Theories of humor

Maya Angelou, In Context Magazine The idea that laughter and humor are good for your health is not a new concept. Aristotle, Nightingale, and Freud have all given their opinions on the topic just to name a few (Dean & Gregory, 2004). Humor is universal in scope but ambiguous in definition. A concept analysis attempts to develop a clear definition for use in nursing. Therefore the most logical place to locate the definition of humor as it applies to nursing is a peer reviewed concept analysis…

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, is a unique piece of literature that captures absurdity through humor. Douglas Adams use of absurdity sheds a light on the broader human emotions using ridiculousness and silliness. He uses the incongruity theory of humor, when something violates our mental patterns and expectations, to mix humor and irrational events to bring laughter. While the book and the movie have many differences, they both still hold the theme of absurdity, where very few things end…

Humor at the Expense of Blonde White Women Throughout the history of mankind, human beings have expressed humor in the form of laughter; a sense of humor as we perceive it today is a relatively recent construct of modern day social scientists and psychologists (Holland, 1982).However, our sense of humor, as well as our conception of the same is not static but changes with the changing consciousness of the society. As societies become more complex, our understanding of the concept of or sense…

reasoning behind it remains unknown. However, laughter, more specifically comedy, is a powerful weapon that can be used to impact and control society. In particular, when authority is tyrannical the best response is simply ridiculing them by the use of humor. A dehumanizing effect which not only weakens authority’s power, but gives the power back to the people in return. The Shmeed Memoirs, a satirical piece from the point of view of Hitler’s barber, and “Bill Posters”- a quick and witty…

each other. When superiority theories explain how people express superiority, alienation and differences through humour, relief/release theories explain the reaction of people’s body through the action of laughter and how humour is constructed and cognitively processed is explain in incongruity theories. This section provides a brief overview of the complex of humour concept and the theories behind its mechanism. Although the definition of humour varies from context to context depending on the…

Emily Fox ENG 2750 5/26/16 Exam: A Midsummer Night's Dream 1. Comedy is a very complex genre because many people react to humor differently - and what one person might find funny, another might not. Most often, comedy is about something that is considered universally funny, or about something related to our present day culture. For example, many people find TV Shows that talk about current events in a comic way hilarious, but for someone not aware of the current events they are making fun of,…

I am humorous because I can improve anyone’s mood with the use of humor. I am curious because I am eager to learn new things, and I am helpful because I do not hesitate to help others. My peers and teachers do not see this, but I do. They do not see these characteristics because they do not know me as well as I do. Furthermore…

an analysis of Black Humor in Süskind’s Perfume As the researchers looked on to their hero “casting his garments from him in the icy cold and whooping in exultation”, they found meaning in their sacrifice for their scientific cause despite the fact that their movement was founded on completely false information. It’s almost ironic how people can find meaning in a meaningless science by what most people would consider an act that completely confutes it. Süskind’s Black Humor, while very offensive…

believes is his or her problem. The clear way the story's two actors intersect make the events seem funny. The author injects many humorous events into the plot and ties all of the events together at the highest point of the story. Therefore, the humor can be easily pointed out through the narrator, the use of irony, the cartoon like characters and the twists of plot All of these elements make the readers feel the tale has been much more funny than tragic, because an emotional distance has been…

Life is full of worry and situations that have the potential to become overwhelming. I personally find that anytime I can share some hilarity, my day can immediately improve. I see humor as an equalizer in the human experience. My family thinks that we are a crazy bunch, but we just fill our home with silly moments. Luckily for me, Sandra has the unique ability to turn me into a ten year old when she gets me laughing. I end up with…