Final answer:
Studies in laughter demonstrate that primates, including humans, show laughter-like behaviors rooted in genetic makeup, supported by cultural studies identifying humor as a social universal and primatology research confirming laughter in primates. Human laughter is generally associated with positive health effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Studies in laughter have shown that primates demonstrate behaviors that resemble laughter. This evidence supports the idea that certain behavioral patterns are universal among primates, including humans, and are potentially rooted in our genetic makeup. In the context of human development, laughter plays a significant role. For example, anthropologist George Murdock identified humor and jokes as cultural universals necessary for human interaction, implying a wide-reaching impact on social cohesion and tension release. Additionally, primatology research indicates that our primate relatives also display laughter-like behavior, highlighting the potential genetic bases for such actions. While it is commonly understood that laughter has positive effects on human health, the exact developmental timeline for when human babies begin to laugh is more nuanced. Although they exhibit reflex behaviors early, laughing as a response to humor typically develops later than one week of age.
Furthermore, as people age, some studies suggest that instances of laughter may decrease due to life's complexities and responsibilities, yet this varies from person to person and is affected by individual circumstances and cultural contexts. The relationship between laughter and age is complicated and does not lend itself to a definitive statement without considering these myriad factors.