Theories of Humor
Physiological/Sensory |
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Affective/Evaluative |
Relief: |
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Release: |
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[Juxtaposition] |
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Incongruity: |
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Superiority |
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Cognitive/Intellectual |
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Though I shall not attempt to do so here, a measure
of corroboration might be obtained by consulting the specific analysis of some
of the various proponents of the four theories of humor identified below.
Theorists of Humor
Physiological/ Sensory |
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Affective/ Evaluative |
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Relief: John
Dewey |
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Release: Sigmund
Freud (1905) |
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[Juxtaposition] |
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Incongruity: James
Beattie (1778) Soren
Kierkegaard Henri
Bergson (1911) |
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Superiority: Aristotle Quintillian Thomas
Hobbes (1651) Konrad
Lorenz |
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Cognitive/Intellectual |
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Types of
Laughter/Smiling
Physiological/ Sensory |
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Affective/ Evaluative |
Relief: |
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Funeral
giggling |
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Release: |
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Sigh |
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sniggers |
Snort |
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[Juxtaposition] |
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Cackle Smirk |
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full-throated |
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Wry
smile knowing
smile Incongruity: |
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victory
guffaw Hah! |
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Cognitive/Intellectual |
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The analysis of humorous and non-humorous laughter can
be extended to other sorts of behavioral responses to non-humorous
pleasure. Again, the merit of this
schema turns on its ability to situate behaviors that respond to non-humorous
yet pleasurable stimulants. Such
stimulants may elicit strong reactions and display recognizable affinities with
certain sorts of humor responses.
However, such responses are an immediate expression of relief, release,
superiority or resolution.
Whereas, humor responses arise only after the encounter with a
juxtaposition is satisfactorily reconciled with attendant pleasure.
Related non-humorous
‘pleasure’
Physiological/Sensory |
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Affective/ Evaluative |
Hysteric |
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Boor |
Relief: |
Exhilaration Roller
coaster |
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swearing |
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Release: |
tickling |
Surprise,
‘boo’ |
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Devil’s
advocacy |
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delusion |
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[Juxtaposition] |
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Judging
others |
magic |
Imitation |
play |
Wordplay |
Familiarity |
gossip |
derision |
illusion |
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Riddle |
Playing
with playing irony Incongruity
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Generalized
flippancy |
Superiority: |
Buffoon |
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Cynic |
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Cognitive/Intellectual |
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In
the above table, in passing, I have also indicated what I take to be four
versions of humorous excess in terms of the character type critics of humor,
like Aristotle or modern celebrants of ‘the death of irony’, have tended to
use. Thus, a hysteric is in a
state of uncontrollable physiological excitement and expression, a boor
relentlessly dwells upon and violates the socially taboo, a cynic engages in
constant and undifferentiated denigration of everything, while the buffoon
without passing judgment makes light of everything.