The Psychology of Comedy The Psychology of Everything Series

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.

CHAPTER 1

An Introduction to the Psychology of Comedy

CHAPTER 2

Theories of comedy and laughter

CHAPTER 3

Individual differences in humour-sex, personality, culture and intelligence

CHAPTER 4

Comedians and their personalities

CHAPTER 5

The uses of comedy i: health and therapy

CHAPTER 6

The uses of comedy ii: learning, marketing and advertising

CHAPTER 7

Funny bones? The physiology and neurology of comedy

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.