Based on the research of Dr. Richard Taflinger The Theory of Comedy Based on the research of Dr. Richard Taflinger

#1 Intellect and Emotions Comedy must appeal to the intellect and not to the emotions Ethnic Humor Lenny Bruce

#2 Mechanization Comedy must be mechanical Physical comedy Slapstick Inability of a person to adapt/react to an environment

#3 Inherently Human Comedy must be inherently human, with the capability or reminding us of humanity Satire/Parody

#4 Action/Dialogue Comedy must possess situations and component parts (action/dialogue) which are inconsistent or unsuitable to the societal norm

#5 Societal Norms Comedy must have an established set of social norms with which the observer is familiar, either through everyday life or through an author’s expository form Incongruities Internal Norms  Author Provides External Norms  Societal

Incongruities Literalization  Taking a figure of speech literally Reversal  Reversing the normal Exaggeration  Taking what is normal and blowing it out of proportion

Pain is Funny Comedy must be perceived as harmless or painless to the participants