Humor, Its Origin and Development [Paperback]

Paul E. McGhee (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: W H Freeman & Co (Sd) (January 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071671096X
• ISBN-13: 978-0716710967
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humor: Its Origin and Development, August 7, 2007

By 

cortezhill - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Humor, Its Origin and Development (Paperback)

Humor: Its Origin and Development brings together current research on the development of humor and offers some new ideas on it's evolutionary origins. [circa 1980] Focusing on the various influences on children's humor, Paul E, McGhee shows that a child learns to create and appreciate humor as he or she develops certain cognitive skills. McGhee also discusses humor as useful clinical tool and as a therapeutic way for us to cope with our problems. Tracing its evolution in the human species as well as its growth in the individual, the book treats humor as a unique form of play with symbols, ideas, and images, perhaps not beyond the capacity of animals, such as the now-famous apes who communicate - and make "jokes" - with sign language.

Anyone interested in humor will find this book informative and intriguing. Humor: Its Origin and Development requires no specialized background or knowledge and makes an excellent text or supplement for courses in psychology, family development, sociology, and literature.
--- from book's back cover