Humor and Comedy
Through most of the twentieth century, psychologists were the preeminent theorists of humor. Since the late twentieth century, linguists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists have also addressed the subject. This chapter presents classic theories of humor—relief/arousal, superiority/disparagement, and incongruity theories, including recent neuroimaging research—followed by an overview of linguistic and semantic theories. The field of computational humor is described, including humor during human–artificial intelligence interaction. The uses and effects of humor are summarized in the areas of education, advertising, and health. Although humor and laughter may not always improve learning, persuasion, or physical health they can enhance the credibility of the communicator and improve the quality of life.