Sociology of Humor Essay Example for Free

Sociology of gratify EssayHumor is an important part of everyday interaction. It serves mainly as a social lubri passelt that creates a hoy atmosphere amid a speaker and an audience. Provided that it is not provoke offensive behavior, indulge can be used as a first step towards building individual relationships. A more relaxed aura between people, in turn, is conducive to friendliness.In the sociological context, however, humor has more important functions. It allows people to record their innermost feelings and opinions without offending a condition experimental condition quo. In addition, it operates as a coping instrument by paving the way for the normalization of crises. Lastly, it is a means of transmitting group culture to innovative members (Drew, Mills and Gassaway, 2007).Whats So Funny? The Foundation and Dynamics of HumorHumor is the result of (the vari qualifiedness between) the conventional and the unconventional (Macionis and Gerber, 2008). A joke is regar ded as funny when its reinterpretation of a protagonist or an matter sharply contrasts those of preexisting concepts and schemata (Kubovy, 2003). But the teller of the expire must be able to specifically percentage point out this discrimination at the proper time (Macionis and Gerber, 2008). Otherwise, the yarn might not be able to fulfill its objective of generating humor.The listener, meanwhile, must be able to identify and examine the conflicting elucidations of a stooln reality in the joke that is being told to him or her. Reconciling these opposing interpretations is the only way he or she can understand the gag. Comprehending the yarn, in turn, satisfies the listener in the whizz that he or she receives an insider status (Macionis and Gerber, 2008). He or she establishes rapport with both the teller of the joke and all the other people who understand it as well.It must be noted, however, that a funny joke is entirely different from a abase wiz. Humiliating jokes in ge neral atomic number 18 thinly disguised statements of intolerance against other races, ethic backgrounds, religions, the other gender and or individuals of different sexual orientations (Voors, 2000). These gags convey their message of hatred usually by perpetuating prohibit stereotypes about parties that are deemed to be different. Below are some examples of demeaning jokesa. Question What is the difference between a Jew and a meat pie?Answer A meat pie does not scream when it is put in the oven.b. Question Why is a womans pussy like a warm derriere seat?Answer They both feel good, but you wonder who was there before you.c. Question What is the difference between a Catholic priest and acne?Answer Acne does not come on a sons face until he is 12 years old.The Functions of HumorIt would be fair to say that humor operates as a natural rubberty valve in human interactions (Macionis and Gerber, 2008). Even the most taboo subjects become discussable when jokes are made about them. I ts desensitizing ability similarly allows humor to become a non-threatening means of intellectual the culture of a given society. Gags, after all, can express sentiments that might be riskous to relationships deep down a certain society when discussed seriously.Satire Humor as a Cynical Commentary on SocietySatire is one of the most popular forms of humor. Its fame stems largely from the fact that it can ridicule the cruelest tyrants without the danger of retaliation. The Zairians, for instance, came up with the pastime joke to criticize the incompetent, corrupt and repressive regime of their former leader Mobutu Sese Seko see yourself a leopard hat like the late Zairian President Mobutu wore, as Africans mean that their leaders are groundless lions, tigers or leopards. (p. 29)By turning social issues such as political scandals and state repression of mass media into objects of comedy, the sarcastic pun also succeeds in convincing apolitical groups to ponder about the real s tate of their nation. Indeed, in the context of satire, euphemism and laughter are the most effective means of unveiling inconvenient truths. People, after all, leave not react negatively to a joke unless they have something to hide.Dont Worry, Be quickHumor is likewise an effective method of stabilizing predicaments. Jokes that focus on particular professions validate this observation. The gag below pokes fun at how legality enforcers deal with hardened criminalsA local policeman had entirely finished his shift one cold November evening and was at home with his wife.You just now wont believe what happened this evening, in all my years on the force Ive never seen anything like it.Oh yes dear, what happened?I came across deuce guys down by the canal, one of them was drinking bombardment acid and the other was eating fireworks.Drinking battery acid and eating fireworks What did you do with them?Oh that was easy, I charged one and let the other off. (n. pag.)It is very demonstra ble that being a cop is a very dangerous job. Most criminals that cops come across with go forth not hesitate to use violence just to be able to escape arrest. Getting injure or killed in the line of duty is already a fact of life for a law enforcer.Humor, therefore, allows cops to share common experiences and raise job-related concerns that might not be expressed properly in a more somber setting. In the process, group solidarity is promoted they are able to share a communal relationship by express joy at each other without malice. Furthermore, they get the assurance that they are not alone in their work-related dilemmas (Drew, Mills and Gassaway, 2007).A Funny WelcomeJokes that tackle the norms of a society can genuinely provide valuable insights on its culture. Norms, after all, reflect what a community considers to be right and wrong. Readers can learn a thing or two about Russian norms and culture in the following jokeThe math teacher calls Petya up to the blackboard.Imagi ne that your father has borrowed a hundred rubles from a neighbor, says the teacher, and has promised to give the money back in two weeks. The first week he gives back forty rubles. How lots would he give back the second week?None at all, replies Petya.What do you mean, none at all? the teacher asks, surprised. You werent listening properly. Let me repeat imagine that your father has borrowed a hundred rubles and promised to honour the money in two weeks. The first week he gives back forty rubles. How much would he give back the second week?None at all repeats Petya.Oh, Petya, the teacher is annoyed. You dont know the simplest arithmeticalAnd you dont know my father (n. pag.)This gag reveals the communal nature of Russian culture. Centuries of agricultural village life and decades of communistic rule instilled in Russians the collective mentality. They are therefore bound by tradition to help one another without expecting anything in return. In Russian culture, in fact, being aske d by someone to do a favor for him or her is an indicator that you have a close relationship with him or her. For the Russians, being asked to do a favor for others is a sign of dependability and trustworthiness (Kwintessential, n.d.).ConclusionHumor is more than just a social lubricant that creates a lighter atmosphere between a speaker and an audience. It likewise serves as a venue for people to discuss important concerns in a non-threatening manner. By laughing at each other and at their problems without ill intent, they are able to instill among themselves a sense of unity. Even by just making fun of their predicaments, they are already exerting a collective ride to do something about these.But while laughing at grave matters is good, it is still much go to actually solve them. After the amusement has died down, the hungry still has to be fed, the sick still has to be treated and the criminals have to be made to face their crimes. When people live in a safe and just society, t hey are happy because really feel so and not because they just want to poke out away from their problems. In the process, their laughter would be merrier and more genuine.