What factors shape a persons sense of humor?

Question

Does heredity play a role and to what extent if any, can your sense of humor be changed by conscious effort?

Answer 1

Absolutely, my family and I have a certain sense of humor characterized by wit and word play. I expect it was from my family's above average intelligence. Certain families are just more literate than others and there are certainly more snobby families than mine who have their own sense of humor. Rememeber "Trading Places" with Eddie Murphy? Hopefully, not that bad.. but the rich and "sophisticated" have their own brand. I wouldn't know. But I suspect educated families laugh at jokes others would not. I know, I taught and many jokes went over the kids' heads cuz they didn't know WTH was going on? A joke about the TV show "Trading Rubble" instead of "Trading Spaces" did not work until I had to teach them what the word "rubble" meant.... yeah, they are that bad.

Answer 2

That is a tough question especially these days when people get offended by just about everything. I can remember when almost every joke began with "Did you hear about the..." followed by Irish cop or priest, farmers daughter, traveling salesman, Black man or woman, woman, Jew, Catholic nun, cowboy or Indian, Pole, and so on. They were not mean spirited and most people didn't intend any insult to anyone and they were funny. They were not taken seriously no one really thought all Irish were either cops or priests or all farmers daughters were promiscuous, or all Poles were dimwitted etc. Today getting a sense of humor is harder since most of the world is losing theirs. Different people do find different things humorous but how that happens would be a real achievement for someone to discover.

Answer 3

I suppose it could be hereditary, but I also think that you could learn it from your family. If your father or mother tended to be funny, you might look at things similarly and be funny yourself. Some people are very good at seeing the humor in situations and are open to sharing their thoughts. They are then seen as a person with a sense of humor.

Answer 4

Well, i would say..if u have happy disposition in life....sense of humor comes naturally within in you....it's not inherited....but influenced by environmental factors....the family.....who played the major part of shaping values & philosophy in life.....

It depends on individuals in hw he responds life.....Its a matter of how a person view life..when "storms" comes in, he can still smile to people..and choose to live despite everything......that's sense of humor.....

Answer 5

id say heredity yea.
but im not sure that conscious effort can be ignored as a factor, so you were right all along.

Answer 6

i believe so if you are surrounded by funny people and are secure in your life you most likely will have a pretty good sense of humor

Answer 7

i really don't know.... the way they move sometimes, or even the way they hold themselves, sometimes its an attitude thing, i just know sometimes i look at a guy and its like wow, i mean yea good looking plays into it i guess but i see alot of good looking people that don't exude that same sexy thing

Answer 8

ok many people think it is born into u.
others think that your childhood and the people u r around. where u live and what u do.
people will debate wich forever like tomatoes fruit or vegi,.... hope it helps!

Answer 9

I would probably say how you were brought up and the experiences you have throughout life.

Answer 10

hereidty