Doctor says matching laughter helps explain why some people are more likable

Dr. Connie Wang, who describes herself as the “small talk doc,” said in a recent video clip that the way people laugh — specifically the degree to which they match another person’s laugh — helps explain why some individuals are perceived as more likable and socially successful.

Wang told viewers the idea traces back to analyses of NASA interviews with astronauts, which she said showed differences in interaction style among those who later proved most successful in the program. She said the key distinction was not merely whether someone laughed but how closely they matched the interviewer’s level and intensity of laughter, a behavior she linked to emotional intelligence and rapport.

"Laughter is one of the most, if not the most, direct form of communication between two people," Wang said in the clip. She argued that because laughter is often involuntary it functions as a natural cue that the brain interprets as an invitation to connect. According to Wang, people who attune their laughter to match another person’s energy and tone can create a feeling of closeness, while a failure to mirror that energy can leave others feeling uncomfortable or rejected.

Wang emphasized that being likable, by this account, is not about laughing the loudest. "It's not just your presence of laughter, but it's your intensity of laughter that makes the difference," she said, adding that outright fakery is usually detectable and counterproductive. In her post she referred to the idea as the "NASA astronaut test" and pointed viewers to Charles Duhigg’s book Supercommunicators, which explores similar anecdotes and communication themes.

The claim Wang shared connects to broader discussions in popular and academic writing about mirroring, synchrony and the role of nonverbal cues in social bonding. Mirroring another person’s vocal tone and tempo is commonly cited in communication guides as a way to build rapport; Wang framed laughter as a particularly salient and involuntary marker that can serve that function.

Wang’s remarks were presented as practical advice for everyday interaction: she encouraged people to be attentive to others’ mood and energy and to respond in ways that acknowledge that tone, rather than to perform exaggerated or insincere behavior. She wrote that the message was not intended to promote fakery but to highlight the value of empathy and connection in communication.

The comments follow other recent conversations about traits that contribute to social and professional success. For example, Professor Joseph Fuller of Harvard Business School has emphasized openness to unexpected opportunities as a trait that helps people reach their potential, arguing that flexibility and receptiveness can be as important as predetermined goals.

Wang’s description of the laughter effect draws on historical interview material and a popular-author account rather than a single, peer-reviewed study. Observers and practitioners who counsel on communication and workplace dynamics say attention to tone, timing and nonverbal cues remains a common recommendation for strengthening interpersonal bonds and teamwork.