Why do some people laugh at certain things that others might not think is funny? I think if you're more intelligent than another, you'll be less likely to laugh at something so "obvious"...
Why do you think people laugh at different jokes or situations?
2007-12-14 15:02:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I really do believe that people who laugh at things that are simplistic and obvious have a lower intelligence. However, I believe you can have the capacity to view all things as humorous and still be intelligent. Sometimes it isn't the joke, but the situation or delivery. I tend to like sarcasm and quirky humor.
2007-12-14 15:14:46 · answer #1 · answered by Mushaw! 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't think there's much relation between a person's sense of humor and is/her intelligence.
I always thought of my mom as being a decently intelligent person. She reads mystery novels, keeps up with the news,, etc. But its almost impossible to make her laugh. She hears most jokes and she just gets a look on her face like she's in pain, or constipated or something.
Meanwhile, I have known a lot of smart, smart people who think that "The Three Stooges" are hilarious. And that's not exactly high literature, is it?
I think you can tell more about a person's SOUL by what they think is funny.
Do they laugh at others' expense? Do they laugh at cruelty or others being mistreated? Hmmmm...
2007-12-14 15:15:21 · answer #2 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each of us laughs for different reasons in different situations. Some things that aren't funny at all strike some ignorant and/or cruel individuals as humorous. After all, some Nazi's laughed as they humiliated and tortured Jews. There are old newspaper photographs as proof of this, just as there are old photographs of white men laughing as they gather around the body of a lynched black man.
Whether our laughter is related to our intelligence is debatable. It could possibly be more related to our empathy. If we see someone trip and fall how do we react? If a compact car is totalled on the freeway, most of us feel compassion. If a luxury car is totalled, some people's first reaction is self-satisfied glee. It's frightening really.
Your question is interesting. It will bring some responses all too typical and familiar to Y!A members. We've all noticed the answers of more than a few immature clods who make fun of others who post here because they are protected by anonymity.
Let's see how this thread goes.
2007-12-14 15:32:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I think that's just garbage presumptions. I could basically laugh if I find it funny as joke be it sexist, racial, stereotypes or about religion. The only time I wouldn't laugh is when the joke is intended to target a victim who has done no wrong to me. Thinking like that will get someone nowhere closer into knowing how another person thinks. That kind of ability lies in if one can put himself or herself in another's shoes if they were that person.
Jokes are jokes - and if it doesn't say anything bad about you personally - unless it was intentionally targeting you via implied subtle words -then don't get pissed.
2007-12-14 15:28:20 · answer #4 · answered by cyberfiendkil 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some things seem to be to clever for the masses. My opinion is some like slapstick and fart jokes. Nothing wrong with that. Others prefer Jon Stewart and South Park. The latter being a little more intellectually stimulating.
2007-12-14 15:14:48 · answer #5 · answered by Wounded Duck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always heard that you have to be intelligent to find humor in situations. Maybe to an extent that is true. I have a higher than average IQ, yet I am still amused by "Dumb and Dumber." I think people are amused by what they find ridiculous, whatever their intelligent quotient might be.
2007-12-14 15:15:14 · answer #6 · answered by Kate J 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No not at all, i have a mate who is extremely intelligent but he laughs whenever i fart. Case closed.
2007-12-15 06:08:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
your IQ level has nothing to do with the things you laugh about. there are no studies to prove if a relationship existed between the two.
2007-12-14 16:13:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Laughing is not an indicator of intelligence....has more to do with personality.
2007-12-14 15:12:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
It could be from the experiences the person has had in their life.
2007-12-14 15:08:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋