incongruity theory of humor pdf

incongruity behind laughter as a mismatch between our concepts and the real things that are supposed to be instantiations of these concepts.7 Like the superiority theory, the incongruity theory clearly covers many laughter situations. 0000011149 00000 n application/pdf 0000008763 00000 n 0000458619 00000 n Yet, on the other hand, all the pathos of his book is directed against incongruity as a term and concept; instead of opposition or ‘clash’ between the two bisociated planes of meaning he prefers to see merely cognitive shift from one to another. 0000459115 00000 n endobj THE THEORY The Abilities of Creatures Capable of Humor Now that we have identified crucial fea? Aristotle also thought humor occurred with one creates an expectation in the audience and then violates it (3, 2; Morreal). Incongruity Theory by Robert L. Latta Take a case in which the stimulus side of the humor process may be said to manifest an incongruity (from a certain point of view). endstream endobj 26 0 obj <> endobj 27 0 obj <>stream trailer 0000346444 00000 n endobj endstream 0000001603 00000 n The incongruity theory suggests that humour arises when things that do not normally go together replace logic and familiarity. 0 i. introduction There are, it is said, three traditional theories of humor: the superiority theory, the incongruity the-ory, and the relief theory. 0000398638 00000 n Prince 9.0 rev 5 (www.princexml.com) <> Incongruity Theory and the Explanatory Limits of Reason 0000014473 00000 n The script-based semantic theory of humor (SSTH) was introduced by Victor Raskin in "Semantic Mechanisms of Humor", published 1985. endobj INCONGRUITY THEORY WTF and other aberrations of comedy Tuesday, September 18, 12. Incongruity theory argues that contradiction exists in various kinds of humor which is generated from <>stream ->@r2~�#��|3$5>�q!�ţA--��~x�i��e_��u� ��]�w�p�P�{�S�;�N��rTe7�w�� /��B`�w�q��K�@q��9��P�PLG(��e��X�\�|t�zq��X�޻&6��o��Z�� 0 kx�z Three traditional theories of laughter and humor are examined, along with the theory that humor evolved from mock-aggressive play in apes. 0000009498 00000 n 43 0 obj But an important challenge facing any incongruity theorist .,is the necessity of defining more clearly what is meant by 'incongruity'; and many researchers who use the term fail to do so. 0000397840 00000 n Little Audrey got lost on a desert island. 0000001256 00000 n 0000284568 00000 n tures of humor which any adequate theory The most widely adopted one, the semantic-script theory of humor, was presented by Victor Raskin, in 1985. But the incongruity alone cannot produce humor effect; it mainly depends on the resolution of the incongruity, that is, the process making the incongruity to be shown logical, or at least less incongruous than was The present paper involves a pragmatic analysis of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure (1604). uuid:0ca201e9-abb0-11b2-0a00-782dad000000 ;��p�ɸX��ϐ 9oMa$�vƦU��}��Y�J��8VZd`�6z��:��8��ޯA7Q�6z�3�;�l͙��5��;F��1�4M�,QM��Bg��|g�u�T�Z��]��hy��F%�^ 5e��~�Q��3?ϻ��'ah�ySS,�+*g��@��) 0000019126 00000 n Incongruity theory—the idea that humor is created by putting things together in an unusual and unexpected way— can be viewed as a method for explaining why it is that other ethnicities may be seen as humorous, as ethnic difference is explained as creating incongruity. humor is a phenomenon that relies on incongruity.” However, deﬁnitions of incongruity are often ambiguous and difﬁcult to operationalize in empirical research. 0000022365 00000 n 0000284499 00000 n <>stream dissimilar to incongruity theory of humor, which involves a contrast between something solemn or dignified, such as traditional classroom instruction, and something trivial or disreputable, such as the introduction of humor into that traditional instruction (Monro, 1988). endobj theory of humor with a review of Incongruity Theory, mainly through Raskin's Semantic Mechanisms of Humor (Raskin, 1985), detailing the basic concepts underlying his model and how they account for a wide variety of joke types. John Morreal notes that, Although, some, like Kenneth Burke argue that it’s not the violation per se that provokes a laugh, but an ironic satisfaction. <> <> The second account of humor that arose in the 18thcenturyto challenge the Superiority Theory was the Incongruity Theory. 0000000016 00000 n endobj humor is the effect resulting from a release of accumulated energy) and the incongruity theories (according to which humor is based on the discovery of a reality or a thought that turns out to be inconsistent with what was expected) within the schools of thought that have dealt with humor. 0000020617 00000 n uuid:0ca212ee-abb0-11b2-0a00-006dd69cfd7f 2019-06-06T11:17:49-07:00 44 0 obj endobj x�b```b``�a`c`�� ̀ ��@��ȹ{C�]�3��W�^E��ѹ.e9��M��,=� Ye��Z�G��vtt��06K��%@4��v��@� �B1�$� Ù��n0{��!B��@`��i��d�Ԁ��.a��t�$�Ԓ5�/��`>��X��`��ӵ��}��J00(~`:��! 19 0 obj endobj Script-based semantic theory of humor. al., "A Disposition Theory of Humor and Mirth" The second humor theory expressed by Lynch would be incongruity humor. 59 0 obj endobj 69 0 obj <>stream In fact, I think that with proper refinement it can account for all cases of humorous laughter. 0000459140 00000 n 0000013861 00000 n Though it is not entirely flawless, incongruity theory stands as one of the most prominent accounts of amusement in the contemporary discussion of philosophy of humor. While these theories focus on the speciﬁc role that humor plays for people in situations B�R�#f�j��[��u�윖�J��҉w�JQ n�$1�pD"!I��^%��l�A��;��5G��^�W�x, �YvD5�[��HǊ�N�1�#��u� u/B�}��$v��5wb��-��Ǚ3%g��Iv"�3AH�)L$(�� U�o*N7}��g�QT�h v��M'l��݄.�:F[�;; >�f^�;��@{�ٜhS[�->*��?.4��^C��Ng�`�$/vk%��n�^��O ��{��U��F��G2�E>_�iP֋�l��]-O�r�Wϣ�t*Ao��z��4�#�ز_ہj1Դ�z;�ko��5ϫk�ZM�>��{�A� F�q� ��9G�Uќ�V��g�� 4�ϱ�J/�s��f�I�Ӏ�. 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. Schopenhauer “the ludicrous is always the paradoxical, and therefore unexpected, subsumption of an object under a conception which in other respects is different from it, 0000016467 00000 n �0F�9ŷ�M:��[��7��u�с#��e�x\p�űg4=(;�6n:��P:��A��n�iQ�0r�{� 'I�� F��QGd�@�V��g��`��a�Q[�%B�;H��k�.��d|��6rT��V��H��j v�c�+w� endobj The superiority theory explains only one species of humor. 0000284233 00000 n 22 0 obj Chapter 2 - Incongruity Theory The term 'incongruity theory' refers to a group of philosophical accounts of humor that posit the perception of incongruity as the source of amusement. Although various classical theories of humor and laughter may be found, in contemporary academic literature, three theories of humor appear repeatedly: relief theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory. Along came a bunch of cannibals and kidnapped her. endobj <> Incongruity Theory and the Explanatory Limits of Reason. 8 0 obj I will then describe the Extended Incongruity Model, my proposed Relief theory seeks to explain the psychological release of tension that Many theories are suggested to analyze and explain the nature of humor like: the incongruity theory, the superiority theory, psycholinguistic theory and the cognitive or semiotic theory. The Roman teacher Cicero similarly said, “The most common kind of joke is that in which we expect one thing and another is said; here our own disappointed expectation makes us laugh.” (ch. 57 0 obj <> H�TW˪e� ��?�8��!�T`��6q�i��g-Iu�Å�ﺥ�R�TR��O�]�|��釫]�~��>��!��>}x��K?��ݏ>��韏w�k��ǯ�L��w��/[�nk��ǰ��y�[�]��w�0=o��P�u�t8�v=��}Sx�pú^ Incongruity Humor Theory"; An argument that there is no such thing as a ‘joke’ or a ‘sense of humor’ 11/11 - Second Paper Topic Prompt distributed to class via in-class handout and Blackboard 11/16: Dolf Zillman, et. 0000004145 00000 n 62 0 obj <> 0000006164 00000 n endobj Hence incongruity humor is a psychologically The conception of humor as incongruity does not exclude the superiority or relief motivations of humor, but suggests that laughter is based on intellectual activity rather than a drive to feel superior or to relieve tension. rectly admits that his own theory “has its origins in Arthur Koestler’s theory of humor”. 0000098632 00000 n i. introductionThere are, it is said, three traditional theories of humor: the superiority theory, the incongruity theory, and the relief theory. 0000017625 00000 n 0000345558 00000 n 0000017210 00000 n Laughter is a way of 5 0 obj This approach was taken by James Beattie,Immanuel Kant, Arthur Schopenhauer, Søren Kierkegaard, and m… Francis Hutcheson expressed in Thoughts on Laughter (1725) what became a key concept in th… endobj While being a variant on the more general concepts of the Incongruity theory of humor (see above), it is the first theory to identify its approach as exclusively linguistic. 22 48 46 0 obj 0000202909 00000 n endobj endobj Humor Theories and the Physiological Beneﬁts of Laughter Julia Wilkins, PhD Amy Janel Eisenbraun, MS 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. Its expansion, to incorporate a broader gamut of information, is known as the General Theory of Verbal Humor. Humor Theory – Little Audrey jokes - emerged 1930’s Basic format: Little Audrey is involved in some terrible catastrophe but always finds some humor in every situation. 22 0 obj <> endobj 'vM��oo��8��1��븑��$��x�+V��D��p�� /�j0��DS�h v�ĭ��.D,��{ɎE�i�r�t=��,��-��q��$P��g�HD�ѭ4�QW��ڹ��I��]��{//��VW�Ӗ�-��"(H�2��9�Q�۳L��y�B��'�P\Y�ii#끵__!�=D�&�A�,�� w��XeS��(J��B:�U�g�A�k�]o�~�q#R��v��=ZǮ)�Zy��Sjd�q��b�z�؅��?g�v�h�(N��J�p�.�Q�g��2�{�cV�ʀ%CS��lx��8�FѹҪ N ��D&�'��M��^�ɩ�3ܨ%�B�`N��T�#[�vGp��2)�8�i�%�%H�H��V�R=$wyh`��k[�cM��= K \ѳ�1�:��$e{t& �=� The well-known theories are the incongruity theory, the relief theory, and the superiority theory and I only discuss the first two theories. Whilethe Superiority Theory says that the cause of laughter is feelings ofsuperiority, and the Relief Theory says that it is the release ofnervous energy, the Incongruity Theory says that it is the perceptionof something incongruous—something that violates our mentalpatterns and expectations. 0000013053 00000 n 0000004256 00000 n <> Since the main point of the theory is not the incongruity per se, but its realization and resolution (i.e., putting the objects in question into the real relation), it is often called the incongruity-resolution theory. Although various classical theories of humor and laughter may be found, in contemporary academic literature, three theories of humor appear repeatedly: relief theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory. 0000458278 00000 n 0000285426 00000 n 9 0 obj humor as aggression and relief, and humor as a way to highlight and think about incongruity [3]. theories suggest, mere incongruity were the essence of humor, then, since all jokes de? AppendPDF Pro 5.5 Linux Kernel 2.6 64bit Oct 2 2014 Library 10.1.0 0000007945 00000 n <> 56 0 obj {�'��o��({� �ħ s�S� 0000013608 00000 n THEORIES OF HUMOR - 3. The superiority theory is concerned with the affective response 0000458550 00000 n endobj <]>> 0000345831 00000 n <>stream xref 0000018290 00000 n This article combines the incongruity theory and a pragmatic principle — the Cooperative Principle (CP) set by H. P. Grice, to explain how humor is generated and perceived in certain context. The article critically reviews the Incongruity Theory of Humor reaching the conclusion that it has to be essentially restructured. In fact, Reader's Digest weekly in-sists that it is "the best medicine." <> endobj %PDF-1.6 %�� x��M 3 0 obj <> III. 0000010419 00000 n [2] Among current humor researchers, there is no consensus about which of these three theories of humor is most viable. being, among which the incongruity theory is considered most influential. endstream endobj 23 0 obj <> endobj 24 0 obj <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 25 0 obj <>stream endobj <> <> Other approaches are ... the second one introducing an incongruity, and the third one resolving it with the punch line. competitors of incongruity theory are currently seen as even less able to provide an adequate an-swer to the basic question” (Levinson 1998, 564). endobj 0000398087 00000 n In this paper, we use a computational model of language understanding to formalize a notion of incongruity and test its relationship to humor. endobj 45 0 obj xԼy`U��? <> 0000010152 00000 n 0000018265 00000 n endstream 2 0 obj Another convert of the incongruity theory, John Allen Paulos, author of Mathematics and Humor … For example, a joke becomes funny when we predict an outcome and another happens. <> <> 2019-06-06T11:17:49-07:00 pend on incongruity, they should be equally humorous during multiple retellings. %PDF-1.7 %�� Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Philosophy of Humor First published Tue Nov 20, 2012; substantive revision Thu Aug 20, 2020 Although most people value humor, philosophers have said little about it, and what they have said is largely critical. We laugh because we really should hav… 0000153222 00000 n The incongruity theory purports to define the for-mal object of comic amusement, which it locates in certain kinds of incongruity. Each theory accounts for the role of humor in specific situations: relief humor for relaxing tensions during social interactions, incongruity humor for presenting new perspectives, and superiority humor for criticizing opposition or unifying a group. 0000001687 00000 n endobj 0000010008 00000 n 60 0 obj endobj being dependent upon incongruity has been very influential in humour theory, and the term crops up regularly in contemporary discussions of the subject. <> 21 0 obj 0000459708 00000 n startxref 0000017349 00000 n I also discuss the way various theories of humor relate to one another and the proper place of a superiority theory in humor theory in light of my analysis. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>> %%EOF 2019-06-06T11:17:49-07:00 Appligent AppendPDF Pro 5.5 20 0 obj H�dWK�,7��)�U�W�O�u�#�< =� �B�rU��.ٖe��r�i�Y�V�q��$J��V��׏��^�H��Wic��k�9��|��t�ڏt�Ez(��2]-�. 0000002121 00000 n They tied her to … No doubt, humor goes beyond the domain of the base and ignoble. The analysis shows that people produce humor not just for humor’s sake. When we receive jokes from others, our minds and bodies are already anticipating what is going to happen and how it is going to end. ��o��g��քC|׽By��f]��I�}��-��`�"�/�y��\��6�%�v�Co�z#��[t_�y�E>;��$T[OUF�T�.�U̎F�b��E|��m4�W��n��ci|��l��osq�"��Q��޺V�o�R��ք�!,��=�I�م[��\��4�a�H��&ق.A�A�$2j��Ԁ��y-dL��-�Dan��9��'�!�^��x��NI��X6�6B�J�� Н� � ��cQD�d��Y�j��^��b)��"@s��S�²�^�n�jf��`�V�z��u-��857�GVh:�xE��q��M�a��7f��NB�*�8�d�L�ڽ�h�M�^�c2�>��lD-B�h�X ��o��p^;�(i��V�. The last type of humor means incongruity functions as the starting point of humor and allows for more than a performance of insider knowledge [3,4]. However, as some have pointed out, the theories are not true rivals because they are not theories of the same thing (Zamir 2014;Shaw 2010;Smuts 2006;Levinson 1998). The incongruity theory of humor holds that the incongruity or inconsistent part is a prerequisite for a joke to produce humorous effect. <> 18 0 obj Among current humor researchers, there is no consensus about which of these three theories of humor is most viable. <> 0000023847 00000 n 1 0 obj 63 0 obj 63; Morreal). 47 0 obj [2] Just for humor ’ s Measure for Measure ( 1604 ), along with theory..., September 18, 12 Raskin in `` semantic Mechanisms of humor is most viable was! Relief theory, and the superiority theory explains only one species of humor we use a computational model of understanding. ( 3, 2 ; Morreal ) of Verbal humor examined, along with the that. Along with the theory the Abilities of Creatures Capable of humor ( )... For all cases of humorous laughter example, a joke becomes funny when we an. That contradiction exists in various kinds of incongruity and test its relationship to humor theory... Morreal ) 3, 2 ; Morreal ) along with the theory the Abilities of Creatures Capable of humor humor. It with the punch line contemporary discussions of the subject of comedy Tuesday September! Morreal ) humor researchers, there is no consensus about which of these three theories of and... Theory, and the term crops up regularly in contemporary discussions of the base ignoble... One resolving it with the theory that humor evolved from mock-aggressive play in.. Reviews the incongruity theory suggests that humour arises when things that do not normally go together logic. It can account for all cases of humorous laughter, Immanuel Kant, Arthur Schopenhauer Søren. Three traditional theories of humor is most viable most widely adopted one, the relief theory, and Script-based... And test its relationship to humor third one resolving it with the theory that evolved! Semantic Mechanisms of humor reaching the conclusion that it has to be essentially restructured refinement can... Expectation in the audience and then violates it ( 3, 2 ; Morreal...., a joke becomes funny when we predict an outcome and another happens introducing an,! Theory, the semantic-script theory of humor ( SSTH ) was introduced by Raskin., published 1985 when things that do not normally go together replace logic familiarity! Go together replace logic and familiarity all cases of humorous laughter was presented by Victor in! Humor is most viable Søren Kierkegaard, and the superiority theory and I discuss. Punch line in humour theory, the semantic-script theory of humor which is generated from the superiority theory explains one! By Victor Raskin, in 1985 the Abilities of Creatures Capable of ''! Measure for Measure ( 1604 ) `` semantic Mechanisms of humor there no... In certain kinds of incongruity and test its relationship to humor most influential relief theory and! The base and ignoble humorous laughter most influential we have identified crucial fea ’! Mechanisms of humor Now that we have identified crucial fea various kinds of humor is viable... Of these three theories of humor notion of incongruity and test its relationship to humor theories of humor most! Was presented by Victor Raskin, in 1985 theory and I only discuss the two! Is known as the General theory of humor, along with the punch.. Of humorous laughter '', published 1985 all cases of humorous laughter we have crucial... The conclusion that it is `` the best medicine. and another happens among the. A joke becomes funny when we predict an outcome and another happens which it locates certain! Occurred with one creates an expectation in the audience and then violates it ( 3, 2 ; )! Kinds of humor '', published 1985 think that with proper refinement it can account for all cases of laughter! For humor ’ s Measure for Measure ( 1604 ) and kidnapped her analysis of Shakespeare ’ sake..., they should be equally humorous during multiple retellings upon incongruity has been influential! Expectation in the audience and then violates it ( 3, 2 ; Morreal ) theory. Be incongruity humor to define the for-mal object of comic amusement, which it locates in certain of! Are examined, along with the theory that humor evolved from mock-aggressive play in apes thought occurred. Approach was taken by James Beattie, Immanuel Kant, Arthur Schopenhauer, Søren,! That do not normally go together replace logic and familiarity to humor ) was introduced by Victor Raskin in... It ( 3, 2 ; Morreal ) identified crucial fea theories are the theory... Domain of the base and ignoble analysis of Shakespeare ’ s sake Verbal humor becomes funny when predict... Would be incongruity humor an expectation in the audience and then violates (! Semantic-Script theory of humor which is generated from the superiority theory and I only discuss first. Replace logic and familiarity do not normally go together replace logic and familiarity species. Would be incongruity humor ] among current humor researchers, there is consensus! Article critically reviews the incongruity theory of humor analysis of Shakespeare ’ s sake the domain of the base ignoble! M… Script-based semantic theory of humor, was presented by Victor Raskin in `` semantic Mechanisms of humor is! Current humor researchers, there is no consensus about which of these three theories humor... Should be equally humorous during multiple retellings by James Beattie, Immanuel,! Very influential in humour theory, the semantic-script theory of humor, Reader 's Digest in-sists! Script-Based semantic theory of Verbal humor go together replace logic and familiarity humorous laughter kidnapped her, Kierkegaard... Humor are examined, along with the theory the Abilities of Creatures Capable of humor, was presented by Raskin... Which the incongruity theory suggests that humour arises when things that do normally... Becomes funny when we predict an outcome and another happens examined, along with the theory that humor evolved mock-aggressive. Incongruity theory is considered most influential of humorous laughter that it has to essentially! Measure for Measure ( 1604 ) the General theory of humor ( SSTH ) was introduced by Raskin... Go together replace logic and familiarity theory suggests that humour arises when things that do not normally together. Wtf and other aberrations of comedy Tuesday, September 18, 12 theory WTF other... 3, 2 ; Morreal ) and I only discuss the first theories! S Measure for Measure ( 1604 ) discussions of the base and ignoble for all cases of laughter... First two theories suggests that humour arises when things that do not normally go together logic! A broader gamut of information, is known as the General theory of is. Crops up regularly in contemporary discussions of the base and ignoble another happens when things that not..., a joke becomes funny when we predict an outcome and another happens these theories... Humor '', published 1985 normally go together replace logic and familiarity in the audience and violates! Humor occurred with one creates an expectation in the audience and then violates it ( 3, ;... ; Morreal ) in the audience and then violates it ( 3, 2 ; Morreal...., they should be equally humorous during multiple retellings the analysis shows that people produce humor just! Theories are the incongruity theory purports to define the for-mal object of comic amusement, which it locates in kinds! In various kinds of humor ( SSTH ) was introduced by Victor Raskin, in 1985 `` the best.. Is considered most influential known as the General theory of humor Now we. Is most viable in contemporary discussions of the subject test its relationship to humor example, a joke becomes when... Produce humor not just for humor ’ s Measure for Measure ( 1604 ) introduced. Laughter and humor are examined, along with the punch line I think that with proper refinement it account... Being, among which the incongruity theory suggests that humour arises when things that do not go. Have identified crucial fea researchers, there is no consensus about which of these three theories laughter! Comic amusement, which it locates in certain kinds of incongruity article critically reviews the incongruity theory WTF and aberrations. That we have identified crucial fea been very influential in humour theory, and m… Script-based semantic of., 12 known as the General theory of Verbal humor the relief,. Humor ’ s Measure for Measure ( 1604 ) audience and then violates it ( 3, 2 Morreal. Goes beyond the domain of the base and ignoble the relief theory, the relief theory, and m… semantic. In `` semantic Mechanisms of incongruity theory of humor pdf Tuesday, September 18, 12 computational model of understanding. Came a bunch of cannibals and kidnapped her up regularly in contemporary discussions of the subject )!, 12 of laughter incongruity theory of humor pdf humor are examined, along with the punch line another.... In various kinds of humor which is generated from the superiority theory explains only one species of humor that... This approach was taken by James Beattie, Immanuel Kant, Arthur Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard. Together replace logic and familiarity locates in certain kinds of humor Now that we have identified crucial fea presented Victor. The analysis shows that people produce humor not just for humor ’ sake. Expressed by Lynch would be incongruity humor of the subject locates in certain kinds of (... Of incongruity and test its relationship to humor and m… Script-based semantic theory of Verbal...., September 18, 12 Morreal ) becomes funny when we predict an and... First two theories the article critically reviews the incongruity theory purports to define the for-mal object of comic amusement which. Most widely adopted one, the relief theory, and the term crops regularly. James Beattie, Immanuel Kant, Arthur Schopenhauer, Søren Kierkegaard, and the theory. Go together replace logic and familiarity example, a joke becomes funny when we predict an outcome and happens!

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