Disparagement humor: Could laughter dissolve hostility?

Disparagement humor refers to communication that derogates or denigrates a certain target but elicits amusement. Blending two contradictory elements in terms of social approvability, the paradox disparagement has sparked three major questions: how does amusement arise from disparagement? What determines whether an attempt at is perceived be funny offensive? are unique aftereffects this fusion? Four theoretical frameworks have been proposed understand psychological mechanism humor. From psychoanalytic perspective, relief theory suggests entertainment comes catharsis hostility. intergroup superiority feeling generated by others leads humorous experiences. cognitive incongruity-resolution derives resolution incongruencies. Additionally, provide more accurate and universal explanation for than theory, benign violation appraising something as both benign. Among theories, former address motivational factors underlying humor, while latter models explain all including Thus, cognition model later article could effectively depict integrated picture However, people do not necessarily find funny; sometimes it offensive. Factors influencing reception include group identities attitudes, distance between recipient object derogation, personal cultural differences. The effects derogatory comments usually opposite, fusion can produce outcomes. First, serve prejudice releaser creating norm allows expression prejudice, which normally forbidden modern society. In addition, use reinforce hierarchies functioning legitimizing myth justifies expressions dominance motivations. Conversely, when used disadvantaged subvert inequitable hierarchy, strategy covering insubordinate message with may encourage subversion thus promote equity. Finally, impacts on interpersonal interactions inconsistent due After reviewing relevant theories studies, we propose process disparagement. takes its fundamental framework, dividing completion into parts: first, expresser delivers disparagement; second, audience evaluates benign; third, sense produced. also integrates perspectives addressing delivery evaluation process. displays retroaction humor’s combining prejudice-releaser legitimizing-myth role As depicts comprehensive captures dynamism hopefully scaffold future research. It important research explore negative Moreover, potentially positive relations justice groups fight injustice merit investigation. rewarding study distinctiveness aspects Chinese culture, such essential foreignness prosperous localization, commercialization trend jokes, specifically content conveyed popularized