Theories and Types of Humor

Superiority Theory

• There is always a “butt” of the joke

• They are inferior, while we are superior

• Can be harmless, as in slapstick or physical comedy

• BUT, this can also be problematic if we are “punching down”

e.g. when a group of people who hold different political beliefs to the creator and intended audience are being made fun of

Incongruity Theory

• Humor coming from something (often the punchline) being unexpected or absurd.

• Something is funny because a twist is given and throws off our pattern recognition, it provokes the humor.

• Metaphors are often utilized, but not necessary.

Eg. Using a word play on the phrase ‘bear with me’ to mean act like a bear with me.

Relief Theory

• Reliefs from psychological tension such as fears, nervousness

• Laughter and joy from relief humor releases excess nervous/psychic energy

• Used in tragic situations

• Theorized by Herbert Spencer/Sigmund Freud

E.g. When a character is completely oblivious to the situation around them/in a fight (Jar jar binks)

Self-Deprecating

Meaning: To make your achievements, appearance, mental illnesses, issues and insecurities into jokes, sort of sarcastic

Why: A lot of people use them to fit in, make themselves feel better, that’s their type of humor

Effects on other people: Can be awkward, sad, exhausting -> they feel like they have to reassure/worry about you

The problem: It’s pretty negative, can make your mental health worse, and self-esteem worse, can drive people away, can be edgy and unfunny

Observational

Observational comedy is a form of humor based on the common aspects of everyday life. The comedian can make an observation about something which is obvious but ironic to point out.

Surreal

• When going against what the audience expects in a way that is illogical and juxtapositional

• Events and behaviors that are obviously illogical and juxtapositional

• Violations of causal reasoning

• Irrational or absurd situations

E.g. Things to do on a Sunday: let a grown man eat half a boiled egg off your forehead

Wordplay

• It's the clever/witty use of words and meaning to form amusing and humorous expressions

• Involves using literary devices (consonance, assonance, alliteration, pun, etc)

• It relies on the sound/pronunciation of the words and the meaning

E.g. Often used in dad jokes: The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar. It was tense.

Topical

• Humor that revolves around current events/ issues that are important and popular.

• The humor diminishes when the topic is no longer relevant

• May be used in order to mock something/someone

Eg: In the comic Trump thinks that the map is of which states the republican party has won however Biden is reminding him that it is just a map of covid hotspots in the US.

Satire

• Exaggeration or irony to criticize people’s vices and the limitations of society

• In the context of politics or topical issues

• It’s like constructive social criticism with wit

E.g. Government’s denial of climate change

Dark Humor

• Involving gloomy or morbid satire

• Finds brighter sides of difficult subjects by adding humor

• “We can’t defeat death, but we can make it look a bit silly.” (BBC)

Example: Do you know the phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Wonderful saying, horrible way to find out that you were adopted.