentences. The depth is typical for Psychology questions (category average: 68 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Lots of studies have shown that people tend to laugh more when other people are laughing.” It then elaborates by explaining the root cause, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in Psychology
Ranked #192 of 500 Psychology questions by answer depth (top 39%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why some comedy shows have canned laughter, or live audience laughter but most comedy movies don't? and why have the laughter anyway?
Lots of studies have shown that people tend to laugh more when other people are laughing. There's something very social about it. That isn't to say they will think the material is any funnier. So using laugh tracks works for television. It isn't…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Psychology questions?
This is an above-average answer at 73 words, ranked #192 of 500 Psychology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are people, laugh, isn't.
What approach does this answer take to explain some comedy shows have canned laughter, or live audience lau?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 73 words. It is categorized under Psychology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.