Deck 13: Persuasive Humor

Question 1

what is the definition of following key term
-Humor

Answer 1

laughter caused by a psychological reaction to a visual or verbal stimulant.

Question 2

what is the definition of following key term
-Superiority theory

Answer 2

explains that humor is found in feeling above or better than the subject being laughed at.

Question 3

what is the definition of following key term
-Relief theory

Answer 3

explains that humor is sparked in situations where a feeling of tension and relief takes over and allows for the humor to present itself.

Question 4

what is the definition of following key term
-Incongruity theory

Question 5

Humor makes messages

A) funny.
B) accessible.
C) memorable.
D) complex.
E) ineffective.

Question 6

Kelly laughed when she saw her 2-year-old son, who couldn't even read yet, pick up a book to take with him to the bathroom. This type of humor is explained by

A) mimicked behaviors.
B) relief theory.
C) superiority theory.
D) misunderstanding theory.
E) incongruity theory.

Question 7

Humor helps people build

A) enthymemes.
B) stamina.
C) work ethic.
D) trust.
E) relationships.

Question 8

Which of the following does humor typically NOT generate?

A) support
B) indifference
C) approval
D) goal attainment
E) positive reception

Question 9

During Josh's job interview, Josh and his interviewer both laughed when the interviewer knocked over his water glass and said, "Oops, I guess I'm nervous." This type of humor is explained by

A) projecting theory.
B) relief theory.
C) superiority theory.
D) transfer of energy theory.
E) incongruity theory.

Question 10

If you are able to laugh at your own mistakes, you are following------------- theory.

A) superiority
B) self-importance
C) relief
D) self-value
E) incongruity

Question 11

------------ is rhetorical deduction based on audience-accepted warrants that yield probable conclusions.

A) Incongruity theory
B) Humor
C) Superiority theory
D) Enthymeme
E) Relief theory

Question 12

A stand-up comedian makes a joke about a racial stereotype, and the audience laughs.
This type of humor is explained by

A) racial profiling theory.
B) relief theory.
C) superiority theory.
D) transfer of energy theory.
E) incongruity theory.

Question 13

You must possess ____________ to connect with a humorous message.

A) quick wits
B) rational thought
C) charisma
D) critical thinking
E) a funny bone

Question 14

Humor is a powerful tool because of the ------------- it receives.

A) positive reaction
B) laughs
C) feedback
D) comebacks
E) attention

Question 15

Barbara receives a funny email about a taboo topic. This type of humor is explained by

A) cultural differences.
B) relief theory.
C) superiority theory.
D) electronic media theory.
E) incongruity theory.

Question 16

Humor can be ---------- because sometimes we laugh without processing what we are laughing about.

A) incongruous
B) confusing
C) all-encompassing
D) demanding
E) generalized

Question 17

-----------offers the explanation that humor is found in feeling above or better than the subject being laughed at.

A) Incongruity theory
B) Dissonance
C) Superiority theory
D) Enthymeme
E) Relief theory

Question 18

Erin laughed when her classmate, Sarah, ignored the "Push" sign on the door and instead tried to pull it open. This type of humor is explained by

A) absent-mindedness.
B) relief theory.
C) superiority theory.
D) misunderstanding theory.
E) incongruity theory.

Question 19

If we find a topic ----------- , we are more aware when someone is inferring a joke about it.

A) boring
B) challenging
C) interesting
D) controversial
E) humorous

Question 20

-------------- makes the argument that humor is sparked in situations where a feeling of tension and relief takes over and allows for the humor to present itself.

A) Incongruity theory
B) Joke expansion
C) Superiority theory
D) Enthymeme
E) Relief theory

Question 21

Truth.com's commercials about Shards O' Glass Freeze Pops is an example of

A) literal humor.
B) satire.
C) adult humor.
D) indirect humor.
E) sarcasm.

Question 22

Humor can be effective for politicians because it helps prevent audiences from feeling that the politician is

A) elitist.
B) dishonest.
C) a celebrity.
D) serious.
E) inexperienced.

Question 23

-------------- holds that humor is a result of a break from an expected pattern or norm.

A) Incongruity theory
B) Boredom
C) Superiority theory
D) Enthymeme
E) Relief theory

Question 24

Following ---------------, people often laugh first and then begin to think about the issues at hand.

A) humor as relief
B) humor as enthymeme
C) humor as competition
D) humor as incongruity
E) humor as superiority

Question 25

When an audience is persuaded by an argument that a comedian makes, this is referred to as

A) incongruity theory.
B) humor.
C) superiority theory.
D) enthymeme.
E) relief theory.

Question 26

A------------- professor's class is typically more receptive to learning than a professor who lacks that characteristic.

A) charismatic
B) serious
C) humorous
D) talkative
E) challenging

Question 27

-------------------- from humor helps an audience see a new perspective on the topic, thus facilitating persuasion.

A) Superiority
B) Incongruity
C) Distinction
D) Laughing
E) Relaxation

Question 28

Tommy and Scott were throwing water balloons out of their dorm room window when they just narrowly missed hitting their RA in the head. They burst out laughing afterward.
This type of humor can be explained by

A) immaturity.
B) relief theory.
C) superiority theory.
D) mischief theory.
E) incongruity theory.

Question 29

Speakers gain power from humor because it can help them gain

A) friends.
B) contacts.
C) values.
D) credibility.
E) understanding.

Question 30

Advertisers use humor to establish rapport with audiences and then use systematic persuasion in their messages.

Question 31

An audience must make an inferiority connection with the message if its persuasive intent is to be effective.

Question 32

Humor allows us to discuss taboo topics publicly.

Question 33

The physical manifestation of humor is laughter.

Question 34

Following incongruity theory, people laugh after a stressful situation has been resolved.

Question 35

Superiority theory suggests that laughter results from a violation of an expected norm.

Question 36

Incongruity from humor helps an audience see a new perspective on a topic.

Question 37

If one shares humor with someone, one is more persuadable by that someone.

Question 38

Although humorous messages may be processed carefully, they are not processed critically.

Question 39

Humor has been integrated into a large part of our daily existence even though it has not been shown to aid in memory recall.
Essay/Short

Question 40

With humor permeating so many aspects of our daily lives, is it an effective persuasive tactic?

Question 41

Are there any limitations of using humor in persuasion?

Question 42

What is the enthymematic connection? Is it better to have prior knowledge of a subject when you are making an enthymematic connection? Why or why not?

Question 43

Why is it important to study humor as a communicative persuasive tool?

Question 44

How does humor work to strengthen existing beliefs?

Question 45

Give an example of an advertising campaign that made you laugh. Were you persuaded to try that product? Why or why not?

Question 46

Give an example of a time that you were persuaded by humor.

Question 47

Define incongruity theory. Give an example.

Question 48

Define superiority theory. Give an example.

Question 49

Define relief theory. Give an example.