Sarcasm...?

Question

What's the psychology behind sarcasm? Is it the result of repressed emotions, or insecurities?

Answer 1

Lack of patience.

Answer 2

Sarcasm to me has to areas - the first amidst people you know and whitty comments i.e.; sarcasm can be normally accepted. However, even amidst friends it can often be taken wrong and lead to all sorts of arguments etc., But usually the behaviour among friends becomes known and sarcasm can flow and be enjoyable to some degree.

When sarcasm is projected at a stranger or used in the wrong situation I often think jealousy and insecurities go hand in hand as the reason for it being used.

My opinion only..............

Answer 3

I think it depends on how your using it, and HOW MUCH you are using it.

for example:
*If you use it lightly, and smile after it's use..(it's obviously a way of joking around or teasing someone)

*if you are saying it to be mean, much like any other way of being mean, it could have many reasons behind it. (supressed anger etc)

*if sarcasm is used ALL the time, maybe that person is insecure and doesn't know how to handle situations appropriately, this would cause the use of sarcasm to be mis-used and immature.

Answer 4

I would say it is a defense mechanism due to insecurity. When a person is sarcastic, they are reacting to someone in a paranoid way. They think the other person is insulting their intelligence, does not care about them, etc. Either that or the person is judging the other person in a perfectionistic way, probably the same way they have been judged by others. Sarcasm is a way of defending against someone else, even if that person isn't really the one who hurt you and the hurt was just perceived.

Answer 5

I'd definitely say insecurities. It's easy to be sarcastic about people, it's just putting them down and thus making yourself out to be better than them. I think it's also an attempt to gain popularity- victimisation of one gives that person a stronger link with the others in the group through laughter.

People use it when they feel out of their comfort zone, even if they won't admit it, and to try and give themselves some self-confidence instead of being a nice person and gaining popularity and respect in that way.

Answer 6

As the vocal intonations used to express sarcasm are subtle, the use of sarcasm to express thoughts that are not obviously ironic may lead to confusion. This is especially true where there are differences in accent or experience with the language in use.

Thus, it is an art to be able to express it in it's proper form, and one must be witty enough to be able to identify and enjoy it.

We really shouldn't be so serious all the time.

Answer 7

In today's personality stakes, nothing is more highly valued than a sense of humor. We seek it out in others and are proud to claim it in ourselves, perhaps even more than good looks or intelligence. If someone has a great sense of humor, we reason, it means that they are happy, socially confident and have a healthy perspective on life.

Though humor is essentially social, how you use it says a lot about your sense of self. Those who use self-defeating humor, making fun of themselves for the enjoyment of others, tend to maintain that hostility toward themselves even when alone. Similarly, those who are able to view the world with amused tolerance are often equally forgiving of their own shortcomings.
hope this answers ur question.

www.psychologytoday.com

Answer 8

people say it's the lowest form of wit but i love it in the right context its fine no insecurities or repressed emotions from me either

Answer 9

I think the root is insecurity. Sarcastic jokes usually get laughs, and you're the center of attention and the life of the party. I believe sarcasm is a way to keep people from learning your true feelings. Someone famous said it's a sign of weakness, but I can't remember who. :(

Answer 10

I think it's a combination of frustration and impatience in some. Whether it be over someone's lack of knowledge or attitude towards a subject depends on the situation.

For example: You tell your daughter to bring an umbrella with her to work because it's going to rain. She doesn't pay attention. You remind her again that she has a long walk to her car. She says yea, ok. That evening she comes home drenched and fussy saying how she can't believe how much it rained. You say: "NOOO! It rained? If ONLY you had known!"

Answer 11

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When people are sarcastic they are
conveying

...They don't like or care about you or
your attitude, but say something in a
comically derogatory way instead.

...They think that the subject of a topic
or a conversation is ridiculous, but say something in a comically derogatory way instead.

Know someone is trying their level best to
convince you they butter their bread better,
or have superior utopian ideals, but
instead of telling them to stick it, yousay something in a comically derogatory way instead.

Realizing that a person is an amateur shrink,
amateur pill-pusher, or amateur scientist,
you don't read them the riot act but say something in a comically derogatory way instead.


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