Where Laughter Comes From: Deconstructing the Cognitive Code and Social Logic of Humor

St Swithun’s School, Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HA, United Kingdom

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Abstract

Humor is a worldwide phenomenon operating at the meeting point of cognition, emotion, and social interaction. The present article is an integrative review of the psychological study of humor from theoretical, personality, developmental, and cultural aspects. The major theories of humor are also discussed: Incongruity Resolution Theory, Cognitive and Affective Mastery Theory, and Social and Emotional Interaction Theory. In addition, the four humor styles are introduced as a framework for understanding humor’s interpersonal and social functions. Personality research showed how optimism helps people find amusement in mildly stressful situations, and how tolerance is beneficial for relaxed, non-defensive humor. From a developmental perspective, humor appreciation, production, and comprehension are shown to be present in early ages. Evidence also showed gender differences was most evident during adolescence, when males show more aggressive or competitive humor and females show more affiliative and relational humor. The review also shows potential risks of humor, such as misunderstandings resulting from differences in knowledge or cultural background. Together, these perspectives position humor as a multifaceted phenomenon warranting continued interdisciplinary investigation.