Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Theories of humour are traditionally divided
into two classes: superiority or relief theories,
and incongruity or ambiguity theories. As their
names imply, the former tend to ascribe amusement
primarily to a particular attitude of mind, while
the latter account for it by describing its objects
as having a particular quality.
Enjoyment as an attitude is always a response
to an object present to the mind or feelings. If,
then, enjoyment in amusement is identical with
feelings of superiority or relief, its objects
must always display characteristics of inferiority
or inhibition. But the enjoyment of humour seems
to be distinguishable from a reaction to particular
kinds of topic, and from any personal relation felt
between the subject and the objects of his amusement.
Incongruity theories do not explicitly ascribe
the enjoyment of humour to a particular range of
topics.
