Humor drawings evoked temporal and spectral EEG processes

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the humor processing elicited through the manipulation of artistic drawings. Using the Comprehension–Elaboration Theory of humor as the main research background, the experiment manipulated the head portraits of celebrities based on the independent variables of facial deformation (large/small) and addition of affective features (positive/negative). A 64-channel electroencephalography was recorded in 30 participants while viewing the incongruous drawings of celebrities. The electroencephalography temporal and spectral responses were measured during the three stages of humor which included incongruity detection, incongruity comprehension and elaboration of humor. Analysis of event-related potentials indicated that for humorous vs non-humorous drawings, facial deformation and the addition of affective features significantly affected the degree of humor elicited, specifically: large > small deformation; negative > positive affective features. The N170, N270, N400, N600-800 and N900-1200 components showed significant differences, particularly in the right prefrontal and frontal regions. Analysis of event-related spectral perturbation showed significant differences in the theta band evoked in the anterior cingulate cortex, parietal region and posterior cingulate cortex; and in the alpha and beta bands in the motor areas. These regions are involved in emotional processing, memory retrieval, and laughter and feelings of amusement induced by elaboration of the situation.

The influence of semantic relevance on the discernment of product appearance and function

“…Therefore, the N600 component was selected and the time window was averaged at this interval (yellow area) after target onset. This section was based on recommendations made in previous N600 research [ 17 , 19 , 22 ]. However, there is no obvious 400 waveform over the 300–500 ms time period after stimulus onset.…”

“…Many studies have shown that the N600 is triggered by practical experience and logical thinking or comprehension of the rules as well as inconsistent stimuli such as those provided by humor and entertainment [15,17]. Therefore, the N600 is often triggered in the detection of humor or jokes, mainly in the observation of N270, N400, N600-800, and even 1500 ms slow waves [14,[17][18][19].…”

“…Coulson and Kutas [ 22 ] indicated that inconsistent stimuli prompted two phases: an early phase where inconsistent stimuli prompted the N400 detection phase, and a later phase where the comprehension of inconsistent stimuli triggered 500–900 ms slow waves. Wang et al [ 19 ], in their study of paintings showing facial humor, found that facial deformation evoked significant differences in the N270, N400, and N600-800 bands, and were indeed related to cognitive dissonance theory.…”

Pragmatics Electrified

“…One single study focused on verbal materials and observed a power decrease in the beta range of the EEG [88]. When processing visual stimuli, the involvement of several frequency ranges [91] or a specific role for alpha oscillations and creative cognition in humor [92] was found.…”

Temporal and electroencephalography dynamics of surreal marketing

“…Many other neuroscientific studies in relevant art fields have revealed that the cognitive conflict and memories inspired by surreal images produce relatively stronger theta activity in the center of the frontal lobe ( Ruzzoli et al, 2020 ). Humorous drawings elicit theta activity in the parietal lobe and posterior cingulate cortex ( Wang et al, 2017 ). Compared with non-award-winning advertisements, it has been found that award-winning advertisements that combine artistic aesthetics with marketing elicit greater theta and alpha activity in the right frontotemporal regions ( Wang et al, 2018b ).…”