The Relief Theory
The perception of humor is directly related to the release of built up tension. We are set up through tension to get to a release point of humor. And that release has been shown to actually be good for our health.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
It suggest that our humor is derived from the misfortune of others, which makes us feel superior.
That explains for example why a lot of us find it funny when people fall down.Â
We find humor when something happens that doesn't fit with what we expected to happen. It's about the unexpected.
Humor, just like the joy of always learning new things, works by leading us one way and then suddenly shifting our perceptions.
Shock and surprise are needed for that turn, but there must be a destination too.Â
It says that humor comes from a few necessary conditions:
- There needs to be a norm violation (moral norm, a social norm, or a physical norm).
- There needs to be a safe context where the violation takes place. That gives us permission to laugh.
RELATED IDEAS
- Humor, in a way, protects us from life's grim reality. We joke because if we didn't, we'd cry.
- Humor and laughing are also a social vocalization that includes some and excludes others. Jokes establish who is inside the group and who is not. We laugh with people to belong, and at others to exclude.
- In our current crises, humor is everywhere because fear is too. Laughter binds us together against a common enemy.
- Humorous information receives increased attention during the perception stage.
- Improved encoding. Our brain gives preferential treatment to humorous information when it comes to storing it in our memory.
- The use of humor serves as a distraction from negative emotions, such as anger or anxiety, that people might experience when processing certain information.
- Reading or viewing something humorous has a positive and energizing effect.
- Adding humor to the information that you are presenting can make it more interesting to others.
1. Choosing quality over quantity. Weed out possessions, people, or thoughts that don’t serve you and focus on what adds value to your life.Â
2. Being responsible (financially and otherwise) so you have the freedom and fluidity to live to your values and remove yourself from unhealthy situations.
3. Being curious about every opportunity offered to you.
4. Discipline. It’s simple and hard at the same time, but so worth it.
5. Having nothing to lose.