Funny, Are You Serious?

Bruce Wilson, PhD

“What's another word for Thesaurus?” - Steven Wright

Most of us like to laugh. But what makes something funny? Is there actually a formula for the experience of humour?

Actually, there is and it’s called a cognitive synergy. This concept explains why putting things together that don’t belong together triggers something funny, for most of us.

Cognitive Synergy

A cognitive synergy occurs when different brain regions combine from very different perspectives to arrive at a paradoxical conclusion. That is, one perspective that might make sense combines with an opposite perspective that also makes sense. These incongruent views when combined create an unsuspected and humorous outcome. Lincoln’s quote illustrates this concept well.

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” - Abraham Lincoln

When we combine two ideas in an unsuspected way we get humour. The cognitive synergy is created through the connection of two concepts that do not belong together. Take another example from comedian Robin Williams.

“Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?” - Robin Williams

Incongruity Theory

The Incongruity Theory of humour emulates cognitive synergy. It arises when there is a sudden, surprising mismatch between what we expect to happen and what actually happens (1). This surprising mismatch mirrors the same function as a cognitive synergy, which triggers a humorous reaction. Consider Buddy Hackett’s quote.

“As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.”
Buddy Hackett

Relief Theory

Another theory of humour is the Relief Theory. This theory proposes that laughter serves as a physiological and psychological mechanism for releasing pent-up nervous energy, emotional stress, or repressed anxiety. This theory lines up well with therapeutic humour, which uses laughter, playfulness, and witty perspective shifts to support emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Therapeutic humour uses the power of smiles and laughter to help support emotional well-being. This therapy includes activities that help you laugh or smile, such as funny stories and videos, playful exercises, and humorous interactions.

Laughter may improve your mood, reduce stress, and help with symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can support overall health. Jim Carrey illustrates some great work in this type of comedy. Carrey’s nervous energy allows the audience to release their own. He most likely would be rolling his eyes after the following comment.

“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.” -Jim Carrey

Superiority Theory

In the Superiority Theory of humour, people laugh because they feel a sudden sense of superiority, triumph, or high status over someone else's misfortune, stupidity, or flaws. Slapstick humour fits into this category with people slipping and falling on the ice, etc. Buster Keaton refined this type of humour in the 1920’s and Kramer from Seinfeld fame kept it going in the 1990’s.

Comedians that are self-deprecating like Rodney Dangerfield use this type of humour to let the audience feel superior. He connects his flaws to their potential to feel superior.

“My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too.” - Rodney Dangerfield

“A girl phoned me the other day and said... 'Come on over, there's nobody home.' I went over. Nobody was home.” - Rodney Dangerfield

“I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get.”
Rodney Dangerfield

Dangerfield’s entire career was made up of self-deprecating humour that was intended to help his audience leave feeling better about themselves. It probably worked for most people because people go to see comedy to feel lighter and uplifted.

“Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.”
Allen Klein

Implications

The value of humour is obvious. We can release our own nervous energy, stress and strain, which supports our physical and mental health.

Laughter is one of the few activities where we naturally let go of not only the body but also the mind. We experience respite from the seriousness of our lives even though it may be temporary.

Sharing our own humour or allowing others to share theirs also pays dividends. We solidify relationships by letting our sense of humour rise to the surface and be expressed. This social release strengthens not only the self but those around us. Humour adds fun to any experience.

One cautionary warning concerning humour is to use humour wisely. When humour is off colour or inappropriate in any way for anyone in your group there may be repercussions.

Relationships can be built or destroyed based on how your humour is accepted by others. When people are offended it may not matter that you were “just joking”. Buffoonery mocks what should not be mocked.

Aristotle and Plato viewed humour very differently. Aristotle saw the potential for wit as a social virtue. Plato thought laughter was a vice that threatened personal reason and political stability.

Perhaps the introspective approach to humour is to determine how it affects your life. What does your humour or other people’s humour do for you?

By looking at the lighter side of life we can openly discuss some of the more controversial issues like race, politics and sex, which may be too hard to tackle from a more serious perspective.

We may even discover that by opening up these discussions we get back to reason and leave our emotional biases behind. Many of these discoveries made through humour will diffuse tension and pave the way for growth and improved understanding.

When we laugh with others we are creating an improved social bonding. We become the catalyst for each other to allow positive energy to diffuse negative energy. The group dynamic will benefit from this lighter experience and relationships will improve. People will feel uplifted and rejuvenated. Humour is a healing exercise that is available to anyone, should they agree to accept it.

References

1-Buijzen, M.; Valkenburg, P. M. (2004). "Developing a Typology of Humor in Audiovisual Media". Media Psychology. 6 (2). Oxfordshire, England: Taylor & Francis: 147-167.

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