A Phenomenological Analysis of Humour in Society

Powell, Chris

doi:10.1007/978-1-349-19193-2_5

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…In these case studies, 'serious' critics neither initiated nor engaged in joking exchanges (see also Powell, 1988) and humour provided a vehicle for both expressing and containing criticism.…”

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confidence: 99%

Nothing Serious? Candidates’ Use of Humour in Management Training

Grugulis

2002

Human Relations

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This article explores the use made of humour in three different private sector organizations. It draws on observations of managers working towards a management qualification and, from the jokes they exchange, it argues that studying humour may offer insights into sentiments not easily articulated in ‘serious’ conversation. Humour’s ambiguity enables contentious statements to be made without fear of recrimination. Equally, constructing jokes by juxtaposing two different frames of reference provides a glimpse of alternative (and shared) perceptions of ‘reality’. This sensitivity to complexity makes humour a particularly appropriate vehicle for conveying ambitions, subversions, triumphs and failures and this article considers some of the ‘serious’ messages underlying the jokes.

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confidence: 99%

Nothing Serious? Candidates’ Use of Humour in Management Training

Grugulis

2002

Human Relations

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“…One assumes, but can See Wolin 1996;and Mansbridge 1996, p. 55. 57 See Burma 1946;Stephenson 1951;Boskin and Dorinson 1985;andPowell andPaton 1988. For Schutz (1995), deception is the essence of humor.…”

Section: The Politicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dialogic ethics and the virtue of humor

Basu

1999

J Political Philosophy

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“…One interesting mode through which power operates, though this is not explored by Foucault, is through humour. According to Powell (1988), hHumour is an important (albeit mild) means by which a group clarifies its norms, negotiates or maintains shared notions of reality, and socially controls deviance (Powell 1988). By getting the joke and responding in an appropriate manner one demonstrates "one's grip over and understanding of the way things are" (Powell, 1988, p. : 99).…”

Section: Star Trekstar Trekmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Jokes take place in a framework where actions and words are defined as not serious or significant -as being without consequence. The ultimate defence of the joker who has been challenged, then, is to simply claim 'I wasn't serious' or 'I was just joking', which shifts the blame back on the critic by implying that he is 'too sensitive' or cannot 'take a joke', and therefore is not quite normal (Powell 1988). If the Trekkie does n'tnot "get the joke" it is doubly incriminating.…”

Section: Star Trekstar Trekmentioning

confidence: 99%