In a study on the use of humor by candidates, Stewart monitored 10 primary debates leading up to the 2008 presidential election. He focused on nonverbal cues related to humorous comments, a little-researched area. “Laughing matters on the campaign trail, not only for bringing supporters together but also for defining leaders,” Stewart wrote. In egalitarian societies, such as the United States, social science research has shown that there is a preference for leaders who display what social scientists call “happiness/reassurance,” which suggests the ability to form alliances and work collaboratively. In the competitive environment of a debate, nonverbal cues...
