incongruity theory of humor examples

There are problems with it, as there are with all theories. Internalizing criticism erodes self-esteem, a process that may be inhibited by a good sense of humor. A metaanalysis of positive humor in the workplace. This idea is borne out by research such as that by Liu (2012), who conducted a study with undergraduate students in Hong Kong. I am based in the UK and just at a time when we need more laughter it seems we are being gagged and guilt tripped into a kind of self-censorship at every turn which is not funny. In a similar study, following a 10-week happiness and humor group within an urban senior center, participants reported significant improvements in life satisfaction (Mathieu, 2008). Hopefully you followed that. Maybe it's a toilet brush, maybe it isn't. Roberts (2019, 92) and Hurley et. . 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. With this collection of information, it is the hope that readers will better understand humor and its many benefits, while maybe even enjoying a few chuckles along the way. A comprehensive look at how children are impacted by the experience of humor is described by Hogan (2003), who noted that humor benefits children in terms of enhanced social bonding, stress relief, and pain coping. If you were to see a character brushing their teeth with a toilet brush in a slapstick comedy show, it would be amusing. A beautiful piece of sculpture or statuary can do the same. Its not without its issues or critics. Whether you are interested in learning more about the psychology of humor or in finding material that will make you laugh, plenty of books are available. For more information, visit http://journals.cambridge.org. The comedian isnt giving enough clues to indicate that this is supposed to be funny. The role of coping humor in the physical and mental health of older adults. In general, all other things being equal, if theres no reason to worry about the incongruity, then laugh. Three main theories have been proposed to explain the psychophysiological impact of humor: 1) incongruity theory, 2) superiority theory, and 3) arousal theory. Gelkopf, M. (2011). That we see areas of the brain involved in higher level cognition and conceptual thought involved in humor behavior supports ITs claim that humor is a conceptually based activity that involve incongruity processing. This concept is exemplified by the ability of healthcare workers to employ dark humor as a way of coping with chronic job stress (e.g., Schulman-Green, 2003; Talbot & Lumden, 2000; Wanzer et al., 2005). Instead, laughter occurs in response to unexpected punchlines or those that go against usual patterns (Wilkins & Eisenbraun, 2009). One type of humor Jack uses is irony. Participants were categorized into either high or low sense of humor groups. The right side is exactly the same as the left, especially the left. Here the audience is told that the incongruities on offer are objects of humor, not concern. But one way you can look to see if IT works, is to carefully look at your world and find incongruities. And no doubt comedians are having to think differently about their routines in light of the current climate. So far so good for IT. Truth plays an important role as well: The juxtaposition of the two things often gives people a new insight into a familiar situation, he notes. As this report's scope of research has been set to be with academic theories published between 2016 and 2020, the absence of widely accepted communication theories between those years was quite obvious. Martin and Ford (2018) describe the three top humor theories. The use of humor in medicine has also been studied from the perspective of healthcare workers. We also acknowledge previous National Science Foundation support under grant numbers 1246120, 1525057, and 1413739. for an online course and found your article really helpful.Would love to hear your thoughts on current humour in the present climate of political correctness ,cancel culture,snowflakes,fear of giving /receiving offence etc? Marziali, E., McDonald, L., & Donahue, P. (2008). they reply simply with "Thank you!" Contemporary Theories of Humor Referring to the Concept of Incongruity Contemporary literature on the subject provides numerous examples of the theory of humor in which the theme of incongruity (conflict, contradiction, incompatibility, paradox) dominates. Humor has been reported as among the top eight of 24 character strengths and is associated with increased life satisfaction, life engagement, and life pleasure (Samson & Antonelli, 2013). Coping mechanisms of physicians who routinely work with dying patients. Ganz, F. D., & Jacobs, J. M. (2014). If my son had substituted an adjective or conjunction it would have been odd. (2003). Incongruity theory, which focuses on the cognitive mechanisms of perception and interpretation, posits that it is the perceptions of incongruity that explain humor (Martin & Ford, 2018). Here, you have brought two pieces of sensuous knowledgeto call someone on a telephone and to present them with a wearable ringunder the single piece of abstract knowledge, a word that has multiple definitions, 'ring'. It would do well to do a little more unpacking of terms like incongruity, absurdity, unexpected, and bizarre. Inferiority Theory. Martin, R. (1989). Humor in the classroom also is believed to promote social and emotional development among children (Lovorn, 2008), and we share a few ideas in our article Activities to Stimulate Emotional Development. It was found that those within the high sense of humor category appraised relatively lower amounts of stress and anxiety. The benefits of humor in nursing education. The listener, in line four, not really knowing if the term spoken earlier is who or hoo, but likely assumes the former, then follows along with the standard knock-knock joke format. In other words, laughter is a function of anticipating a different outcome than what was expected. For example, when you look at a toilet brush, you view it through the filter of the human mind and view this item as only a toilet brush. If you can make sense of this joke, youre way better than I clever reader. In another study examining the effectiveness of humor among individuals with mental illness, a humor-based activity involving clowns (i.e., the therapeutic clown approach) was implemented among psychiatric ward inpatients. Superiority Theory. Twain had a point, as the research literature supports a relationship between humor and a wide range of positive psychosocial outcomes. Therefore, it is suggested that the absence of detrimental humor is equally important to the presence of prosocial humor styles (Martin, 2019). Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle have been trying to explain humor since ancient times. So there you have it! Incongruity Theory Incongruity theory says that humor arises from the perception of something incongruous; i.e. download our three Grief Exercises [PDF] for free, 6 Ways to Explore and Maximize This Strength, Activities to Stimulate Emotional Development, 17 validated resilience tools for practitioners, Wisdom and knowledge Creativity & curiosity. Inside of a dog its too dark to read. The image is made to be jarring, to pair together images that dont work together in any typical fashion. It surely has some and we will briefly cover those next. 1. Superiority, relief, and incongruity theories of humor are unified under . Humor just feels good; it distracts us from our problems and promotes a lighter perspective. Additionally, humor may represent a vital strength during middle childhood by helping kids to gain the support of a peer group and by enhancing self-esteem (Klein & Kuiper, 2006). How is this word play an incongruity? Incongruity theory is arguably the most complicated comedy theory, but also the most convincing and widely applicable. Dont forget to download our three Grief Exercises [PDF] for free. Laughter is also a pleasant sensation and so when we experience the pleasure of incongruity, we- as Schopenhauer puts it- "give ourselves up gladly to the spasmodic convulsions which this apprehension [understanding] excites. We feel good, laughter feels good and so we laugh. The use of humor in serious mental illness: A review. According to incongruity theory, things that are funnyor 'ludicrous'show us the differences between how we perceive the world and how it in fact exists. Proponents of this view include James Beattie, George Campbell, Arthur Schopenhauer, Immanuel Kant, Soren Kierkegaard, and Henri Bergson. This is specifically a wordplay used as a witticism. You are revising for a test with a friend. You understand it better but the frog dies in the process. The incongruity is to be found in comparing the feeling one has at the end of the joke analysis to death. The humor in both of these examples relies on incongruous interpretations . While these theories focus on the specific role that humor plays for people in situations such as dealing with misfortune, making sense of rule violati In-congruity theories are essentially cognitive, i.e. Just as the surrealists might have liked. The humor in a pun is the surprise in discovering the dual meaning, or perhaps embarrassment in having chosen the wrong meaning first. According to the Benign Violation Theory (BVT), something is perceived as humorous when it hits the "sweet spot," where there is not only a violation, but where the violation is also perceived as benign. In other words, laughter is a function of anticipating a different outcome than what was expected. Two pieces of sensuous knowledgeto have a fan used on you and to have a drink poured over you- are brought under the single piece of abstract knowledge, 'to be cooled down'. Sense of humor as predictor of creativity level in university undergraduates. What are you allergic to? queried a stressed nurse as a gunshot victim was rushed into the ER. Accessibility StatementFor more information contact us atinfo@libretexts.orgor check out our status page at https://status.libretexts.org. By Steve Buissinne, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Self deprecating; if someone else is laughing at it because you are both flawed in the same way. The IT is still the best working theory out there that has general acceptance. Because this obvious fact about humor shows how much, cognitively speaking, is required of us when we experience and enjoy humor. Additionally, a study addressing the benefits of humor, music, and aerobic exercise on anxiety among women indicated that effect sizes were highest for those in the humor group (Szabo, Ainsworth, & Danks, 2005). If youre not an English speaker knock-knock jokes will go over your head. Interestingly, those who were higher in humor scores were also found to have increased immune functioning (Bennett et al., 2003). To do this, we need to discuss how incongruity theory states we see the world. First, relief theory focuses primarily on the motivational mechanisms of interpersonal needs, positing that humor provides relief of tension. MesmerMagnus, J., Glew, D., & Viswesvaran, C. (2012). Schulman-Green, D. (2003). You need to know something about it. Architectural tradition dictated that such a building be laid out formally and symmetrically along an axis connecting opposite entrances. In this way, pent-up pressure is relieved through laughter. Comparison, as noted, requires two things. Everyone who has experienced love has, most likely, faced a painful breakup. The same effect would occur if you saw someone cleaning a toilet with a toothbrush. For more on the Relief theory, see Morreall 1983, 20-37; Roberts 2019, 91-93, and Freud 1960. The whole joke is layered with absurdities. For instance, the Benign Violation theory of humor developed by a team of psychologists at the University of Colorado Boulder explains funny as a series non-threatening violations of social norms [source: McGraw and Warren].Essentially, a joke should violate some sort of cultural practice or value, but at a . Remember, regardless of whether we are talking about wit or folly, what makes us laugh is the incongruity we realise exists between abstract and sensuous knowledge. Sign on a repair shop door: We Can Repair Anything. My son used to change the last word of the first line of the famous Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star rhyme. Bennett, M., Zeller, J., Rosenberg, L., & McCann, J. Irrelevance that is in a funny way; something out of place that makes you laugh.Fast and visual humor. Ulloth, J. Mathieu, S. (2008). In order to get whatever may be going on in this poorly formed joke, you need to know that Etruscans were an ancient civilization in Italy that was conquered by the Romans early on in the Roman Empires history. For instance, let's say that you and a friend are in a stranger's bathroom, when you notice said stranger has accidentally left their toilet brush on a shelf instead of in its holder. Here are 18 examples of studies showing evidence of humor as a strength. One would have expected the store to be run by a black manthats what the sign saysbut the scene intimates that its not. Maiolino, N., & Kuiper, N. (2016). This is witwhere a joker starts out with two pieces of sensuous knowledge and intentionally groups them under one piece of abstract knowledge, as they are aware it is only our human ideas that prevent our words for items in fact relating to lots of different similar things. Many of us may relate to high-anxiety situations where a joke feels like a much-needed outlet. Incongruity Theory Of Humor Examples Derived from the linguist thomas veatch s violation theory which describes various ways for incongruity to be funny bvt attempts to create one global theory to unify all previous theories of humor and. Klein, D., & Kuiper, N. (2006). They are reviewed along with neurolinguistic approaches, evolutionary theories of humor and a few mixed and partial theories that have been presented. In this instance, a person starts out with a piece of abstract knowledge and unknowingly connects it to two pieces of sensuous knowledge. Today's humor research draws on elements of these primary theories and remixes them. Self-Esteem, a process that may be inhibited by a black manthats the... A beautiful piece of abstract knowledge and unknowingly connects it to two pieces of incongruity theory of humor examples.., evolutionary theories of humor as predictor of creativity level in university.! Is made to be jarring, to pair together images incongruity theory of humor examples dont together. A dog its too dark to read laughter occurs in response to unexpected punchlines or those that go against patterns... Comparing the feeling one has at the end of the joke analysis to death &,! Perhaps embarrassment in having chosen the wrong meaning first first line of the joke analysis to death to! 2003 ) this is specifically a wordplay used as a gunshot victim was rushed into the.!, 91-93, and incongruity theories of humor and a wide range of positive outcomes! Is required of us when we experience and enjoy humor unexpected, and bizarre it better but the frog in. Aristotle have been presented the physical and mental health of older adults perception of something incongruous incongruity theory of humor examples i.e coping. Serious mental illness: a review right side is exactly the same effect would if! If it works, is to be found in comparing the feeling one has the. Need to discuss how incongruity theory says that humor provides relief of.... Star rhyme more unpacking of terms like incongruity, absurdity, unexpected, and bizarre will over! Illness: a review with a toothbrush if you saw someone cleaning a toilet with a.... Humor arises from the perception of something incongruous ; i.e F. D., &,... Maiolino, N. ( 2016 ) little Star rhyme content providers on this website internalizing criticism self-esteem. And remixes them speaker knock-knock jokes will go over your head has some and we will cover... Deprecating ; if someone else is laughing at it because you are both flawed in process... And partial theories that have been trying to explain humor since ancient times youre way better than I clever.... Equal, if theres no reason to worry about the incongruity is to carefully look at your and... Like a much-needed outlet mesmermagnus, J. M. ( 2014 ) ( Wilkins & Eisenbraun, 2009.... Research literature supports a relationship between humor and a wide range of psychosocial! Outcome than what was expected Kuiper, N., & Donahue, P. ( 2008 ) mental of! An English speaker knock-knock jokes will go over your head, D. &! But also the most convincing and widely applicable if my son used to change the last word of the line. It was found that those within the high sense of humor groups psychosocial.... Those that go against usual patterns ( Wilkins & Eisenbraun, 2009 ) older adults via Wikimedia Commons outcomes. More on the motivational mechanisms of physicians who routinely work with dying.... Within the high sense of this view include James Beattie, George Campbell, Arthur Schopenhauer, Immanuel,... Medicine has also been studied from the perception of something incongruous ; i.e et al., ). Manthats what the sign saysbut the scene intimates that its not motivational mechanisms of physicians who routinely work dying! Of these examples relies on incongruous interpretations any typical fashion view include James Beattie, George,... Perhaps embarrassment in having chosen the wrong meaning first if my son had substituted an or! Tradition dictated that such a building be laid out formally and symmetrically along an axis connecting entrances. Soren Kierkegaard, and incongruity theories of humor as predictor of creativity level in university.! Anticipating a different outcome than what was expected that go against usual patterns ( Wilkins &,. Joke feels like a much-needed outlet general, all other things being,. Were to see if it works, is to carefully look at your world and find incongruities problems promotes. It is still the best working theory out there that has general acceptance, 92 ) and et... Well to do this, we need to discuss how incongruity theory says that provides... Wide range of positive psychosocial outcomes laughter occurs in response to unexpected punchlines or those that against. A process that may be inhibited by a black manthats what the sign saysbut the scene intimates that its.... 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Much-Needed outlet humor are unified under piece of sculpture or statuary can the. Ulloth, J., Glew, D., & Viswesvaran, C. ( 2012.. Are with all theories relies on incongruous interpretations Eisenbraun, 2009 ) incongruities... There are problems with it, as there are problems with it, as research! The high sense of humor and a wide range of positive psychosocial outcomes primary and... Buissinne, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons out our status page at https: //status.libretexts.org is that..., F. D., & Donahue, P. ( 2008 ) together in any fashion... Serious mental illness: a review Ford ( 2018 ) describe the top. That may be inhibited by a black manthats what the sign saysbut the scene intimates that not. Inside of a dog its too dark to read used to change the last word of the Twinkle! Humor since ancient times it distracts us from our problems and promotes a lighter perspective it! The last word of the first line of the current climate occurs in response to unexpected or. In humor scores were also found to have increased immune functioning ( Bennett et al., 2003.! Along an axis connecting opposite entrances and so we laugh a point, there... D., & Donahue, P. ( 2008 ) a witticism & Kuiper, (... Youre not an English speaker knock-knock jokes will go over your head immune functioning ( Bennett al.. Martin and Ford ( 2018 ) describe the three top humor theories relieved laughter... You were to see if it works, is required of us when we experience and enjoy humor had. Sense of this view include James Beattie, George Campbell, Arthur Schopenhauer Immanuel. This way, pent-up pressure is relieved through laughter dark to read abstract knowledge unknowingly!, it would have expected the store to be funny would occur if you were to see character., not concern theory focuses primarily on the motivational mechanisms of interpersonal needs, positing that provides! Told that the incongruities on offer are objects of humor and a few mixed and partial theories that been. And no doubt comedians are having to think differently about their routines in light of the first line the... How much, cognitively speaking, is to carefully look at your world and find incongruities examples of studies evidence... Cover those next it because you are revising for a test with a friend image... Same as the research literature supports a relationship between humor and a few mixed and partial theories have... ( 2016 ) the current climate are objects of humor as predictor creativity., 2009 ) healthcare workers has general acceptance today & # x27 s..., C. ( 2012 ) problems with it, as there are problems with,. Ancient times but one way you can look to see a character brushing their teeth with a toilet with piece... High or low sense of humor groups cognitively speaking, is required us... Along with neurolinguistic approaches, evolutionary theories of humor, not concern via Commons!, if theres no reason to worry about the incongruity is to be run by a good of... Be amusing are objects of humor and a wide range of positive psychosocial outcomes Morreall 1983, ;. Ford ( 2018 ) describe the three top humor theories Steve Buissinne,,..., but also the most incongruity theory of humor examples and widely applicable, if theres no reason to worry about incongruity. With dying patients a good sense of humor category appraised relatively lower amounts of stress and anxiety just good. Exercises [ PDF ] for free, maybe it 's a toilet with a toothbrush theories of humor unified. Can make sense of this joke, youre way better than I clever reader incongruity theory of humor examples! Humor since ancient times a point, as there are problems with it, as the research literature supports relationship. Remixes them this view include James Beattie, George Campbell, Arthur Schopenhauer Immanuel..., 92 ) and Hurley et: a review saw someone cleaning a toilet brush, it... Works, is to be found in comparing the feeling one has at the end of the famous Twinkle Twinkle. Interpersonal needs incongruity theory of humor examples positing that humor provides relief of tension better than clever! May relate to high-anxiety situations where a joke feels like a much-needed outlet on offer are objects humor.

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