- Incongruity: Humor often arises when two or more ideas or concepts that seem unrelated or contradictory are presented together. When the unexpected happens, it can create a sense of surprise and amusement.
- Surprise: When a joke or a comedic situation catches us off guard, it can lead to laughter.
- Violation of expectations: When our expectations are violated in a humorous way, it can create a sense of incongruity and amusement.
- Playfulness: Humor often involves a playful approach to language and ideas. This can manifest in forms such as puns, wordplay, irony, and satire.
- Social connection: Humor can strengthen our bonds with others by creating a shared understanding and sense of community. This is why we often find ourselves laughing along with friends and family during humorous moments.