Laughter: Love, Joy, and Language

- What happens during laughter? It has to do with breathing, as neuroscientist Sophie Scott explains, as well as emotions, and the voice. Studying the mechanisms of laughter, she discovered it’s a social, universal expression not just in humans but even chimpanzees and rats. Brain scans revealed the areas of the brain active during laughter (interestingly, similar to yawning, another socially contagious expression). Her lab also examined polite, posed laughter vs. uncontrollable mirth, and revealed how we tell the difference.

“It Gets Better? Ingrid and Desiree”

- From The Slope, a comedy web series about “superficial, homophobic lesbians” living in Park Slope, Brooklyn, this episode spoofs the It Gets Better video campaign against bullying and suicide. Serious subjects, It Gets Better has been a massive success with tens of thousands of videos made by people encouraging gay youth to hold on past high school. I’d never seen a spoof video – surely too sensitive a subject? – but this one is right on target. Potentially offensive if you take yourself too seriously, but watch it in the light hearted spirit in which it was intended and enjoy lots of laughter.

Sh*t People Say About OCD

- Although the Sh*t People Say meme is past its prime, this overlooked homemade video still rings true by parodying common things that uneducated people say to people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Example: “Could you clean my room?” Warning: coarse language (an obvious four letter word). Interactive transcript available. To learn real facts about OCD, visit her blog, and search PsychCentral’s vast archives for lots more information.

We Didn’t Start the Scanner

- Exactly as described: “A History of Cognitive Neuroscience…in Three Minutes.” Set to the melody of Billy Joel’s classic song “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” new lyrics highlight significant scientists and advances in the field over the years, interspersed with comedy bits reminiscent of silent films. A lively and fun history lesson, this student video won the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience Brains on Film Competition 2012 at University College London. Full lyrics are available here in the video’s description. Hat tip: contest organizer Sophie Scott.

Catwoman Therapy! Episode 13

- Comedy skit about villainess Catwoman in session with a frustrated psychotherapist, delving into her obsession with Batman, and her many annoying cat mannerisms. Well-acted and edited, this is a hilarious concept that’s been nicely executed. Watch the whole Super Therapy series featuring assorted superheroes in therapy. Great stuff.

Untitled Psychiatric Sitcom Episode #2 Sneak Peek #3

A well-acted exaggerated dysfunctional exchange between a mother and a son in their home, in front of a group of his colleague psychiatrists. Scene from a sitcom that’s yet to be released, from the second episode titled “Zsa Zsa and the Wooden Dummy.” The indie sitcom has not settled on a title but is considering “All My Shrinks” and “Freudian Quips” among others. We look forward to seeing a full episode soon.

Psychology Experiment: Invisible Rope

- A simple, light-hearted prank by college students using a cognitive illusion. Two men appear to be holding a rope above the ground. People move around them, jump the rope, and even stop their cars to avoid it. But is it real? Set to an energetic soundtrack, this is an easy-to-view video for all ages.

Listen to Your Brain

A slick, nicely produced, and funny music video about neuromarketing. Dr. NeuroFocus and crew explain how they examine the brain’s functioning for more incisive market research, while singing and dancing. For a more serious look at neuromarketing, check out this lecture.

Child Psychologist

A cute, short, comedy skit portraying a five year old psychotherapist in a session with her frustrated middle-aged client.

The Benign Violation Theory of Humor

The combination of a moral violation with benign consequences is a recipe for amusement, says an interesting new study on what makes things funny. Available alongside the peer-reviewed research article Benign Violations: Making Immoral Behavior Funny, McGraw and Warren, Psychological Science, 2010, in a multimedia pubcast, or an audio podcast version.