The Psychology of Comedy

by G Neil Martin

Overview

What makes us laugh? Why is comedy so important? How does comedy affect our behaviour?

The Psychology of Comedy provides a unique insight into the role of laughter and humour in our lives. From the mechanics of comedy and what makes a good joke, to the health benefits of laughter, the book delves into different types of comedy, from slapstick to complex puns, and the physiological response it provokes. The dark side of comedy is also considered, confronting the idea that what is funny to some can be offensive to others, making this universal experience also highly subjective.

In a time when comedy continues to be one of the most popular and enduring forms of art, The Psychology of Comedy reminds us that laughter really is good for the soul.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367366094
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/18/2021
Series:	The Psychology of Everything
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x (d)

About the Author

G Neil Martin is Honorary Professor of Psychology at Regent's University of London, a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, former books editor of Deadpan magazine and editorial board member of the Annals of Improbable Research.

Table of Contents

Preface (the warm-up) xi

1 An introduction to the psychology of comedy 1

2 Theories of comedy and laughter 35

3 Individual differences in humour: sex, personality, intelligence and culture 47

4 Comedians and their personalities 69

5 The uses of comedy I: health and therapy 83

6 The uses of comedy II: learning, marketing and advertising 113

7 Funny bones (and brain and body) 125

Curtain falls - get off the stage 139

References 141

Index 167

Editorial Reviews

"Analysing comedy is like herding bubbles but this book is both a detailed study of the art of making people laugh and an entertainment in itself, and Neil Martin is an excellent bubble herder." - David Quantick, Emmy-winning writer of Veep; TV Burp, Brass Eye, The Thick Of It, On The Hour

"Brilliant. The perfect guide to what’s going on in our heads while our faces are busy laughing"- Joel Morris, writer, the Ladybird book parodies, Viz, Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe, Paddington, Philomena Cunk

"A fun and informative romp that will put a smile on your face"- Professor Richard Wiseman, Professor of Psychology and creator of The Laugh Lab

"I have often found that the secret to comedy lies in the unexpected. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a psychology book but I really enjoyed this one."- Phil Hughes, writer, Thunderpants, I Love Candy

"Many people don't realize how important comedy is across so many facets of our life. This is an entertaining and thorough compilation of everything and did and didn't want to know about comedy." - Kasha Patel, stand-up comedian and science writer for NASA.

"Analysing comedy is like herding bubbles but this book is both a detailed study of the art of making people laugh and an entertainment in itself, and Neil Martin is an excellent bubble herder." - David Quantick, Emmy-winning writer of Veep; TV Burp, Brass Eye, The Thick Of It, On The Hour

"Brilliant. The perfect guide to what’s going on in our heads while our faces are busy laughing"- Joel Morris, writer, the Ladybird book parodies, Viz, Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe, Paddington, Philomena Cunk

"A fun and informative romp that will put a smile on your face"- Professor Richard Wiseman, Professor of Psychology and creator of The Laugh Lab

"I have often found that the secret to comedy lies in the unexpected. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a psychology book but I really enjoyed this one."- Phil Hughes, writer, Thunderpants, I Love Candy

"Many people don't realize how important comedy is across so many facets of our life. This is an entertaining and thorough compilation of everything and did and didn't want to know about comedy." - Kasha Patel, stand-up comedian and science writer for NASA.

From the Publisher