3 Evolutionary Approaches to Humor: Critical Review and New Advances
-
Gil Greengross
Abstract
This chapter summarizes the theories and research on the evolutionary bases of humor. We aim to explain the potential adaptive value of humor, what functions humor serves, and how a sense of humor can help increase fitness. We will focus our explanations on the two central mechanisms, natural selection and sexual selection, that are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. Using these mechanisms, we will explore how production and appreciation of humor can contribute to survival and enhance mating success. Several evolutionary explanations have been offered over the years, starting with Charles Darwin’s view of humor as “tickling of the mind”. The theories vary in scope, with some focusing on a specific aspect of humor or laughter, while others are more comprehensive. Each theory illuminates important tenets of humor, but not all. We will critically review and evaluate the various evolutionary theories, highlighting the strengths and weakness of each, and suggest directions for future research - including exploring humor’s links to other uniquely human capacities like intelligence, creativity, and artistry. Humor is a multifaceted phenomenon, and understanding it requires insights from disparate academic fields. Only a multidisciplinary approach could provide a complete understanding of such a unique human experience.
Abstract
This chapter summarizes the theories and research on the evolutionary bases of humor. We aim to explain the potential adaptive value of humor, what functions humor serves, and how a sense of humor can help increase fitness. We will focus our explanations on the two central mechanisms, natural selection and sexual selection, that are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. Using these mechanisms, we will explore how production and appreciation of humor can contribute to survival and enhance mating success. Several evolutionary explanations have been offered over the years, starting with Charles Darwin’s view of humor as “tickling of the mind”. The theories vary in scope, with some focusing on a specific aspect of humor or laughter, while others are more comprehensive. Each theory illuminates important tenets of humor, but not all. We will critically review and evaluate the various evolutionary theories, highlighting the strengths and weakness of each, and suggest directions for future research - including exploring humor’s links to other uniquely human capacities like intelligence, creativity, and artistry. Humor is a multifaceted phenomenon, and understanding it requires insights from disparate academic fields. Only a multidisciplinary approach could provide a complete understanding of such a unique human experience.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface 1
-
Part 1: Essence of Humor: What Makes Something Funny?
-
Section 1: Psychological Processes: Why Do People Find Things Humorous?
- 1 Psychological Approaches to Humor: The Interaction of Cognition and Motivation 15
- 2 Personality Approaches: Beyond the ‘Sense of Humor’ 31
- 3 Evolutionary Approaches to Humor: Critical Review and New Advances 49
- 4 The Neuroscience of Humor 65
-
Section 2: Text Properties: What Makes a Text Humorous?
- 5 Computational Humor Models and Applications 87
- 6 The Role of Incongruity in Humorous Texts 105
- 7 Cognitive Approaches to Humor: Linguistic, Developmental, and Affective Science Considerations 125
- 8 Humor and Figurative Language 145
-
Section 3: Broader Social Context: How is Humor Shaped by Social Relations and Culture?
- 9 Failed Humor 165
- 10 Humor and Culture 181
- 11 Humor and Translation: Cultural Implications 201
- 12 Cultural Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Humor 221
-
Part 2: The Functions of Humor: How Do People Experience, Perform and Share Humor?
-
Section 1: Psychological Processes: What Functions Does Humor Serve for the Individual?
- 13 Effect of Humor on Cognition 243
- 14 Humor Appreciation Across the Lifespan 257
- 15 Humor, Health, and Well-Being: Is Humor Really Good for Us? 271
-
Section 2: Text Properties: What Contextual Factors Affect Humor Perception?
- 16 The Sociopragmatics of Humor 289
- 17 Conversational Humour 307
- 18 Satire and Parody 327
- 19 New Forms and Genres of Humor in Social Media 345
-
Section 3: Broader Social Context: How Does Humor Function in Social Relations and Culture?
- 20 Humor as a Double-Edged Sword: Uniting and Dividing in Social Interaction 365
- 21 The Role of Humor in Initiating Romantic Relationships 379
- 22 Gender and Humor: The New State of the Art 395
- 23 Ethnic Humor Across Cultures: Prevalence and Appeal 413
- 24 Disparagement Humor and Subversion 431
- 25 Humor in Media and Popular Culture 449
- 26 Political Humor 467
- 27 Culture and Comedy: Stand-up across Cultures 479
- 28 The Art and Efficacy of Clowning 495
- 29 The Dark Side of Stand-Up Comedy 509
- 30 Play or Power: The Social Significance of the Practical Joke 523
- 31 The Ethics of Humor and Comedy 539
- 32 Humor in Religious Contexts: An Overview 557
- 33 Humorless or Humor-Friendly Religion? Psychological Theory and Research 575
- Postscript: Humor: Universality, Genealogy, and Concept Formation 595
- Contributors 605
- Index 617
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface 1
-
Part 1: Essence of Humor: What Makes Something Funny?
-
Section 1: Psychological Processes: Why Do People Find Things Humorous?
- 1 Psychological Approaches to Humor: The Interaction of Cognition and Motivation 15
- 2 Personality Approaches: Beyond the ‘Sense of Humor’ 31
- 3 Evolutionary Approaches to Humor: Critical Review and New Advances 49
- 4 The Neuroscience of Humor 65
-
Section 2: Text Properties: What Makes a Text Humorous?
- 5 Computational Humor Models and Applications 87
- 6 The Role of Incongruity in Humorous Texts 105
- 7 Cognitive Approaches to Humor: Linguistic, Developmental, and Affective Science Considerations 125
- 8 Humor and Figurative Language 145
-
Section 3: Broader Social Context: How is Humor Shaped by Social Relations and Culture?
- 9 Failed Humor 165
- 10 Humor and Culture 181
- 11 Humor and Translation: Cultural Implications 201
- 12 Cultural Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Humor 221
-
Part 2: The Functions of Humor: How Do People Experience, Perform and Share Humor?
-
Section 1: Psychological Processes: What Functions Does Humor Serve for the Individual?
- 13 Effect of Humor on Cognition 243
- 14 Humor Appreciation Across the Lifespan 257
- 15 Humor, Health, and Well-Being: Is Humor Really Good for Us? 271
-
Section 2: Text Properties: What Contextual Factors Affect Humor Perception?
- 16 The Sociopragmatics of Humor 289
- 17 Conversational Humour 307
- 18 Satire and Parody 327
- 19 New Forms and Genres of Humor in Social Media 345
-
Section 3: Broader Social Context: How Does Humor Function in Social Relations and Culture?
- 20 Humor as a Double-Edged Sword: Uniting and Dividing in Social Interaction 365
- 21 The Role of Humor in Initiating Romantic Relationships 379
- 22 Gender and Humor: The New State of the Art 395
- 23 Ethnic Humor Across Cultures: Prevalence and Appeal 413
- 24 Disparagement Humor and Subversion 431
- 25 Humor in Media and Popular Culture 449
- 26 Political Humor 467
- 27 Culture and Comedy: Stand-up across Cultures 479
- 28 The Art and Efficacy of Clowning 495
- 29 The Dark Side of Stand-Up Comedy 509
- 30 Play or Power: The Social Significance of the Practical Joke 523
- 31 The Ethics of Humor and Comedy 539
- 32 Humor in Religious Contexts: An Overview 557
- 33 Humorless or Humor-Friendly Religion? Psychological Theory and Research 575
- Postscript: Humor: Universality, Genealogy, and Concept Formation 595
- Contributors 605
- Index 617