Paladaptive Humor Differences

"Successively, Selekman explains that fostering therapist-client cooperation is purposive use of self-disclosure, the use of humor, normalizing, demonstrating cultural and gender sensitivity, and therapeutic compliments. Mark Twain once said, 'Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.' Humor can help generate a relaxed atmosphere, influence the client from his or her concerns, and heal those in pain. Madanes (1984) contend that what makes change possible is the therapist's ability to be confident and to see what is funny or desirable in a dire situation'. Laughter releases hormones from the

Norman Cousins said, “Laughter is a powerful way to tap positive emotions" (Moss 1). Humor is studied by many researchers in sociology, psychology, art, literature, and medicine. When people wonder whether humor aids in areas other than health, a treasure trove of possible benefits to the learning or educational community is opened up. Humor can be used as a tool to promote learning.Research speaks to the many benefits of humor in healing, to its benefits in the classroom or boardroom, from reducing stress of students or employees, to boosting self-esteem and feelings of camaraderie. Additionally, studies show that those who use humor to convey a message are often more favorably perceived. Humor helps deliver the presenter's message to

“Humour is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement.” The term Humour has been derived from the Greek language, which teaches that humour is the balance of fluids in the human body. Humour is savoured by different taste-buds like: Anecdotal, Blue, Dark/Gallows/Morbid, Epigrammatic, Hyperbolic, Ironic, Satirical, Satirical, Situational and Slapstick. Franz Kafka, the author of the outright existential classic ‘The Metamorphosis’ uses depressing humour to deal with the bitter deathly truths of life.

Throughout time, humorists have been able to pull off a phenomenon, which allows for others to laugh about sensitive, stressful topics. With talent, humorists are able to captivate positive emotion from their audience and allow for society to see delicate issues in an unbiased view. Although humorists are commonly seen as people who only intend to entertain, humorists purposefully say things through their work that allow for hard issues to be spoken or illustrated.

Mairs describes the uncertainty of an incorrect diagnosis of a brain tumor, followed by a correct diagnosis of multiple sclerosis a year and a half later. She tells of the physical changes that came on slowly, and how they led to forced changes in her routines and ultimately her way of thinking. Yet through these hardships a sense of humor is persistent in her writing. She tells of an afternoon out with a friend in which she trips and falls, flat and hard, onto the asphalt, interrupting her friend’s story in mid-sentence. This may not be something most people would find entertaining, but Mairs does, citing that humor is important in any life threatening illness.

People always say that laughter alleviates tension. If this is the case, then it makes sense that the use of humor when discussing uncomfortable topics can make the conversation easier and more light-hearted. One of Mark Twain’s most frequently used devices in works such as “Advice to Youth”, “To the Person Sitting in Darkness”, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is satire, which can provide society a method to bond over uncomfortable topics, and facilitate the ability to sustain that bond through an easier way to create discussion.

Humor’s foundations are made up of seeds of truth, from which comedy and laughter can grow from. Within these seeds different types of issues are found that cast a wide array of topics in which are discussed or given question to by humorists. As the evolution of humor continues to grow it can be seen that it will continue down a darker road, as history has

Humor is viewed by some people as an important part of life. Most people enjoy amusement, and some turn to humorists as a source for that amusement. Some further view humorists as holding an important position in society because society allows humorists to say things that others can and will not say. Due to their unique position in society, humorists serve a role that is certainly unique and can be important, but not vital. Furthermore, humor can very well have a dangerous side, whether intentional or unintentional, so humorists should try to be careful with their powerful position.

Joking or humor can serve many different functions throughout society, across many different cultures, religious beliefs, and political backgrounds. In a medical light, humor can aid in rehabilitation and overcoming traumatic injuries. In Native American culture there is a deep history of humor in both social and religious spectrums. Humor can serve as many social and religious functions, especially in a historical context for Native American culture. There is an importance of teasing within Native American families, categorized by common gentle teasing which serve as social function by warming family relationships without compromising respect or use of sternness from elders.

Humor is a very important tool that medical assistants use to help relieve an anxious patient. The way the medical assistant treats a patient affects the patient in every way. In some cases, a patient feels more comfortable talking to the

Humor and entertainment can be found in everyday life. It’s crucial to our lifestyles. In fact, many doctors have found that humor and entertainment is part of keeping ourselves healthy. It can be found if we are controlled by the government or if we are self-reliant. Being self-reliant is appropriate in most cases. You have to vote, you have to manage your own money and you have to make sure you are healthy. These are all examples of the appropriate time to be self-reliant.

As I approach the end of my novel, I can see how Joseph has changed during these past weeks. Before the sarcastic attitude and is rude comments was his immediate response to anything, now I can see that is reaction to other campers comments toward him are more kinder and moral. In the past, offers of help and assistance were ignored and answered with sardonic utterances often insults. On page 133 Kevin said “Yeah, you know, stay close in case you need me need,” and Joseph rudely responded “I don't need you for anything!” “I didn't mean... I just thought” “You thought wrong. You can go up the tower. I'll follow, if I want to.” This was rude and unkind of Joseph, but on page 204 Kevin ask Joseph if he needs assistance and Joseph responded with

Jokes that rely on the incongruity theory of humor are funny. The incongruity-resolution theory of humor states that surprising ideas make us laugh. Specifically, when two totally different things, ideas, images, or concepts juxtapose one another, people quite often find them to be humorous, witty, or clever. The element that makes these kinds of jokes funny is the act of realizing that the ideas of the jokes run against what the listener/reader was expecting. For instance, in the fish joke mentioned above, the word “tank” has more than one meaning. At first, that specific joke leads one to think of a fish tank aquarium. However, after a quick pause, one soon realizes the joke is referring to an army tank. This is surprising and that feeling

As humans, laughing and joking is something that comes natural. This is something that we have been doing even before we knew how to walk or talk. As we start to grow up, we all develop personality traits and our humor styles follow. Before taking this course, I have never consider identifying what my humor styles are until now. I took the Humor Style Questionnaire (Martin et al. 2003) and calculated that my top humor style is self-enhancing and closely following is affiliative. Throughout this paper I am going to reflect on my top humor styles with personal examples, and how it relates to my mental health, with several methods I can use to make myself healthier and happier. I will also be considering the other two styles and how then do not relate to my humor style and mental health.

I was the “funny guy” in my clique of high school friends. Ever since I learned to read English, I enjoyed reading and collecting joke books. I exhausted every single joke book from the small community library in town. Riddles, jokes about animals and wildlife, reasons why I didn’t do my homework, lawyer jokes, and later on, ethnic jokes. I knew they were funny, but I wanted more. Perhaps it was my lack of physical achievements that made me obsess with a need to entertain my peers.