What’s so funny?
Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you can spot the word “funny”.
Neuroscientists have been trying to answer that question for years. A number of studies have found an association between humour and intelligence – for instance, researchers in Austria discovered that funny people, especially those who enjoy dark humour, have higher intelligence quotients (IQs) than their peers. The January 2017 study, which was published in the Germany-based journal Cognitive Processing, found that it takes both cognitive and emotional ability to be humorous, so funny people have higher verbal and non-verbal intelligence.
The question of "why" some people find certain topics amusing, while others don’t, is harder to answer. It’s why there is a growing body of humour theories, formulated by thinkers from ancient Greece to today, as they try to decipher what makes people laugh. Here are three of them:
Superiority theory
Perhaps the oldest of all humour theories, ancient Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato suggested that all humour is derived from the misfortune of others. The situation turns humorous when there’s a sudden realisation of how much better we are than our direct competition. In such situations, usually, someone is the butt of the joke in the scenario.
Relief theory
This theory comes from Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud’s assertion that laughter lets us relieve tension and “psychic energy”. Relief theorists believe that the build-up of tension is part of all humorous situations and the amusement occurs when the tension is finally released. Comedians use this idea when tackling tense or controversial topics, like interracial relationships.
Incongruity theory
This theory suggests that we find fundamentally incompatible concepts or unexpected resolutions funny – it’s the crossover between our expectations and reality that makes us laugh. Written jokes that involve double meanings, and puns, often use this concept.
What makes you laugh hardest? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.