IMPORTANCE

OF
HUMOUR
What does humour mean?
The quality of being amusing or
comic, especially as expressed in
literature or speech.

Zig Ziglar
THREE MAIN THEORY OF
HUMOUR

• Relief theory
• Superiority theory
• Incongruity theory
 Relief theory
Relief theory argues that laughter and humor are ways of
blowing off psychological steam, a way to release psychic
energy. That’s why jokes told at funerals are often met not
with silence, as a somber occasion such as that might merit,
but with uproarious laughter instead.
 Superiority theory

Superiority theory was originally formulated by Plato and Aristotle to

explain a specific kind of humor: why we laugh at other’s misfortunes. In
this theory, humor is a means of declaring one’s superiority over others.
If you’re looking to cultivate a sense of humor to improve your
leadership skills, this is not the kind you want to acquire.
 Incongruity theory
Incongruity theory argues that humor arises when two
contrasting, distinct ideas are mingled. Humor often
subverts expectations, and punchlines are often the result
of an unexpected reversal.
Our Perceptions vs. the Real World
Benefits of humour
PSYCHOLOGICAL
BENEFITS
• Reduces stress
• Low blood pressure
• Elevates mood
• Improves brain functioning
• Boosts immune systerm
 Physiological
benefits
• Makes you feel good
• More control over anxiety
• protect the heart
• connects you to others
• foster instant relaxation
Social benefits
• Brings people closer
• Helps communicate message
• Diffused conflicts
• Builds trust
OTHER BENEFITS
• Gets people to listen
• Increase long term memory retention
• Aids in learning
• Improves understanding
• Reduces status differentials
• Better self-esteem
 Four types of humor
Self-enhancing humor- Which is akin to having a humorous view of
life in general
Affiliative humor - Humor designed to strengthen social bonds
Aggressive humor - Such is mocking others
Self-defeating humor - In which an individual encourages jokes that
have themselves as the target or self-deprecate.
 Psychologists are divided on whether humor
is an innate or learnable trait. There’s no such
thing as a completely humorless individual
 CAN
HUMOR
BE
TAUGHT?
Humor is a skill that everyone can
learn, and yes you can learn to be
funny
 -With practice and repetition.
-Share your point of view own
perspective.
-Use it to connect with people.
 Staircase wit

Thinking of an idea or course of action too late to use it

effectively, or the tendency to do so.
WHAT IF I
AM NOT
YOU CAN ALWAYS STEAL A JOKE

FUNNY?
GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR IS
NOT JUST ABOUT HOW YOU
CAN MAKE JOKES, BUT ITS
ALSO ABOUT HOW YOU CAN
TAKE JOKES
References
https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/
humor-life-skill/

https://owlcation.com/
humanities/Explaining-the-
Incongruity-theory-of-Comedy
THA
NK