Men's Brains and Women's Brains
I think it's safe to say, whichever gender you are, that we can recognize a difference. Just what is that difference we might ask? I certainly think I know my brain, and I assume you probably know yours (you did make it to college, after all), but you likely have some failure of understanding when it comes to brains of the opposite gender. I mean, don't we all? Or, maybe you can't even quite pin down what it is about your brain that makes it operate like it does. Well, I think this man, Mark Gungor, has it pretty well figured out...
Funny right? I certainly think so. I died laughing the first time I saw this video.
But just what makes it so funny?
1. Everyone can relate.
This video is not exclusive to one group of people. If you are a woman watching it, like I am, then you likely can recognize that what he is saying about women's brains is accurate and you most likely find humor in the way in which he describes the male brain. If you are a guy watching this, reverse that. I assume you may find some accuracy in the ways in which he describes your brains, as well. And, I also assume you find some humor in the way in which he describes the brains of us women. And yes, I know that I am making some assumptions and generalizations here, but I feel like they are fair assumptions and generalizations to make, given the reactions of the audience in the video clip.
2. His presentation style is engaging.
Sure, jokes are great in any context, but a great presentation style makes comedy just that much funnier. Just what about Mark Gungor's presentation style is so great? Well, I can narrow it down into two categories: visual and auditory.
Visual: Gungor has brains sitting out - two of them - to represent what he is discussing. He moves back and forth between his models to give the audience a clear visualization of who and what he is talking about. There is a clear distinction. But, more than that, Gungor uses his hand motions in ways that aren't distracting, but instead enhance the comedy work. His hands help you to visualize both the men's boxes and the women's wires, respectively.
Auditory: Mark Gungor's presentation is not boring to the ears by any stretch of the imagination. He regularly fluctuates his voice to portray excitement and passion. He shows excitement and frustration. He also helps the audience to visualize what he is talking about using his vocalizations of buzzing sounds, as well as imitations of women's and men's voices and reactions.3. The message is clear and easy to accept.
There is no confusion here when it comes to just who Gungor is talking to and what he is talking about. There is no questioning whether or not you agree with the statements he is making from any sort of political sense. They are not controversial. There is no questioning whether the humor is appropriate or "okay" to laugh about. This is just simple, clean, straightforward humor that anyone and everyone can enjoy.
So, how does Men's Brains and Women's Brains align with Monro's three "Theories of Humor"?
Well, as best as I can tell, it doesn't. Here's why:
Superiority Theory
Now, I suppose one could argue that comedy clip fits into superiority theory because of how it pokes fun of the opposite gender's brain, but I would argue that that is not entirely true. Yes, of course, this bit pokes fun at the brain of the opposite gender. However, it pokes fun at the brain your own gender (whatever that may be) just as equally. And that is the keyword here: equal. In this bit, neither brain is superior to the other, they both have their perks and they both have their flaws, thus not making it fit into the box (pun intended ;) ) of superiority theory.
Incongruity Theory
Incongruity theory assumes that something is funny because it is out of place or unexpected. While this comedy clip likely presented ideas in a way in which you had never thought of them before, it doesn't quite come across as unexpected or out of place enough to categorize it as incongruity theory.
Relief Theory
Ah, relief theory. What a nice concept, to have a source of humor that can comfort and can lighten situations. Unfortunately, funny and lighthearted though it may be, Gunthro's bit here doesn't really offer up any sort of sense of relief.
So there you have it!
I hope you found the clip to be as funny as I did. I'm a sucker for some simple, clean humor. I'm sure you'll continue to see that in my future posts but, until then,
This is an amazing post! The format of your explanations is clear, coherent and keeps the reader engaged. I agree with the categorization of the superiority theory and it is a very insightful observation to see how it can be viewed as equally humorous from both types of audience.
ReplyDeleteOf course my male brain now opens up the box with this question: what is the theory that explains it? Or perhaps this shows I have more of a woman brain in that I am asking for connections between the boxes?
ReplyDelete