For this study, Brauer and Proyer conducted 154 online interviews with heterosexual couples
designed to identify varying degrees of gelotophobia, gelotophilia, and katagelasticism in each partner.
As would be expected, Brauer and Proyer found that katagelasticism-
as marked by one partner deriving pleasure from laughing at the other in a mean-spirited way- was associated with couples arguing more and having less sex.
Through the lens of the latest findings by Kay Brauer and René Proyer on the detriments of gelotophobia,“They All Laughed” expresses the universal
message that singles and couples can both benefit from more levity and laughter in our daily lives and romantic partnerships.