Benign Violation Theory

Abstract

The benign violation theory argues that humor perception results from a violation appraisal, a benign appraisal, and both appraisals occurring simultaneously. The benign violation theory offers a plausible explanation for why seeming diverse stimuli, including puns, sarcasm, jokes, tickling, and slapstick all similarly elicit humor. It also helps explain why people and cultures often hold differing opinions about what is funny and what is not.