Imagination and humor

Imagination plays a role in incongruity. It helps children to play social roles that they usually wouldn't. Imagination begins to appear in children around 12-18 months, corresponding with the time children start to repeat parent's jokes.

Children start to produce their own jokes around two years of age, with jokes being object-based, such as putting underwear on the head. They often draw inspiration from what they are learning about. This helps them process social rules.