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How many times has it happened that when one person starts laughing, it takes no time till everybody else in the group starts rolling too? And now, researchers have found clues behind this common phenomenon and have explained why laughter is so contagious. Sophie Scott at University College London measured the brain activity of 20 volunteers in a functional MRI scanner while she played them laughter, squeals of triumph and moans of fear and disgust.

To Scott, that indicates the brain is wired with “mirror circuits” that prime us to copy another”s behaviour when we recognise their emotions. The brain response was more pronounced for the sounds of laughter and triumph than the vocalisations of negative emotions, suggesting that the urge to copy is greatest when we hear another”s delight or amusement. [Story Source]

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Thanks to www.indiatimes.com