Many argue that humor is subjective. What may seem funny to one person may have the exact opposite effect on another. And as consumer psychologist Catherine Jansson-Boyd confirms, people tend to find humor in something that violates a norm, as long as it doesn’t affect them.
“What determines whether it is (a benign violation) is linked to how bad something is and how far removed we are from it. In terms of personal experience,” she wrote in an article for Psychology Today.
Jansson-Boyd even described humor as something risky because certain jokes can be subject to misinterpretation, especially in cross-cultural contexts. This is why many encourage using caution when telling jokes, particularly those that may be perceived as offensive.
For example, Jansson-Boyd used April Fool’s Day jokes by companies as a marketing tool, which may or may not sit well with the audience.
“(These jokes) can cause the teller to lose status, raising some questions about whether it is good PR to engage in joke telling, even if it is for April Fool’s,” she wrote.
So, how do you prevent jokes from falling flat? Tampa-based comedy club Side Splitters offered some suggestions. If you’re an aspiring comedian, for example, researching your audience is a critical first step, and it goes without saying.
One way to do this is by attending open mic nights to experience firsthand how jokes land with different people.
Applying this concept to a real-world situation outside of the comedy club, it’s more about reading the room and understanding the mood of the people you’re trying to communicate with.
As Janssen-Boyd points out, humor can be a powerful communication tool, particularly in uplifting others. However, if you must go down this route, you must be aware of the norms you’re violating and the people you may offend in the process.
“It is important to ensure that any violations made are not significant enough to damage your future reputation,” she wrote.
