ABSTRACT

First published in 1987. What distinguishes people from other animals is said to be people's ability to laugh. Much of the literature treats humor as a normal but pathological phenomenon. This volume first describes a theory which not only views humor as nonpathological, but as contributing to the evolution of social interest. It then describes the structure of the joke and proceeds to elaborate the forms and goals humor takes in psychotherapy.

part |35 pages

Humor

chapter |9 pages

What Makes Things Funny?

chapter |14 pages

Theories of Humor

chapter |9 pages

The Structure of the Joke

part |43 pages

Humor in Psychotherapy

part |49 pages

Jokes Used in Psychotherapy

chapter |47 pages

Jokes