Transforming Thought: The Role of Humor in Teaching

10 Pages Posted: 29 Jan 2002

See all articles by Robert F. Bruner

Robert F. Bruner

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business

Date Written: January 2002

Abstract

Mrs. Teasdale: "I was with my husband to the very end."

Groucho Marx: "Huh! No wonder he passed away."

Mrs. Teasdale: "I held him in my arms and kissed him."

Groucho Marx: "Oh, I see. Then it was murder." -- Duck Soup, 1933

"This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought." -- Lin Yutang

In his classic film, Duck Soup, Groucho Marx transforms a widow's conventional words of sorrow into a take-off on the American phrase, "If looks could kill..." He shows how humor can change the way one thinks about problems and situations. Lin Yutang calls the transformational effect of humor, "chemical," suggesting the effect of a catalyst, perhaps silent but inexorable and often dramatic. Teaching is all about transforming a student's thinking. Therefore, humor belongs in the teaching toolkit, and deserves to be used frequently.

The problem is that the substance of what most instructors have to teach isn't very funny. Effective use of humor, therefore, must rely on delivery. Nothing in one's professional training prepares for this. Yet great teachers display the ability to use humor effectively in the pursuit of learning. Where does one acquire such skills? How should humor be used? What traps are to be avoided? This column reflects on these and related questions.

Suggested Citation

Bruner, Robert F., Transforming Thought: The Role of Humor in Teaching (January 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=298761

Robert F. Bruner (Contact Author)

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 6550
Charlottesville, VA 22906-6550
United States

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.darden.edu/brunerb/

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