Literary Interdisciplinary Research

Introduction to Four Interdisciplinary Theories of Humor: A Conceptual and Practical Analysis for Analyzing Satirical Poetry

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Yahya Ataei

Payam Noor University assistant professor

10.30465/lir.2025.51709.2009
Abstract
This article employs a theoretical-analytical approach and a qualitative-descriptive method to integrate four major theories of humor-superiority, incongruity, relief, and labeling-into a unified framework for literary analysis. Each theory illuminates a distinct dimension of humor’s mechanism. The superiority theory, rooted in classical Greek philosophy, interprets humor as arising from a sense of dominance and the recognition of others’ shortcomings. The incongruity theory views humor as a response to the sudden clash between expectation and reality. Relief theory, grounded in psychology, explains humor as a means of releasing internal tension and suppressed emotions. Labeling theory, informed by sociological perspectives, examines humor’s role in critiquing and renegotiating social labels and norms. Analyses of Persian and English poetic examples demonstrate that these theories function complementarily, enabling a multilayered understanding of comic expression. The findings suggest that humor, beyond entertainment, operates as a critical tool for exposing dysfunction, recasting power relations, and managing psychological pressures. Integrating these four theories provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature, structure, and functions of humor and opens new avenues for future research across literary, cultural, political, and psychological domains.

Keywords

humor
superiority
incongruity
relief
labeling

Subjects

Literary Interdisciplinary Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 December 2025

Article View 1,664

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