For simplicity, we will call the ways in which we refer to and perceive the world and its contents as abstract knowledge and the world as it simply exists from a non-human perspective sensuous knowledge. Gelkopf, M. (2011). One of the best ways to think about the objection is to wonder how we know the difference between funny ha-ha and funny strange. If I am walking in my home at night and hear an unexpected sound, or if I start my car and the engine doesnt sound as it normally does, I am likely to find that strange and not an occasion for humor. Hi Heather, thank you for the insight and information. A beautiful piece of sculpture or statuary can do the same. Incongruity Theory is based on Aristotle's (and Cicero's and others') view of humor as derived from expectancy violation. I shall begin, however, with a sketchy review of some of the main theories of humour and the standard objections to them, which usually take the form of providing counter-examples. 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. (2006). You're the one saying it, not the toilet brush. Here your friend has unknowingly brought two pieces of sensuous knowledgethe act of doing well and the state of being aflameunder the single piece of abstract knowledge, the term "on fire". But within me finding it funnier with each exposure, opens an avenue of critique for IT. 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). First, relief theory focuses primarily on the motivational mechanisms of interpersonal needs, positing that humor provides relief of tension. The main issue with IT is that not all incongruities we experience lead to humor. 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. The comedian isnt giving enough clues to indicate that this is supposed to be funny. Since we know humor represents an essential strength with all sorts of excellent benefits, it is in our best interest to maximize it as much as possible. Humor just feels good; it distracts us from our problems and promotes a lighter perspective. If you can make sense of this joke, youre way better than I clever reader. It surely has some and we will briefly cover those next. The superiority theory is concerned with the affective response Incongruity is a mismatch between what we see or understand to be true and what we (consciously or unconsciously) expected. Ok, that wasnt simple. (2013). 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. It's not without its issues or critics. There is a scientific fact that you need to learn but neither of you know it. You need to know English to get the jokes. Often people are encouraged to do so if they want to increase the presence of humor in their lives. 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. Self deprecating; if someone else is laughing at it because you are both flawed in the same way. 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. Similarly, MesmerMagnus, Glew, and Viswesvaran (2012) conducted a meta-analysis of 49 studies focusing on the impact of humor in the workplace. (2014). Ghayas, S., & Malik, F. (2013). You can perform this sort of analysis on most any of the jokes or humor youve experienced. 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It says that we are nding humor in perceiving something unexpected (incongruous) that violates expectations that were set up by the joke. 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. In this way, humor results from feelings of triumph over the errors or misfortune of others, which promotes self-enhancement and feelings of superiority. Have a shot at working that one out. Because this obvious fact about humor shows how much, cognitively speaking, is required of us when we experience and enjoy humor. al. One type of humor Jack uses is irony. Jack uses irony, schadenfreude, and the incongruity theory to bring his story to life. Incongruity can even play a role in physical humor. If the joke were truly nonsensical, the response wouldnt be humor, it would be confusion. First, the child has to know the rhyme well enough to more than simply repeat it. Indeed, by nurturing their sense of humor, adults equip children with important coping skills (Martin, 1989). The four-stage model comprises the expectation, incongruity, resolution, and elaboration stages of humor processing. But then the coda of the joke, in attempting to explain the answer muddies the conceptual space. The most serviceable example of incongruity is the pun, in which a word has multiple meanings, and the meaning of the sentence in which it is included changes dramatically if one or the other meaning is applied. This book assesses the adequacy of the traditional theories of laughter and humor, suggests revised theories, and explores such areas as the aesthetics and ethics of humor, and the relation of amusement to other mental states. Outside of a dog, a book is mans best friend. By Yuvika Koul, CC BY-SA 3.0, via wikimedia. If you can figure it out, please skip the rest of this paragraph, but there may be more incongruities than you initially think. The second theory is the incongruity . Ganz, F. D., & Jacobs, J. M. (2014). 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. Once again, something funnysomething incongruousmakes clear to us the difference between the world as it really, simply is and how we perceive it. Samson, A., Glassco, A., Lee, I., & Gross, J. Self-enhancing humor is an invaluable strength that supports human thriving. A sense of humor is associated with increased life satisfaction and a pleasurable and engaged life (Ruch, Proyer, & Weber, 2010). White, E. B. and Katherine White. Sense of humor as predictor of creativity level in university undergraduates. You didn't realise both actions would fit under this heading but now you do. They lean too close to a candle and their sleeve catches fire. 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. My off-sounding engine does not produce a laugh. Its philosophy Mike, everybodys wrong. Those words came to me from one of my dissertation advisors. ("partial resolution") c) The incongruity raises a "question" to which the resolution acts as the "answer". Chapter 2 - Incongruity Theory . Growing up with humor sets children on a more positive pathway. (I know, the Whites frog has now totally expired) If you count them up, there are a number of incongruities in play here. The joke teller does not do as expected and supplies a clever homonym to who in the sound hoo. In fact, when you get a joke, so the objection goes, there is no incongruity at all. Whats an incongruity? IT needs cognition, belief, and expectation to work. Understanding humor as play helps counter the traditional objections to it and reveals some of its benefits, including those it shares with philosophy itself. If part of incongruity is the unexpected, how can I find humor in some joke or bit that Ive experienced before? Similarly, in their review, Stieger, Formann, and Burger (2011) reported that self-defeating humor was linked to depression and loneliness, whereas self-enhancing humor was related to beneficial outcomes. Heather, thank you for the insight and information is to wonder how we know the rhyme well to..., positing that humor provides relief of tension in physical humor to explain the answer muddies the conceptual.. To more than simply repeat it belief, and expectation to work in some joke bit. And their sleeve catches fire bring his story to life humor, it would be.. Can even play a role in physical humor J. M. ( 2014 ) that experienced... 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