Story
These quotes are listed alphabetically by author and then date published. They are included here because, in my opinion, they can spark important reflection. Click on a quote image for further discussion.
Alex Gillespie Enrico Gnaulati Temple Grandin Stanley I. Greenspan Paul E. McGhee Barry M. Prizant
Stuart G. Shanker Steve Silberman
PAUL E. MCGHEE
”Most dictionary definitions emphasize two distinct meanings of the more specific usage of the term. The basic one is the mental experience of discovering and appreciating ludicrous or absurdly incongruous ideas, events, or situations. When we speak of a person's having a sense of humor, we mean that that person is especially likely not only to perceive such events but also to derive special enjoyment from them.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 6.
”Humor is not an emotion, although it may alter our emotional state, and we are more likely to experience it in some emotional states then in others.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 6.
”When we are having fun, we are playful, joking, merry, and generally lacking any serious intent. What's more, being in a playful frame of mind is central to the concept of fun, and we shall see that this frame of mind is an important prerequisite for humor.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 7.
”Humor appreciation is greatest, then, when we do not immediately see the point, and yet are not required to think laboriously about it.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 39.
”In my opinion, the addition of sexual or aggressive elements in a joke probably has the effect of increasing the enjoyment of jokes that are otherwise boring because of their simplicity.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 39.
”It is immediately apparent to anyone who takes the time to ponder over the nature of humor that most occurrences of humor have a strong social component. Although we may appreciate humor when alone, it is much more enjoyable in the presence of others (at least we laugh more with others than when alone).”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 45.
”In the simplest sense, incongruous relationships are the essence of what is seen as humorous. Whether in the realm of objects, behavior, social norms, or language, some form of nonfitting, unexpected, inappropriate, surprising, or incongruous relationship is always present in humor.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 46.
”Humor invariably requires a comparison of what is expected and what is encountered instead.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. p. 46.
”Finally, imagination, make-believe, and fantasy (these are considered to be equivalent) are emphasized as playing a central role in children's humor. In comparing what is expected with what is encountered, the perceived incongruity must be believed to exist only at a fantasy level in order to be perceived as humorous. However, the importance of fantasy is considered to decrease as the child approaches adolescence.”
McGhee, Paul E. (1979) Humor. W. H. Freeman and Company: San Francisco, California. pp. 47-48.
