'Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious': Deciphering the Mysteries of Humor

In a job interview, looking at the nervous candidate, the interviewer pulled out a ladder from a corner and gave it to the candidate to break the ice in the room.

Interviewer: "Any questions?"

Candidate: (Hesitantly)"Why did you give me..... a ladder in the job interview ?" 

Interviewer: "Because it is our motto to take your career to the next level!"

Both the interviewer and the candidate share a laugh, finding the joke witty. What might appear as a light-hearted quip is, according to Freud's view, a glimpse into the subconscious desires and fears associated with career growth.

The humor in this joke revolves around the candidate's hidden desire for career advancement and reaching the "next level" in their professional life. At the same time, there may be underlying fears related to the job interview process, competition, and the uncertainty of the future. This joke provides a socially acceptable way for both the candidate and the interviewer to acknowledge these hidden thoughts and emotions.

Sigmund Freud, the famous psychoanalyst, wrote a book about humor called "Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious." In this book, Freud argued that humor is a way of releasing repressed thoughts and feelings. He also believed humor can be used to cope with difficult or painful experiences.

Join us as we embark on a journey to unpack Freud's insights on humor, using his seminal work as our guide.

Understanding Humor through Jokes

Freud believed that jokes held the key to understanding the inner workings of the human psyche, a way for people to express their hidden thoughts and feelings.

He proposed that humor, particularly in the form of jokes, provided a means for individuals to express thoughts, desires, and anxieties that were otherwise suppressed or unacceptable in polite society. He called marks "a socially acceptable avenue for releasing repressed thoughts."

For example, a joke about sex or violence might be considered inappropriate in many situations. But by telling the joke, the person can express those thoughts and feelings safely and socially acceptable.

Freud's theory of humor has its critics. Some argue that it is too simplistic and that other factors contribute to why we find things funny. However, Freud's theory remains influential, and it can help us understand why we find certain jokes funny and why others don't.

Freud categorized jokes into two main types:

1. Innocent Jokes / Tendency wit: Innocent jokes rely on wordplay, humor, and clever associations. They often involve harmless or socially acceptable content. Freud saw these jokes as a way to release psychic energy through the linguistic manipulation of words and concepts.

2. Tendentious Jokes/ Nonsensical wit: Tendentious jokes, on the other hand, delve into more taboo or risqué subject matter. They allow individuals to express forbidden desires or thoughts in a socially sanctioned manner. By disguising these thoughts as humor, tendentious jokes offer a release valve for unconscious material.

Freud also believed that the type of humor that people enjoy can reveal a lot about their personality. 

For example, people with a strong superego (the part of the personality responsible for morality and guilt) are more likely to enjoy jokes that are self-deprecating or that poke fun at authority figures.

The Role of the Unconscious:

At the heart of Freud's exploration of humor lies the concept of the unconscious mind. He believed jokes and humor were closely linked to the unconscious, serving as a channel through which unconscious material could surface and be expressed. When we laugh at a joke, we are, in Freud's view, acknowledging the presence of hidden desires, fears, and thoughts within us.

Freud also suggested that jokes often function as a defense mechanism. They allow individuals to distance themselves from uncomfortable or distressing thoughts by transforming them into something humorous. In this way, humor provides a coping mechanism for dealing with the complexities of life.

The Social and Cultural Dimensions:

Freud recognized that humor is deeply influenced by social and cultural norms. What is considered funny in one culture may not be in another. He claimed that humor reflects a society's values, taboos, and power dynamics. This insight highlights the cultural relativity of humor and its potential for revealing societal dynamics.

For example, a joke about politics or religion may be considered funny in one culture but offensive in another. This is because these topics are often sensitive and taboo in certain cultures.

Moreover, Freud also examined that humor sheds light on the power play inherent in many jokes. He observed that humor often involves one person or group asserting dominance over another through laughter. This aspect of humor raises questions about the ethics of humor and its potential to reinforce or challenge social hierarchies.

For example, a person might tell a joke at the expense of another person to make themselves look superior. This type of humor is often used to reinforce social hierarchies.

And in another example, a person might tell a joke that critiques authority or challenges the status quo. This type of humor can be used to promote/challenge social change.

Here are some examples of Freud's insights about humor that we get to see in one form or another in the real world:

• A stand-up comedian might tell jokes about politics or religion in order to challenge the status quo and promote social change.

• A group of friends might tell jokes about their own culture in order to bond and build understanding, empathy, and sympathy.

• A person might tell a joke at the expense of another person in order to bully or intimidate them.

It is essential to be aware of the cultural context and power dynamics at play when using humor. We should use humor in a way that is respectful of others and does not reinforce harmful stereotypes.

Here are some tips for using humor respectfully and ethically:

• Be mindful of your audience. Consider what they might find funny and what they might find offensive.

• Avoid jokes that make fun of people's marginalized identities, such as their race, religion, or sexual orientation.

• Be careful about using humor to assert dominance over others.

• Use humor to promote social change and to build rapport with others.

Conclusion

In "Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious," Sigmund Freud provided a profound analysis of humor, revealing its deep-seated connections to the human psyche and the unconscious mind. According to Freud, humor is not simply a source of amusement but a complex mechanism that allows individuals to:

• Express repressed thoughts: Humor can be a way to express thoughts and feelings that are too taboo or painful to acknowledge directly. 

For example, a joke about death or sex might allow us to explore these topics in a safe and humorous way.

• Cope with discomfort: Humor can also help us to cope with difficult or uncomfortable situations. 

For example, a joke about a stressful job or a difficult relationship might help us to lighten the mood and feel less overwhelmed.

• Navigate the intricacies of society: Humor can also be used to navigate the social world. 

For example, a joke about politics or religion might help us to connect with others who share our views or to challenge the status quo.

Freud's exploration of humor reminds us that even in our moments of laughter, there is much to uncover about the human mind and the complex interplay between consciousness and the unconscious. His work encourages us to examine the jokes we encounter and create, not merely as sources of amusement but as windows into the depths of our psyches and societies. Freud inspires us to consider the hidden meanings and motivations that underlie our sense of humor and to reflect on the ways in which humor shapes our interactions with others and our understanding of the world around us.

To know more, read Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious by Sigmund Freud.