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What is the psychology science backing

the saying "behind every joke there is
some truth"?
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ChatGPT · Bot

The saying "behind every joke there is some truth"

is a common expression that suggests that jokes
Continue reading
often contain a kerne

Romsha Pandey · Follow

M.A. in Psychology, Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU) (Graduated 2019) · 5y

A joke is a form of a well disguised thought or emotion

which may be subconscious or deliberate coated in a
manner with wit and comic substance. The truth lies in
the fact that it initially was a thought or an emotion of a
person which is true or a fact.
59K views · View 75 upvotes · Answer requested by
Alessandro Reeves

Upvote · 75 2

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Starbust · Follow
Lives in New Delhi · 3y

Most of the times when a person jokes about you he or

she is actually expressing their true feelings about you
intentionally or unintentionally. Like if somebody jokes
about your driving skills then he or she somewhere in the
heart actually feels that you have poor driving skills. If the
joke was not based on the reality it would not have been
funny.
Upvote · 34

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PSYGROWTH · Follow
Answered by Mr.X · Mar 31

The saying "behind every joke there is some truth" is a

common belief that has been passed down for
generations. It suggests that jokes are often rooted in
some element of truth or reality. But what does
psychology science say about this popular saying?

According to psychology science, there may be some

truth to this saying. Studies have found that humor and
laughter can be a coping mechanism for dealing with
difficult or uncomfortable situations. Jokes can provide a
release of tension and help people to feel more relaxed
and comfortable.
Continue Reading
However, it's important to note that not all jokes are ro
Upvote · 3

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Ayesha Tariq Ali · Follow

Psychology Student, Blogger "Soulfully, A Butterfly"
Project · 5y

“A joke is truth, wrapped in a smile”

I think it has something to do with the subconscious or

unconscious - something like Freudian slips.
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Keinosuke Johan Miyanaga · Follow

the truth is what is meant to be true. · 2y

The truth in any joke is that it’s funny if, and only if, it gets
laughs.

You’ll hear many comedians talk about the context of a

comedy club or theater in comparison to someone at
home having afterthoughts about what they may have
deemed offensive. Jokes are not necessarily funny after
you stop and think about them. But what a comic is after
is the involuntary biological response in the form a laugh.

You laugh the moment you get it and once you laugh it’s
too late. The joke was already funny, with your reaction
as evidence.

Of course, funny and offensive

Continue are not exclusive. The
Reading
best comedy teaches
Upvote · 12

Darshan Pal · Follow

3y

Dont take thing too seriously, there are jokes that have
some truth in them but, there are also joking that dosent,
life is a game, and humor is a great way to play, in
addition, its amazing way to deal with things

Also consider when someone says "There's a little truth

to every joke" they're just trying to take offense at your
joke.
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Lucas Jerzy Portela · Follow

psychoanalyst, works in sessions on videocalls or
voicecalls · 5y

Psychoanalisis: jokes are one of the five formations of the

unconcious, alongside with failed acts, word slips,
dreams and sympthons. Freud even wrote an entire book
just about it: Jokes & Its Relation To The Unconcious, you
should read it.
Upvote · 7 3

Antoinette Acosta · Follow

B.A. Psychology, State University of New York at Stony
Brook · 5y

I am not sure if there is psychological backing, but I have

heard this statement before. I agree with it sometimes. I
don’t know if there is a study that specifically
manipulates variables to test any relationship on how
people communicate when they are joking while
simultaneously serious.
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Aaron Rothenberg · Follow

Hate stupid questions · 5y

Related Why do people say "it's just a joke" when I

am offended by something? My "friends" say this
a lot and I want to drop them because being hurt
should be valid enough.
They want to get away with it. By saying their insult is a
joke, they make you feel guilty for getting mad.

The cure, is to ask them, what exactly was funny about

what they said. When they can't point out any humor, tell
them that making insulting remarks is not acceptable,
and calling it a joke is just idiotic.
Upvote · 175 1

Jay Bazzinotti · Follow

Kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. · 5y

Related Why do people say mean and hurtful things

and turn them into jokes? Then get mad when you
say it wasn't funny and it hurts your feelings.
They do it because they are assholes.
Upvote · 103 5

David Lipton · Follow

Works at Self-Employment · 5y

RelatedWhy do some people bully innocent

people?
People who bully other people are most likely acting from
their own insecurity, fear of rejection, poor self-esteem.
Feel sorry for them, and then let go of them and move on.

You are never responsible for a bully’s actions.

Upvote · 45

Kirk Scott · Follow

Consultant (2005–present) · Upvoted by Dad Talks Live,
Masters Psychology & Philosophy, University of Life
(1981) and Dan Kelly, B.A. Psychology, University of…
Cincinnati (1989) · 1y
Related Do any absolute, indisputable truths of
psychology exist?

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Sonia Terboss · Follow

The circle of friendship is brilliant and powerful. An
unyielding center that is free from limitations · 8y

Related What do you say to someone who is

constantly making "jokingly" mean comments at
you all the time?
I would go with the book of questions. What this means,
ask the person questions that will cause them to look at
their self. For ex. If they said to you with humor, "You're
an idiot" My response would be, Why did you say that?
Their response "Because you are...blah, blah"
What do you mean?
"I'm just playing..blah, blah"
Why would you say that?
Their response, "I'm joking, you can't take a joke"
I can but why would you say that?
The purpose of the many questions is to shine a spot
light and to get them to reallyReading
Continue look at the self and hear
what he/she are saying without confrontation.
Upvote · 41 2

4 answers collapsed (Why?)

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