From the Publisher
The Psychology of Humor and Wit--From Banana Peels to Viagra Jokes by Donald M. Johnson is a new book about humor and what makes funny things funny. They say laughter relieves stress, makes you smarter, helps you live longer, and cures the common cold. But what are you laughing at--and why? Much goes into the business of being funny, and The Psychology of Humor and Wit covers the ground well.
Author Donald M. Johnson looks at humor from many sides: psychological, physiological, intellectual, and artistic. He looks at the theory behind several varieties of humor, including exaggeration and minimization, parody and caricature, anachronism, and talking animals, to discover what makes us laugh.
He also lexplains the social functions of humor and wit, showing not only how they help us grow as individuals and bond together as societies, but also how a little bit of humor helps grease the wheels of politics and diplomacy--and even medicine.
The Psychology of Humor and Wit is a serious book about the study of humor, and it also includes much entertainment along the way. There are jokes ranging from the very simple to the sophisticated, from old chestnuts to contemporary and fresh bon mot as well as several cartoons, including many of which originally appeared in The New Yorker.
