Why is that funny?

Theories of Humor

  1. Superiority Theory
  2. Relief Theory
  3. Incongruity Theory
  4. Benign Violations Theory

Create a visual that explores and explains the theories of humor.

Your visual must include a section for each theory that features (at minimum):

  1. one elaborate, explanatory statement
  2. one written example, and 
  3. one illustrative example.

Optional Extras:

  • You may print off one image per theory to use as your illustrative example.
  • To provide an enriched response, you could show how the theories relate to each other.
  • You could include a section that explores topics that are NOT funny.
  • You could include non-examples for theories to clarify types of humor that are similar but not the same.
Theories of Humor