Published Dec 8, 2015

Episode 12: Humor

Host Shankar Vedantam and comedian Bill Burr delve into the psychology of laughter, examining its role as a social signal and psychological tool, while tackling the complex interplay between humor, gender norms, and societal boundaries. Together, they explore how comedy can both challenge societal taboos and offer comfort, providing a nuanced look at its power to reveal unconscious attitudes.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

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Dexa/Shankar Vedantam

Episode 12: Humor

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Laughter and Uncomfortable Truths

Humor and Violence

Humor and Gender Bias

Absurdity in Comedy

Humor's Fine Line

The Science of Laughter

Humor and Boundaries

Comedy and Catharsis

Episode Highlights

Psychology of Laughter

Humor as Catharsis

Gender and Humor

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Laughter: The Best Medicine

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Liar, Liar

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Happiness 2.0: The Path to Contentment

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Episode 59: The Deep Story

Episode 23: Boredom

Where Happiness Hides

Ep. 66: Liar, Liar

Episode 12: Humor

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Psychology of LaughterExploring the intricate role of humor, Shankar Vedantam and Bill Burr discuss how laughter functions as a social signal and a psychological tool. They delve into the ways humor can reveal insights into our emotional and societal landscapes.

Psychology of Laughter

Humor as CatharsisShankar Vedantam explores the intricate relationship between comedy and the human psyche, examining how humor can both challenge and comfort us. Comedian Bill Burr joins the conversation to discuss the fine line between humor and offense.

Humor as Catharsis

Gender and HumorShankar Vedantam and comedian Bill Burr explore the intersection of humor and societal norms, focusing on gender biases and boundary-pushing jokes. They discuss how comedy can reveal unconscious attitudes and challenge social taboos.

Gender and Humor

Related Episodes