What makes us laugh? Why is comedy so important? How does comedy affect our behaviour?

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In The Psychology of Comedy, G Neil Martin, Honorary Professor of Psychology at Regent's University of London, provides a unique insight into the role of laughter and humour in our lives. From the mechanics of comedy and what makes a good joke, to the health benefits of laughter, the book delves into different types of comedy, from slapstick to complex puns, and the physiological response it provokes.

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The dark side of comedy is also considered, confronting the idea that what is funny to some can be offensive to others, making this universal experience also highly subjective.　

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Interviewed by Nathan Cassidy - a comedian and psychology graduate whose podcast Psyscomedy combines the two.