Humor is something that is highly valued in today’s contemporary
world. It is something that we are constantly surrounded by, something
that people use to fall back on when life gets too serious, something
that unites people together if they can laugh at the same joke.
However, humor can also cause offense and division if people oppose
the particular ways of thinking being promoted in the text. Humor is
probably the most powerful tool used by authors today to criticize,
challenge or emphasize particular ideas or issues that are dominant in
society. All humorous texts invite a certain response from its
audience; however people can choose to read with the text and laugh at
what is being ridiculed, or read against the text and condemn its
ideas. Therefore, different people will respond differently to certain
humorous texts, depending on their cultural knowledge and their
values, attitudes and beliefs towards the subject being mocked.
From the first stimulus drawn by Mark Parisi of an elderly man
misplacing his dentures when they were attached to his behind, it is
obvious that the folly being mocked is that of the elderly. The
cartoon draws attention and exaggerates the forgetful nature one
acquires when one is of old age and uses this as the ‘butt’ of the
joke to evoke laughter from the audience. Although some people might
find the cartoon amusing, the cartoon might also be taken as
offensive, depending on the values of the viewer. For example, someone
who is elderly themselves might see the cartoon as an insult as it
stereotypes all elderly as incompetent and forgetful. Whereas someone
who is does not regard elderly very highly, say som...
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... might find this picture
funny as they agree with the values being endorsed in the text – Steve
Irwin is an idiot.
We are positioned to laugh at something that is inevitable to everyone
– getting old. We as Australians are positioned to laugh at Australian
icons ‘feeding’ their children to vicious animals. Could it be that
because we feel inclined to laugh at something ‘humorous’ without
thinking about the more complex ideas and critique underpinned, we
fail to see an issue for what it really is? Could it be that because
we do not take anything seriously anymore, humour has turned us
callous and ignorant, finding even the most morbid of situations
humorous rather than see them for what they are - morbid? When you
really think about it, does this deserve a laugh? Is humour really
funny? I certainly don’t think so.
The therapeutic use of humor can be loosely defined as any activities that use the positive emotional responses associated with humor, smiling and laughter to specifically benefit one or more clients’ social, emotional, physical, cognitive or wellness domains. Using humor, therapeutically, involves establishing specific desired outcomes for a client which are facilitated by the use of humor and related techniques. Dattilo & McKenney, (2011) define the therapeutic use of humor when “specialists and others use humor in practice, they play for it to lead to specific therapeutic outcomes”. They emphasize the use of evidence based practice and a goal oriented approach as essential in using humor for therapeutic purposes. Similar to other techniques used, Therapeutic Recreation is using humor to achieve client-established goals requires a systematic approach that harnesses the medicinal benefits of the involved and evoked behaviors.
Rauk, John. "Societal Reception of Tolkien and Other Modern Writers." Michigan State U., East Lansing, MI. 28 Apr. 2004.
There are several definitions for humor (2011), one being “[t]he ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is amusing, comical, incongruous, or absurd”. The emission of smiles or laughter does not constitute something or someone is humorous, but is often a reaction to humor also known as mirth. Over the years, there have been several articles written on the use of humor in both the medical and psychological fields. In regard to the psychological field, this body of literature most often covers the definition of therapeutic humor, the benefits of humor in therapy, the risks and limitations associated with the use of humor in therapy, and therapeutic humor techniques with the need for training. The following statements will discuss the trends in the literature regarding these areas.
Humor is a seemingly simple, enjoyable construct in life shared and valued by many. Traditionally, humor has been viewed as trivial and lacking substance from an academic and scholarly standpoint. However, humor can be objective in analyzing and answering the same questions philosophers ask, ones that question widely accepted everyday concepts and ideals. The Incongruity Theory reveals the affinity between philosophy and comedy and rebukes the argument that humor is “hostile and irresponsible” (Morreall) in academics.
Have people ever wondered why they laugh when there is something funny said? Why people laugh has always been a big mystery up until a few years ago. According to a PhD titled Robert Provine, laughter has always and will always be known to mankind. Humor has made a great effect on many people, and inside of it consists of love, and kindness.Everyone knows how to laugh, people do not have to learn how to laugh. Humor and laughter comes naturally to most humans. “Why we laugh is simple, the answer is humor” (nbcnews.com). Humor comes from the word humorous. “At first, the word humorous came from referring to the body’s language and moods, but then it transitioned to the words we speak that laughter is the source of” (Vocabulary.com). Humor means the quality of being amusing or comic, especially as expressed in literature or speech (Google Search)
The spectrum of therapeutic techniques available within the health care continuum is very complex and varied. From traditional medicine, to holistic remedies, and anything in between, nurses have a rather large arsenal at their disposal when it comes to treating the patients that are under their care. Humor as an alternative therapy has long been understood as a proven means to aid in the recovery process. “With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health” (Smith & Segal, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to discuss situations in which humor would be a viable alternative therapy
John Marwood Cleese, an English actor, comedian, writer and film producer said, “If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it you acknowledge its truth”. The point he brings up is the ideology of satire. Satire, by definition, is a technique utilized by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society. This can be done by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule ("Satire - Definition and Examples", para.1). Often times, the humor used opens the audiences’ minds to the underlying problem that the writer is trying to reveal. By examining the purpose and methods of satire, dissecting literary works, and displaying examples in the media, satire is shown to be a valuable tool.
Humor can come in many different forms. Many people are aware of the blatant humor of slapstick, but it takes a keener mind to notice the subtle detail in sarcasm or satire. In A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift was able to create a piece of literature addressing the faults of the Irish culture while embedding in a humorous essay. Swift’s satire allows for the gravity of the Irish standings to be exploited under the disguise of a proposal for economic benefit.
Having groups in the workplace is extremely important as well as the worker’s desire to have a fun work environment fulfilled. Proper use of humor in the workplace makes it possible for both needs to happen. Being able to understand the connection between different types of humor and groups leads to successful group development (Fine & Saucey, 2005, p.1) You will find information on the different ways to communicate humor and the who-what-when-where and why it affects people in the workplace. Successful humor influences groups through positive impact on group efficiency, capability and knowledge (Fine & Saucey, 2005, p.2). Based on the text from three articles, cited below successful humor can have a positive outcome on a variety of group processes and outcomes which contribute to overall group effectiveness.
In America today, you will see some type of satire everywhere in America media because it is depicted in our everyday life. For example, satire appears in comics, broadcasts, TV shows, songs, etc. What makes satire more popular is the satirists who make it all possible to impact American media. Satirists have the unique ability to captivate anyone who may be listening to them speak through their words and delivery. Some famous satirists include Aaron McGruder, Milo Yiannopoulos, and “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Today, comedy news shows are becoming more and more popular, and in so, becoming a new source of information – which may, or may not, be a good thing. Most comedians twist the truth in order to connect to people and make them laugh, and some “use logic to make painful things make sense” (O’Hara 108) according to Mary O’Hara’s article “A Serious Business: What Can Comedy Do?” Satirical comedy acts as a relief mechanism in that it comforts people that may be wary about a certain subject, especially in the realm of politics. Similarly, Peter McGraw and Joel Warner talk about how comedy can act as a coping mechanism, but they also add that “activists all over the world have been using comedy as a form of political protest” (McGraw & Warner 147).
to do a short part. And he didn’t seem to mind that Homer called him
to do anything to improve the situation or cause they are fighting for. Moreover, explicit
Background and Purpose: The general purpose of this study is to show how humor operates in task-oriented group discussions. The researchers used the opportunity to study the dynamic occurence of humor during group conversations. The researchers are using the functions of humor to come up with ideals about who it is that actually does the joking (male or female), and when and where this joking takes place. The hypothesis suggests an image of joking as dealing with status in a society, the male sex, people who are very participatory and those that are frequent interrupters (or interrupted often themselves) to all show status-related patterns of humor use. The researcher’s further have a theory that if they know about the way people engage in humor, then they will be able to predict who will do so, and in what environment or circumstances.
Humor is the tendency to look at things from the mirthful or incongruous side. It is the quality that makes something laughable or amusing. Humor is the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is amusing or comical. It is the source of laughter and the catalyst of smiles. Humor is the spark that lights our eyes as well as the cause of tears that never grows old. Humor is a state of mind.