Neurolinguistics of Humor

Chen, Hsueh-Chih; Chan, Yu-Chang; Dai, Ru-Huei; Liao, Yijun; Tu, Cheng-Hao

doi:10.4324/9781315731162-20

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Originating from incongruity resolution theory and comprehension-elaboration theory, this perspective has been verified by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies (Chan et al, 2012 , 2013 ; Shibata et al, 2014 ). Among these studies, Chan et al (2013) and Chen et al (2017) proposed the Three-stage Model of Humor Processing based on the course of humor processing in incongruity resolution theory. Chan et al ( 2012 , 2013 ) used five stimuli, including incongruity-resolution jokes, unfunny, garden-path, nonsense, and nonsensical sentences, and identified three stages of humor processing by comparing the imaging data of two of them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To Resolve or Not To Resolve, that Is the Question: The Dual-Path Model of Incongruity Resolution and Absurd Verbal Humor by fMRI

et al. 2017

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It is well accepted that the humor comprehension processing involves incongruity detection and resolution and then induces a feeling of amusement. However, this three-stage model of humor processing does not apply to absurd humor (so-called nonsense humor). Absurd humor contains an unresolvable incongruity but can still induce a feeling of mirth. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify the neural mechanisms of absurd humor. Specifically, we aimed to investigate the neural substrates associated with the complete resolution of incongruity resolution humor and partial resolution of absurd humor. Based on the fMRI data, we propose a dual-path model of incongruity resolution and absurd verbal humor. According to this model, the detection and resolution for the incongruity of incongruity resolution humor activate brain regions involved in the temporo-parietal lobe (TPJ) implicated in the integration of multiple information and precuneus, likely to be involved in the ability of perspective taking. The appreciation of incongruity resolution humor activates regions the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), implicated in autobiographic or event memory retrieval, and parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), implying the funny feeling. By contrast, the partial resolution of absurd humor elicits greater activation in the fusiform gyrus which have been implicated in word processing, inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) for the process of incongruity resolution and superior temporal gyrus (STG) for the pragmatic awareness.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To Resolve or Not To Resolve, that Is the Question: The Dual-Path Model of Incongruity Resolution and Absurd Verbal Humor by fMRI

et al. 2017

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“…And so various experiential states will be classified as "anger" not because they share any sort of deep phenomenological similarity or mechanistic underpinning, but because the way in which we've been taught to apply the "anger" concept directly influences how we make sense of our own experiences. The illusion that we can all  E. g., Adamczyk et al 2017;Bambini et al 2020;Bischetti et al 2019;Mobbs et al 2003;Rozengurt 2011;Samson 2013;Samson and Hegenloh 2010;Chen et al 2017. easily recognize anger when we experience it comes from the fact that our experiences are structured by, and filtered through, our emotion concepts. Thus, we force our experiences to fit into the categories we provide, instead of recognizing some fundamental similarity between different experiential states.…”

Section: What's So Funny About Studying Humormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is not to say that such correlational data is not relevant or important. Only that we must be extremely cautious about what can, and about what cannot, be inferred from such information  For examples of just such studies, see Derks et al 1997;Ozawa et al 2000;Coulson and Kutas 2001;Iwase et al 2002;Mobbs 2003;Moran et al 2004;Watson, Matthews and Allman 2007;McGettigan et al 2015;Chen et al 2017;Chan et al 2018;Hofmann and Rodden 2019. alone. And the temptation to infer more than is warranted from these studies has been a serious obstacle to progress.…”

Section: What's So Funny About Studying Humormentioning

confidence: 99%

When No Laughing Matter Is No Laughing Matter: The Challenges in Developing a Cognitive Theory of Humor

Hochstein

2021

The Philosophy of Humor Yearbook

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This paper explores the current obstacles that a cognitive theory of humor faces. More specifically, I argue that the nebulous and ill-defined nature of humor makes it difficult to tell what counts as clear instances of, and deficits in, the phenomenon.Without getting clear on this, we cannot identify the underlying cognitive mechanisms responsible for humor. Moreover, being too quick to draw generalizations regarding the ubiquity of humor, or its uniqueness to humans, without substantially clarifying the phenomenon and its occurrences is not only unwise but can actually be a detriment to our study of humor. As such, these sorts of claims must be resisted. I conclude the paper by pointing the way forward to addressing these obstacles.

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“…The use of humor is particularly well-suited to the presentation of sensitive, taboo, and potentially stress-inducing topics, such as sexually transmitted infection. This is because of humor's ability to reduce levels of fear and threat through a process of "emotional shifting from a neutral or negative emotional state to a positive one" (Chan, 2014, in Chen, Chan, Dai, Liao, & Tu, 2017Henley & Donovan, 1999). Furthermore, the use of humor has been shown to be an excellent device for mitigating potential embarrassment (Chapple & Ziebland, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Got a Spark with Brook? Engaging Consumers in a Sexual Health Campaign through the Use of Creative (Metaphorical) Double Entendres

Ford¹,

Littlemore²,

Houghton³

2021

Metaphor and Symbol

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This paper describes a study conducted in collaboration with a marketing agency and a nonprofit organization (NPO) providing regional sexual health services, which included advice on, and testing for, sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study investigated the relative effectiveness of different formulations of double entendres on appeal, humor, the likelihood of social media engagement, and intention to seek more information about STIs. Advertisements containing double entendres were significantly more appealing and humorous if: (1) the grammatical formulation did not cue the intended meaning; (2) the double entendre involved a creative metaphorical expression; and (3) the double entendre referred to the middle part of the sexual scenario, referring to action rather than intent or result. Participants' ratings varied very little according to their age, gender, and education. However, a qualitative investigation of the free-text responses revealed that there was some variation in the types of interpretations that were offered by participants depending on their age, gender, and education. The marketing agency incorporated our findings into their live campaign, which resulted in a notable increase in: (a) website traffic and social media engagement; (b) STI home-testing kits ordered; and (c) STI kits returned for testing, compared with previous campaigns.

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Neurolinguistics of Humor

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

To Resolve or Not To Resolve, that Is the Question: The Dual-Path Model of Incongruity Resolution and Absurd Verbal Humor by fMRI

To Resolve or Not To Resolve, that Is the Question: The Dual-Path Model of Incongruity Resolution and Absurd Verbal Humor by fMRI

When No Laughing Matter Is No Laughing Matter: The Challenges in Developing a Cognitive Theory of Humor

Got a Spark with Brook? Engaging Consumers in a Sexual Health Campaign through the Use of Creative (Metaphorical) Double Entendres

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