The Joke And Its Relation To The Unconscious.

Sigmund Freud

Physical

In Circulation

Why do we laugh? The answer, argued Freud in this groundbreaking study of humor, is that jokes, like dreams, satisfy our unconscious desires. The Joke and Its Relation to the Unconscious explains how jokes provide immense pleasure by releasing us from our inhibitions and allowing us to express sexual, aggressive, playful, or cynical instincts that would otherwise remain hidden.

In elaborating this theory, Freud brings together a rich collection of puns, witticisms, one-liners, and anecdotes, which, as Freud shows, are a method of giving ourselves away.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Psychological Release: Freud suggests that humor serves as a psychological release, allowing individuals to express and alleviate repressed thoughts, emotions, and tensions in socially acceptable ways.

  2. Joke as a Social Phenomenon: Freud views jokes as a social phenomenon that reflects cultural norms, values, and taboos. Analyzing jokes can provide insights into societal attitudes towards sensitive topics such as sex, aggression, and morality.

  3. Incongruity Theory: Freud discusses the incongruity theory of humor, which suggests that jokes arise from the juxtaposition of incongruous elements or ideas. The surprise element in jokes leads to a release of tension and laughter.

  4. Tendentious Jokes: Freud distinguishes between innocent, harmless jokes and tendentious jokes that carry a deeper, often aggressive, meaning. Tendentious jokes reveal unconscious wishes, conflicts, and taboos, providing a window into the psyche.

  5. Aggression and Humor: Freud explores the connection between aggression and humor, suggesting that aggressive impulses are often disguised and expressed through humor. Jokes may serve as a socially acceptable outlet for aggressive tendencies.

  6. Sexuality and Humor: Freud argues that jokes frequently involve sexual themes and innuendos, reflecting the centrality of sexuality in human psychology. Sexual jokes allow individuals to express taboo desires and anxieties in a disguised form.

  7. Defense Mechanisms: Freud proposes that humor serves as a defense mechanism, allowing individuals to cope with anxiety, guilt, and other uncomfortable emotions. Jokes may serve to deflect or minimize threatening thoughts and feelings.

  8. Cathartic Function: Freud suggests that laughter has a cathartic function, providing relief from emotional tension and allowing individuals to temporarily escape from reality. Humor serves as a coping mechanism in dealing with life's challenges.

  9. Social Function of Jokes: Freud discusses the social function of jokes in fostering social bonds, reinforcing group cohesion, and establishing rapport among individuals. Shared laughter can strengthen interpersonal relationships and create a sense of belonging.

  10. Interpretation of Dreams: Drawing parallels between jokes and dreams, Freud applies his psychoanalytic method to the analysis of jokes, uncovering hidden meanings and symbolic associations. Like dreams, jokes can be interpreted to reveal unconscious desires and conflicts

Language English
ISBN-10 0141185546
ISBN-13 978-0141185545
No of pages 232
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Penguin Books
Published Date 26 Nov 2002

About Author

Author : Sigmund Freud

3 Books

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