ID Ego Needs to satisfy ego, superego, and reality! Wants sexual gratification NOW Superego Immoral (married, stranger, etc.)

Ego Id

Parapraxis Humor Id

Write a funny caption for this picture

Findings Tend to write captions with sexual or aggressive themes “Sorry for being late, I was just with your best friend” Interestingly, rarely make such statements when asked what they might do in this situation

Themes Sex Aggression Elimination

Why? Which part of the mind emphasizes these themes? How does a joke work? Surprise!

How a joke works The surprise “punch line” is important Ego doesn’t have a chance to defend against it Rush of pleasure comes from sudden release of tension Tension released because repressed impulses suddenly allowed expression The punch-line evades the censor

How a joke works Expression of unacceptable impulses, often of sex and aggression Jokes allow you to enjoy these impulses in a relatively safe manner

Practical Jokes Examples Expression of mild hostility in an enjoyable way

Research The art of telling a joke (if Freud is right) The more tension a person experiences before a punch line, the funnier the joke Told they would be using a rat Low tension (just held it) Mod. tension (took blood; told it was easy) High tension (took blood; told it was hard) Ego Id

Research Reached into cage and found

Research “Punch Line” How funny was that?

Research

When jokes go bad! If joke is too crude it is typically not seen as funny. Why? Its purpose is too obvious to the audience – ego has time to censure the impulse

Nice jokes What about “nice” jokes? “I don’t believe in astrology, because I’m a Virgo, and we’re hard to convince.” Silliness in general allows for a brief escape from reality Demands of reality are resented by the mind It constantly thwarts release of tension! Defying reality is mildly pleasant

Remembering Jokes Have trouble remember jokes? Repression occurs afterward

Ego Id

Parapraxis Humor Id

Parapraxes When the ego does not do its job properly, elements of the id may slip out and be seen Forgetting Slips

Ever forget Anything? Birthday? Name? Forgetting what you were talking about at a party? Forgetting a dentist appointment or showing up on the wrong day ? Due dates for papers? Why? There are no accidents!

Forgetting You forget to try to avoid thinking about something that may produce anxiety Every time you forget something there is a reason! You forget to do something because it reminds you of something else

Possible explanations Birthday? Name? Forgot about a date? Due dates for papers?

Possible explanations Birthday? Reminds you of age, death. If parent, maybe an issue from the phallic stage Name? Forgot about a date? Due dates for tests or papers?

Possible explanations Birthday? Reminds you of age, death. If parent, maybe an issue from the phallic stage Name? Perhaps you have sexual impulses about this person Forgot about a date? Due dates for tests or papers?

Possible explanations Birthday? Reminds you of age, death. If parent, maybe an issue from the phallic stage Name? Perhaps you have sexual impulses about this person Forgot about a date? Anxiety about the date / person is too similar to a parent Due dates for papers?

Possible explanations Birthday? Reminds you of age, death. If parent, maybe an issue from the phallic stage Name? Perhaps you have sexual impulses about this person Forgot about a date? Anxiety about the date / person is too similar to a parent Due dates for papers? Fear about rejection from parents

Parapraxes When the ego does not do its job properly, elements of the id may slip out and be seen Forgetting Slips

Freudian Slip

Slips Unintended actions that are caused by the leakage of suppressed impulses Denial and slips People don’t do them on purpose The more they deny them the more truth there is to it!

Examples Me and “mother” / “girlfriend” story I don’t think we’ve been properly seduced, um, introduced” “What do you think of Fraudian theory?” “I hope you are well and unhappy” “Pleased to beat you” “He can eat and drink what I want” Using the name of an ex? Breaking something on accident “Accidentally” leave something at someone's house?

Slips More likely to occur when a person is tired or fatigued Note: Being tired dos not cause a slip to occur

Parapraxes vs. Humor Parapraxes Humor Impulse leaks out in an uncontrolled manner Humor Impulse is crafted to come out in a controlled manner Parapraxes are a failure of the ego; humor is a success!