Turns out that folks with damage to the right parahippocampal gyrus have problems ‘getting’, understanding sarcasm. This, the latest news from Katherine P. Rankin. She’s combined M.R.I. scanning with a test that measures how well people get social inferences–that is, how well they can understand what other people are thinking.
I find all this fascinating. Particularly because I’m possessed by a very dry, acerbic sense of humour. This is kind of a curse. It’s amazing how many people don’t get the joke if you don’t act like Harvey Kneeslapper. Particularly undergraduates. Part of it, of course, is the lack of social knowledge of the average eighteen-to-twenty-one-year-old. Part of it is the Wednesday night Pierce House parties. It is not confined to undergraduates, though. Many, many people do not find me funny.
I, however, keep myself amused. On the whole, that’s a good thing.
William The Coroner's Forensic Files 
A few months ago I tackled the issue of cognitive development, literacy, and humor in one of my education classes. Since sarcasm (producing humor and understanding humor) is a high-level cognitive skill, many students do not have the cognitive or social tools to understand sarcasm. I use sarcasm quite a bit, so I’ve had to change how I interact with certain students. I still use sophisticated language and make jokes, but I make sure that I’m not operating beyond the reach of students.
Comment by educatorblog — Wednesday, 4, June, 2008 @ 06:16 |
I always KNEW people who didn’t get my jokes were brain-damaged or socially retarded! Now there’s proof!!
Comment by crankyProf — Wednesday, 4, June, 2008 @ 07:09 |
Well, at least you have a sense of humor.
A lot of people don’t get my humor either. I always thought it was because it was esoteric or geek related.
But at least now we can use the excuse, “It is not me, it is YOU.” Hee.
Comment by Katie — Wednesday, 4, June, 2008 @ 10:59 |
I’m not surprised. At the community college, we have quite a few people who come in with brain injuries, and they definitely have a harder time reading (and sending the appropriate) social cues.
In one instance, a writing conference was running on the long side. I told the student I’d love to talk [unrelated tangential topic] another time (a big fat hint, I thought), but I was there to help with her paper. She gave me her contact info so we could discuss another time.
I’ve had to learn to tone down my sarcastic impulses. Even the non-injured kids have a hard time with deadpan, dry humor. Honestly, I despair of my generation.
Comment by Overeducated Twit — Wednesday, 4, June, 2008 @ 11:01 |
I usually get blank or angry stares to my sense of humor, and all this time a thought it was a cultural difference. I guess I found some of my people here…;)
Comment by Di — Wednesday, 4, June, 2008 @ 19:22 |
Don’t worry. You’re funny. You are. Really. Really really.
Comment by Lars Dorland — Thursday, 5, June, 2008 @ 09:40 |
Perhaps we should come up with a sarcasm test for voting.
The candidates should at least entertain us, if they expect us to vote for them.
Or, do I just not get the sophisticated joke being played out with the current crop of stand up candidates?
Comment by Rogue Medic — Thursday, 5, June, 2008 @ 10:18 |
This answers so many questions. Who knew that, after all these years, I would find out that I truly am a comedic genius and all those around me simply suffered from damaged right parahippocampal gyrus?
Comment by Steph — Thursday, 5, June, 2008 @ 11:39 |
Learning what the sarcasm threshold was for each group of new students was an interesting facet of my student teaching. Some of the little bitty kiddies don’t get it. Some do, but it’s unrealistic to expect comprehension of sarcasm from the very young. Of the adult population, I never put it together as a separate thing from general intelligence; thanks for the link, fascinating indeed.
I enjoy those who indulge in a good bit of sarcasm without getting the mean edge to it, which you do so well. Back to my tea & sarcasm.
Comment by TeaWench — Friday, 6, June, 2008 @ 15:52 |
I read that study and told my mom that when she no longer recognizes sarcasm, I’ll know that dementia has hit. And she said, “Oh, and I’ll just be crushed.”
Evidentially, dementia has not yet hit.
Comment by Heather — Friday, 6, June, 2008 @ 22:42 |