incongruity theory of humor examples
Hi Heather, thank you for the insight and information. Schulman-Green, D. (2003). If we couldnt laugh we would all go insane. Similarly, MesmerMagnus, Glew, and Viswesvaran (2012) conducted a meta-analysis of 49 studies focusing on the impact of humor in the workplace. They are reviewed along with neurolinguistic approaches, evolutionary theories of humor and a few mixed and partial theories that have been presented. Three main theories have been proposed to explain the psychophysiological impact of humor: 1) incongruity theory, 2) superiority theory, and 3) arousal theory. The joke teller then delightfully admonishes the implied silliness of the listener to have been making owl noises rather than responding appropriately to the joke form. In K. S. Cameron & G. M. Spreitzer (Eds.). While more research is sorely needed, extant literature suggests that humor may have many benefits among patients, such as enhanced immunity and positive emotions, improved interpersonal relationships, reduced pain, and increased positive emotions (Gelkopf, 2011). Infants tend to laugh when parents make funny faces and sounds, hide their faces before they. In linguistics, the affiliative aspect of humor has dominated the . If you can figure it out, please skip the rest of this paragraph, but there may be more incongruities than you initially think. One is called 'wit' and the other 'folly'. But basically, the kernel of the idea is that you experience something that does not fit easily within the particular context. 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'. And so, with laughter and love, we lived happily ever after. Hence weve found a counter-example to the theory. other humor theories began to challenge the dom-inance of the superiority theory: the relief theory and the incongruity theory. This idea is evident in Cann and Collettes study (2014), as positive outcomes were associated with self-enhancing humor. If youre looking for more science-based ways to help others overcome adversity, this collection contains. IT is refined by adding the play qualification so as to help us know which incongruities are funny ha-ha rather than funny strange.. For example, among physicians who work with dying patients, humor has been reported as one of eight coping mechanisms used to handle the extreme stress involved in doing this type of work (Schulman-Green, 2003). Recent scholars have proposed several theories explaining the underlying mechanisms of humor. The aim of this dissertation is to offer a new theory of humor that takes seriously both the universality and power of humor in culture. Children also have to realize that they are substituting and are 48 essentially playing around with the structure of the rhyme. Its more a Zen koan or riddle than a joke. Its not like a piece of music. I was raised as an only child. Abel, M. H. (2002). For example, the irony in Oedipus the King. Have a shot at working that one out. Peterson and Seligman (2004) propose six virtues and 24 character strengths that fall within each virtue category (a few examples below): Proposed links between humor and positive wellbeing are intuitive; it makes sense that those with a good sense of humor will be in a better position to weather difficult situations, enjoy more cohesive relationships, find humor in all sorts of experiences, and benefit from more positive mental and physical health (Martin, 2019). The Relief Theory claims the cause of laughter is the release of tension caused by one's fears makes one laugh. In the historical fiction novel, Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos, he includes examples of humor to improve his story. And then we experience a sudden, shocking shift in perspective as our brains adjust to the new reality. Here your friend has unknowingly brought two pieces of sensuous knowledgethe acts of looking up an answer online and of stealing it from the answers to the testunder the single piece of abstract knowledge, the idea of 'finding out an answer'. Wilkins, J., & Eisenbraun, A. J. There is good reason to believe that humor at work leads to many positive outcomes, such as increased work performance and enhanced relationships with coworkers (Cooper, 2008). The results of this study indicated that 85% of patients believed that humor helped them to deal with reality by empowering hope. Raskin, Victor. When is a coping technique seen as a way to manage, and when is it seen as a defense mechanism? The LibreTexts libraries arePowered by NICE CXone Expertand are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the California State University Affordable Learning Solutions Program, and Merlot. A friend is performing at an open mic night. 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. But then the coda of the joke, in attempting to explain the answer muddies the conceptual space. There are problems with it, as there are with all theories. The superiority theory is concerned with the affective response And no doubt comedians are having to think differently about their routines in light of the current climate. Many of these journals are the leading academic publications in their fields and together they form one of the most valuable and comprehensive bodies of research available today. 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. The jolt of gratification we feel at converting confusion into clarity is exactly what Incongruity Resolution Theory, a popular theory in the psychological study of humor, predicts: humor is the satisfying "click" of an incongruity within the joke being resolved after you find the appropriate interpretive framework. This is a rather cruel witticism but a witticism all the same. First the doctor told me the good news: I was going to have a disease named after me. It recognizes that you cant find a difference between a thing and itself. Incongruity theory is believed to be the most influential humor theory, with some proposing that incongruity is at the core of all humor (Zhan, 2012, p. 95). Coping mechanisms of physicians who routinely work with dying patients. Ostrower, C. (2015). Patient: Bullets!. There is something to be said for not taking everything too seriously. For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions There are three main concepts that guide this research; relief theory, incongruity theory, and superiority theory. From a linguistic and communicative perspective, humor involves a mix of verbal and non-verbal forms; a joke, a mirth, or a pun may not sound The term 'incongruity theory' refers to a group of philosophical accounts of humor that posit the perception of incongruity as the source of amusement. They then proceed to pour their drink over you. High comedy this isnt; its barely qualifies as a joke. The benefits of humor in nursing education. Whether you find the sly response of the joker in setting up the listener to make a silly owl noise, or the taking advantage of the form of the knock-knock joke to force the listener into the silliness, incongruity is at work here through and through. If I told you a joke where Etruscans were the main actors, you might not find it funny. The concepts involved must be related in some way or else the audience will be confused. Even if one is familiar with the lightbulb form of joke, this particular one works because the answer supplied is a non-answer. (2013). The effects of human therapy on nursing home residents measured using observational methods: The SMILE cluster randomized trial. Ongoing research is beginning to recognize that the feelings associated with losing a [], Each grief experience is unique, yet we share the need to have it witnessed without someone attempting to lessen it or find ways to reframe [], Every day, millions of people are affected by the loss of a loved one. By Steve Buissinne, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Mark Twain quite rightly explained humor saying, "Humour is the great thing, the saving thing after all. This article provides readers with a comprehensive look at humor as an important concept in positive psychology. The listener has to figure out how one side can be exactly like the other, and especially so at that. And while approaching such situations with humor may not make sense to others, humor helps nurses deal with their distress when encountering extremely difficult situations regularly (Wanzer et al., 2005). Many of us may relate to high-anxiety situations where a joke feels like a much-needed outlet. Among humans, laughter begins as early as four months of age (Lovorn, 2008). These science-based tools will help you move yourself or others through grief in a compassionate way. The joke uses the idea of a surrealist (artists who tried to pair together ideas that were often extremely different) in order to get the listener to be prepared for absurdities. You dont ask about the difference between a single thing; comparison require two things. When people write jokes, or develop humor, they find ways to play with the concepts, but not so much as make the incongruities completely nonsensical. In this instance, a person starts out with a piece of abstract knowledge and unknowingly connects it to two pieces of sensuous knowledge. More specific workplace benefits of humor included lower stress, burnout, and subordinate work withdrawal, and increased coping effectiveness, health, team cohesion, and job performance and satisfaction. In infants, humor is mainly observed in body and facial expressions during the first year of life. Quoted in Huemer n.d. Really almost any placid, extraordinarily dry, joke from Wright might stand as a counter-example to the Relief theory. A child with a well-developed sense of humor has been described as becoming a joy tracker or humor spotter in everyday life a point of view that will be carried into adulthood (Franzini, 2002, p. 11). 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. Today's humor research draws on elements of these primary theories and remixes them. 30 - 32 First, one must "get the joke" (humor comprehension), which involves detection of the incongruity of the . Humor may thus for example serve to facilitate relief of the tension caused by one's fears. Here the audience is told that the incongruities on offer are objects of humor, not concern. My siblings took it pretty hard. 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. In general, all other things being equal, if theres no reason to worry about the incongruity, then laugh. In order to get the joke you resolve the incongruity its perfectly sensible. For more information, visit http://journals.cambridge.org. The Incongruity Theory reveals the affinity between philosophy and comedy and rebukes the argument that humor is "hostile and irresponsible" (Morreall) . They lean too close to a candle and their sleeve catches fire. This isnt to say that those forms of art are not complex, its just to highlight that humor is of a different sort of experience; one that requires knowledge, expectation, and belief to typically be experienced as such. For example, one study examined the impact of humorous films on various psychological symptoms among schizophrenia inpatients. What are you allergic to? queried a stressed nurse as a gunshot victim was rushed into the ER. not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something) with your understanding of the world. The Superiority Theory You tell your friend to 'Look up the answer'. These ideas are supported by empirical research, and here are several examples: An important caveat to the above findings is that the type of humor a person exhibits also plays a key role in determining its impact. 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. Your perception only relates to part of the objectone of its possible uses. Thats a really interesting topic youre exploring. Self deprecating; if someone else is laughing at it because you are both flawed in the same way. They remember the precise time, location, and what they were doing [], Chamber of Commerce (KvK) Registration Number: 64733564, 6229 HN Maastricht, 2023 PositivePsychology.com B.V. Another issue with IT comes from my continued delight at the parrot joke. The incongruity theory states that humor is perceived at the moment of realization of incongruity between a concept involved in a certain situation and the real objects thought to be in some relation to the concept. My son used to change the last word of the first line of the famous Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star rhyme. they reply simply with "Thank you!" The BVT specifies how psychological distance plays a central role in determining whether a . However, she finds herself overwhelmed with an anxious energy that finally reaches its peak at the clowns funeral, where she is mortified by her inability to stop her pressure valve of nervous laughter. The whole joke is layered with absurdities. With this definition we can make the connection it has with . 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. But if you know nothing of the Etruscans you couldnt possibly make sense of it. In comedy, this often means that any kind of logic or familiarity is going to be replaced with something entirely different. Engaging in a humor exercise is associated with a positive mood (Edwards, 2013) and positive cognitive appraisals (Maiolino & Kuiper, 2016). The authors describe this as akin to a hydraulic engine, with laughter serving the function of a steam pipe pressure valve. Abstract. Here, two pieces of sensuous knowledgea dog and a bearded husbandare deliberately put together under a single piece of abstract knowledge: the concept of a 'furry friend', which usually means a dog, but which you now see could refer to either. The editorial policy of the journal pursues the aims of the Institute: to promote the study of philosophy in all its branches: logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, social and political philosophy and the philosophies of religion, science, history, language, mind and education. In this way, pent-up pressure is relieved through laughter. At least not the clocks I know. Here are a few examples: Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away. Similarly, Vaughan, Zeigler-Hill, and Arnau (2014) addressed stable and unstable self-esteem among college students and found that participants with stable high self-esteem were lower in less adaptive forms of humor (i.e., self-defeating humor). How is this word play an incongruity? For this reason, many famous quotes have been penned about the benefits of humor, such as: The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. Cambridge Journals publishes over 250 peer-reviewed academic journals across a wide range of subject areas, in print and online. Theres nothing more to get than the fact that its absurd. The use of defense mechanisms may have positive or negative ramifications depending upon the particular mechanism and how it is used. If you laugh at the same parts of movies that youve seen before, then that incongruity cant be unexpected. There are numerous positive benefits of humor, such as enhanced positive mood, life satisfaction, self-esteem, job performance, creativity, social bonding, and. 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. Give yourself a pat on the back! Outside of a dog, a book is mans best friend. There are 3 main theories used to explain the functions of humor: (1) the relief theory, (2) the incongruity theory, and (3) the superiority theory. Honestly, I hadnt given this much thought before perhaps other commenters can share their views but Ill point you toward an interesting read I just found by Nwankw (2021), which explores this trend toward self-censorship with reference to the comedians Trevor Noah and Basket Mouth. Ruch, W., Proyer, R., & Weber, M. (2010). Humor was the weapon of those whose lives were utterly in the hands of the executioners, those who were powerless to rebel or resist in any other way.. The most prominent neurocognitive theory of humor is the incongruity theory , which begins with detection and resolution of conflicting alternatives in the frontal lobes followed by humor appreciation in pleasure/reward areas. Analysis of any joke or bit of humor generally, if not nearly always, makes the jokes not funny. It fits with current scientific approaches, it conforms and relates to our everyday experience of humor, and its also explanatory. Inferiority Theory. Herth, K. (1990). Perhaps this isnt a great joke, but it is a sort typically seen in children. Dont forget to download our three Grief Exercises [PDF] for free. Ghayas, S., & Malik, F. (2013). What these studies are adding up to is the idea that incongruity--when an idea or an object is out of place--is the heart of humor, Martin says. This article will provide readers with an abundance of information regarding the theoretical foundations of humor within the field of psychology, as well as empirical studies linking humor to various favorable outcomes. Sensuous knowledge refers to the world as it exists from no perspective at all. 2, surprised and amused (and sometimes offended) the public by breaking with the expectation that an artist's job was to . The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The question alone is utterly nonsensical. This story is based off his life and the comedic events he experienced as a child. Bizarre or absurd as types of incongruity are a bit more difficult to describe as they are, well, bizarre, but they are definitely further refinements, or subsets of the incongruous. The effect of humorous movies on inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Firstly, relief theory argues that the act of laughing helps individuals to "subconsciously overcome inhibitions". Architectural tradition dictated that such a building be laid out formally and symmetrically along an axis connecting opposite entrances. But the incongruity theory says that our perceptions of things in the real world only ever relate to part of that thing- they are incomplete. Humor in the home and in the classroom: The benefits of laughing while we learn. It publishes over 2,500 books a year for distribution in more than 200 countries. Philosophy, the journal of The Royal Institute of Philosophy is published by Cambridge University Press quarterly in January, April, July and October. The cognitive-perceptual component. That is why, although the Incongruity Theory freed humor from the traditional stigma of being anti-social, it has not . Incongruity: Conflicting ideas, bizarre juxtapositions, and any other gaps between expectations and reality create comedy. Understanding humor as play helps counter the traditional objections to it and reveals some of its benefits, including those it shares with philosophy itself. Cambridge University Press is committed by its charter to disseminate knowledge as widely as possible across the globe. For example, the mechanism of denial, when used by addicts, serves as a barrier to accepting the addiction and seeking help. One such popular incongruity theory is the incongruity-resolution (IR) theory, which is especially useful for computational models due to its mechanical (rather than descriptive) nature. Humor as a defense mechanism during the Holocaust. Hydraulic Model. 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. Indeed, by nurturing their sense of humor, adults equip children with important coping skills (Martin, 1989). My off-sounding engine does not produce a laugh. Low, L., Goodenough, B., Fletcher, J., Xu, K., Casey, A., Chenoweth, L., Brodaty, H. (2014). . Humor theories and the physiological benefits of laughter. Top humor theories are described, along with the role of humor as both a defense mechanism and character strength. A fair warning is needed, as jokes are but a small slice of the humor pie. I would like to end with one of my favorite jokes from esteemed humor researcher Victor Raskin. It's Funny 'Cause It's True (Henrigillis and Gimbel), { "2.01:_Metaphysics" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.
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