The science of humor

THE

SCIEN

CE

OF

HUMOR

WHAT IS HUMO

R?

HUMOR IS …

- Something that makes you laugh- i.e. Jokes, comedy, comic- A funny person has good sense of humor

FORMS OF HUMOR1. Slapstick –exaggeration

2. Puns

3. Sarcasm

4. Surprise

TOM & JERRY

FORMS OF HUMOR1. Slapstick

2. Puns - wordplay

3. Sarcasm

4. Surprise

FORMS OF HUMOR1. Slapstick

2. Puns

3. SarcasmThe use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

4. Surprise

FORMS OF HUMOR1. Slapstick

2. Puns

3. SarcasmThe use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

4. Surprise – directed to follow one logic and breaks it at the end

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU

THINK SOMETHING IS FUNNY ?LAUG

H!

ARE HUMANS THE ONLY

SPECIES THAT LAUGH?

NO

RAT TICKLER- DR. JAAK PANKSEPP

1. Hear the laughter when rats are tickled

2. Enjoy the company of tickler

3. Follow and play with the tickling hand, wanting more

RAT TICKLER

BONOBO LAUGH – 0.33-2.08

BONOBO LAUGH 1. Tickled bonobo laughed

2. Feel relaxed around ticklers

3. Signals that it enjoys playing with you

4. Tolerant society

QUESTION:Was there a joke before

orlaugh?

NO.BUT WHY?

What isLaughterFOR?

IN ANIMALS:- Laughter happens during play.

- It is to tell his friends that “I’m ok”

- To inform others that this situation is non-threatening

SOCIAL JOY

LAUGHTER IS CONTAGIOUS

YOU ARE MORE LIKELY

TO LAUGH WHEN

AROUND OTHERS

WHAT ELSE HAPPENS IN HUMAN?

IT IS FUNNY WHEN:1. When we learn connections between

things that are unrelated at first.

2. Joke are usually only funny the first time you hear it.

3. Because you ALREADY learnt it.

HUMOR = LEARNING

PROBLEM SOLVING THROUGH HUMORFirst, You notice something’s wrong with the story

Second, Your brain tries to fit the puzzle the clues together.

Finally,You are delighted because you understand how the 2

things are related.

DR. PETER MCGRAW

BENIGN VIOLATION THEORY

LOUIS CK - 15.30

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST

PART?PUNCH

LINE

BENIGNOf course!Nut allergies are dangerous. We must protect children against it

But maybe… If touching a nut kills you, you’re suppose to die

VIOLATION

Why is HUMOR important?

BENEFITS OF HUMOR1. Releases endorphins that ease chronic pain

2. Boost positive emotions and relaxes you, prevents high blood pressure, lets you sleep better

3. Moves your muscles, facial and abs

4. Better immune system, you are less likely to fall sick

Laughter is the best medicine!

WHEN SOMETHING/SOMEONE IS FUNNY…1. You want to be around them

-social bonding, open to connection

2. You remember it better- because you learnt it, not memorized

3. You take failure less seriously-willing to try again

HOW DO I BECOME FUNNY?

QUEST TO FUNNINESS

HOW TO BECOME FUNNY1. Growth mindset

- believing that you can become funny with practice

2. Pay attention to funny things -understand why they are funny, find the connection

3. Practice, practice, practice

SOLVING PROBLEMS THROUGH COMEDY

HOMEWORK1. Everyone think of the funniest story

you’ve heard of / saw / experienced

2. Don’t tell anyone yet! Or it won’t be funny anymore

3. Tell the class only when it is your turn

Individual presentation

26th April 2016 (TUE)