We know that, in general, humour aimed at oneself is well received by others. When we are the target of our own humour, others share our humour but are not threatened or injured by it. Humour aimed at situations is also generally appreciated by others, since it, too, has a target other than another person or group of people. Humour aimed at other individuals or groups may be harmful and not well received as it often is used to put down, insult, or degrade another.
If humour aimed at situations is generally safe, then what is it that causes some humour in crisis situations to be experienced negatively by those in crisis? The answer lies in the psychology of the human response to crisis. Psychologically during a crisis those individuals closest to
the crisis are likely to integrate the crisis into their internal emotional being. That is to say, psychologically, they merge the crisis experience with their own inner emotional state. Essentially, they are unable to separate their inner emotional self from the emotional experience of the crisis. On the other hand, individuals with some distance from the crisis are less likely to experience this merging of self and crisis. Those with some distance, therefore, may be aided by humour because it reinforces perspective and creates a safe distance from the crisis. Those immersed in the crisis experience humour aimed at the crisis as directed at themselves and therefore, as insensitive.
As time passes and distance from the crisis is achieved, those who were once close to the crisis may be aided by humour. How many times have we heard the expression, "It wasn't funny at the time." It wasn't funny because the individual was too close to the difficult situation. Later as some distance is gained a humourous perspective is accepted and even appreciated.
Many a truth is told in jest... So there you have it. ~ SB
cf: Humor Articles / White Papers
"Levity Defies Gravity: Using Humor in Crisis Situations"
by Steven M. Sultanoff, PhD
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