Why your sense of humour probably isn’t from your parents – CBC

July 27, 2025

A new study is challenging the long-standing notion that a good sense of humour runs in the family.

Led by Dr. Gil Greengross of Aberystwyth University and published in Twin Research and Human Genetics, the study is the first to examine the heritability of something known as humour production ability (HPA), the skill of creating humour that makes others laugh.

“People are different in their sense of humour, so not everyone is funny,” Greengross said in a video interview with CTVNews.ca. “Some are funnier than others, so an interesting question is what’s the source of these differences.”

Humour has long been considered a trait that promotes social bonding, reduces stress and increases attractiveness. But this new research, based on more than 1,300 adult twins from the U.K., suggests that, at least when it comes to producing jokes or witty remarks, the funny bone might not be inherited.

To explore this, the researchers used the twin study method, comparing identical twins (who share 100 per cent of their genes) with non-identical twins (who share about 50 per cent).

Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/no-funny-gene-your-humour-has-nothing-to-do-with-dna/