From the course: Humor in the Workplace
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Psychoanalysis
- The fourth and final theory we're going to look at is Psychoanalytical. This theory holds that humor is one of the ways we can express socially unacceptable ideas in socially accepted ways. We can acknowledge or give voice to taboos and other thoughts and feelings we have that make us or other people uncomfortable. We can mask our embarrassment by laughing at double entendres, which are words that can be understood in either of two ways. Often, one of these two meanings can bring up ideas that would be socially awkward, suggestive, or offensive to state directly. Humor also helps express anger or frustration in an attempt to be safe from retribution. In telling or listening to a joke that puts down an individual or group we dislike, we are able to vent the hostility we'd usually repress. But your audience may not share your perspective. Saying, "I was just kidding," doesn't mean, "I didn't mean what I said." Remember, humor can be very risky. Intention does not necessarily equal…
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