We’ve all sat in one of those memorable training sessions.
You know — the ones where your main takeaway was the number of ceiling tiles above your head. Or the ones where you considered faking a “Wi-Fi drop” just to escape.
Now compare that to a session where the trainer made you laugh — not in a “try-hard clown” way, but with smart, relevant humour that kept you engaged and curious. Chances are, you not only stayed awake, but you actually remembered the content.
That’s not magic. That’s neuroscience.
Why Humour Works on the Brain
When you laugh, your brain releases dopamine — the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure, reward, and motivation (Mobbs et al., 2003). Dopamine is also deeply connected to long-term memory formation, meaning that a laugh at the right moment can literally help you store and retrieve information more effectively.
Think of humour as superglue:
- No humour = the content slides right off.
- Well-placed humour = the content sticks.
In fact, a review of four decades in research found that appropriate humour in educational settings increases engagement, improves recall, and fosters a more open mindset toward new ideas (Banas et al., 2011).
The Psychological Bonus Round
Humour doesn’t just tickle your funny bone — it lowers defences.
Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden-and-Build Theory (2001) explains how positive emotions expand our thinking, making us more creative, open-minded, and resilient. In training, this means learners are more willing to participate, ask questions, and try new approaches without fearing they’ll “get it wrong.”
Humour also helps create psychological safety — that elusive workplace culture where people feel safe to speak up and share ideas without worrying they’ll be judged. A chuckle in the right place signals, “Relax, we’re all human here.”
The “Yes, But” Section — Not All Humour is Created Equal
Before we all start adding dad jokes to our slide decks, let’s be clear: the type of humour matters.
Rod Martin’s research on humour styles (2007) highlights that affiliative humour — friendly, inclusive, and relevant — is the gold standard for learning environments. Self-depreciating humour (used lightly) can also work to make trainers more relatable.
On the other hand, sarcasm, offensive jokes, or humour that targets individuals can backfire, making learners withdraw faster than you can say “icebreaker gone wrong.”
Why This Matters for Training ROI
Humour isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a performance enhancer for learning:
- Attention: Well-timed humour re-engages attention during natural mental dips.
- Retention: Dopamine boosts encoding and retrieval of information.
- Participation: Learners in positive emotional states are more willing to contribute.
If you are measuring ROI on training, humour is one of the simplest ways to increase learner engagement and application back on the job — without adding budget, only better delivery.
How ESC Uses Humour to Drive Learning
At ESC, we don’t “add humour” as a gimmick. We design it in as part of the learning experience. That means:
- Relatable, industry-specific examples that bring dry content to life.
- Light moments to break up complex material, keeping energy high.
- Trainer delivery techniques that use humour as a learning anchor — not as filler.
Because when learners are relaxed and laughing with the material, they’re not just entertained — they’re engaged, motivated, and far more likely to retain and apply what they’ve learned.
And that, for any organisation investing in skills, is the whole point.
