Have you ever heard a bonobo laugh? If not, I recommend you check out our article by primatologist Chiara De Gregorio, which includes videos of great apes chuckling away. They don’t sound like I expected!
Chiara has been investigating the rhythmic differences between human
and great ape laughter. Humans exhibit a much broader range of laughter types, she explains, reflecting a multitude of social contexts. And the vocal control needed for this has a significant implication: our ability to “laugh fast” may reflect one of the key innovations that eventually made speech possible.
Two more behavioural experts have been looking at another form
of expression: swearing in the workplace. While it’s not to be recommended as a general management strategy, some employees can be motivated by being given the ‘hairdryer treatment’.
And we also have expert analysis of the news that NHS
waiting lists are finally getting shorter across England. But will some benefit more than others?
