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Brain Research : Brain Research “Humor is by far the most significant activity of the human brain.”
-- Edward De Bono, psychologist, writer, creative thinking authority
Humor’s Effectiveness : Humor’s Effectiveness Healthier
Happier
More Effective:
On the job (improve student achievement)
With your colleagues
In your personal life
Brain Research : Brain Research Humor is a perfect vehicle for pedagogical purposes.
Humor is H.O.T.
(Higher Order Thinking)
- Lateral
- Divergent
Brain Research : Brain Research
Humor reduces stress – alleviates downshifting
Helpful in coping with Change
Assets of Humor: : Assets of Humor: Happier Life “We don’t laugh
because we’re happy.
We’re happy
because we laugh!”
- William James, philosopher, psychologist
PHYSIOLOGICAL : PHYSIOLOGICAL Improves respiration and breathing
Relaxes muscles
Reduces stress, anxiety and tension
Increases pain tolerance
Decreases depression and anger
Psychological : Psychological Mature coping skill
Counteracts the grasping nature of the ego
Reduces negative emotions
*Comedy vs. Tragedy
*Improves our mood - Goleman
Productivity : Productivity Enhances climate
Reduces absenteeism
Increases involvement
Improves morale
Creates job satisfaction
Jump-starts creativity
Pedagogical : Pedagogical We learn best when in a state of moderate arousal.”
-- John Cleese, "Monty Python”
Pedagogy : Pedagogy
Brain compatible
Creates an emotional link
Increases involvement/alertness
Enhances retention
Higher Order Thinking Skill
Great Improvisers/Great Teachers : Great Improvisers/Great Teachers Need to “be in the moment.”
Play at the top of their intelligence
Bridge conflict
Heighten and explore another’s gifts
Work without a script
Resources and References : Resources and References
The Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor - Mission: “To advance the understanding and application of humor, laughter and play.” AATH provides evidence-based information and practical applications of humor. www.aath.org
Energize Your Meetings with Laughter. Sheila Feigelson, ASCD Publishing, 1998 www.ascd.org.
The Humor Project, Inc. Joel Goodman, Founder. 480 Broadway, Ste. 210, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, (518) 587-8770 www.HumorProject.com
Improvisation for the Theatre. Viola Spolin, Northwestern U. Press, 1983
The Laughing Classroom. Loomans & Kolberg, H J Kramer, Inc., 1993
A Laughing Place. Christian Hageseth III, M.D., Berwick Publishing Company, 1988
License To Laugh. Richard A. Shade, Teacher Ideas Press, 1996
“She Who Laughs, Lasts.” Article by Jim Winter in Principal magazine, March/April 2004. NAESP Publications. www.naesp.org
Truth In Comedy. Charna Halpern & Del Close, Meriwether Pub. 1994
WAVELENGTH – Improvisational comedy ensemble using humor to focus on Educational concerns. Videotapes, CDs, workshops and live performances for professional development. www.wavelength.biz
World Laughter Tour - Certified Laughter Leadership workshop “to teach people enjoyable, systematic, self-care strategies.” www.worldlaughtertour.com
RESOURCES AND REFERENCES : RESOURCES AND REFERENCES The Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor - Mission: “To advance the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits.” AATH provides evidence-based information and practical applications of humor. www.aath.org
RESOURCES AND REFERENCES : RESOURCES AND REFERENCES
World Laughter Tour - Certified Laughter Leadership workshop “to teach people enjoyable, systematic, self-care strategies.” www.worldlaughtertour.com
RESOURCES AND REFERENCES : RESOURCES AND REFERENCES License To Laugh. Richard A. Shade, Teacher Ideas Press,
THEORIES OF HUMOR : THEORIES OF HUMOR
THEORIES OF HUMOR : THEORIES OF HUMOR I. Incongruity Theory - (Kant, Schopenhauer)
II. Superiority Theory - (Plato, Aristotle, Descartes)
III. Relief\Release Theory - (Freud)
IV. Humor as a Form of Play - (Eastman)
V. Humor Exposes the Truth - (White)
From “License To Laugh” by Richard A. Shade
Qualities of Humor: : Qualities of Humor: “Humor is the only Divine Quality of Man.”
-- Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher
Incongruity Theory (Kant, Schopenhauer) : Incongruity Theory (Kant, Schopenhauer)
Multiple meanings
Detecting ambiguities
Sudden shift of perspective
Superiority Theory (Plato, Aristotle, Descartes) : Superiority Theory (Plato, Aristotle, Descartes) Humor to inflate our own ego
Humor to deflate others we
feel are superior
Seeing flaw in others as
compared to ourselves
III. RELIEF \ RELEASE THEORY (Freud) : III. RELIEF \ RELEASE THEORY (Freud)
Temporary freedom from our restrictions
Rebellion against the repressive
or uncontrollable
Levity in a tense situation.
IV. Humor as a Form of Play - (Eastman) : IV. Humor as a Form of Play - (Eastman) A reversion to childish innocence
Slide24 : Humor Exposes the Truth
(White) Rips away the veils of pretense
Reveals truth of human nature and human affairs
Slide25 : Machine Theory – (Bergson)
We Laugh at Others Rigidity
Assets of Humor: : Assets of Humor: Improved Health “Laughter is inner jogging.”
-- Norman Cousins, editor, Saturday Review
THE FOUR FORMS OF HUMOR : THE FOUR FORMS OF HUMOR FIGURAL
Comic Books
Comic Strips
Cartoons
Political Cartoons VERBAL
Jokes
Puns
Riddles
Satire
Parody
Irony
Wit
Anecdotes VISUAL (Physical)
Impressions
Impersonations
Mime
Pratfalls
Practical Jokes
Slapstick
Sightgags AUDITORY
Impressions
Impersonations
Noises
Sounds
HUMOR STYLES : HUMOR STYLES
KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF HUMOR : KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF HUMOR I. Relationship
II. Rapport
III. Setting
I. RELATIONSHIP : I. RELATIONSHIP Know your audience
Make your intentions clear
Tell stories with a purpose
II. RAPPORT : II. RAPPORT Have an understanding of your audiences feelings
Obtain permission to tease
Should be laughing with, not at someone
III. SETTING : III. SETTING Make sure the humor is appropriate for the space
Respect everyone within earshot
Humor should enhance, not distract
AREAS OF HUMOR TO LIKELY AVOID : AREAS OF HUMOR TO LIKELY AVOID Sexual
Ethnic\Racial
Religious
Hostile \ Sick
Demeaning to Men \ Women
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Look for humor in everything
Collect humor
Smile more
Participate in humorous activities
Hang out with funny people – try the humor buddy system Use humor in your correspondence \ surveys \ tests
Try out other styles \ forms of humor
Tell stories on yourself
Have some sort of humor always at the ready
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Look for humor in everything
“Nothing is quite as funny as the
unintended humor in reality.”
- Steve Allen
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Collect Humor
Keep a journal \ file \ bulletin board \ library of:
Books Magazines Cartoons Headlines
Jokes Stories Excuses Oxymoron's
Signs Anecdotes Videos \ Audio Tapes
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Smile More
Lighten up – Be more playful
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Participate In Humorous Activities
Dress up for “dress-up” day
Create \ perform in a sketch
written by \ for your colleagues
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Hang Out With Funny People
Try the humor buddy system
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Use Humor In Your:
Correspondence
Surveys
Tests
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR
Try Out Other Styles \ Forms of Humor
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR
Tell Stories On Yourself
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR : HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF HUMOR Have Some Sort Of Humor
Always At The Ready
Question is Not: : Question is Not:
“When I teach is it
all right if I use humor?” Permission to Laugh
Question Is: : Question Is:
“When I use humor
Is it all right if I teach?” Permission to Laugh
Slide47 : Jim Winter
www.wavelengthinc.com
jim@wavelengthinc.com
Toll free: 1-877- LAUGHS-2