People Who Understands Sarcasm Well Are Often Good At Reading People’s Mind. They Understand That The Other Has Something Else In Mind.
As much as we, human beings or at least North American human beings, pride ourselves in being really honest and straightforward, we tend to actually be really sardonic and satirical with our language. I am of course talking about sarcasm, and how it has seemed to become an integral part of the way in which we communicate with one another, which, if you really think about it, is rather odd. Sarcasm is basically the use of irony to mock and or show contempt; so again, why has this become so “mainstream” in our communication.
Well one person, a linguist by the name of John Haiman from Macalester College, wrote a book on exactly this subject. The book, entitled “Talk is Cheap: Sarcasm, Alienation and the Evolution of Language” is basically a study of how and why sarcasm has seemed to become our primary mode of language. Basically Haiman explains that one reason that sarcasm has become so popular is that it causes our brains to work.
As sarcasm is a language of loops and turns as opposed to a simple straight forward rendition of communication, it makes us look for greater meaning in a person’s words.
For instance, have you ever noticed that often times people use sarcasm when they are upset by something, but do not want to show it. As such it becomes almost a means of emotional protection; “oh let me say this funny and mean comment so you don’t realize that I’m actually very upset.”
However, as you become more able to understand sarcasm, when it is used, why it is used, and how, you also become better able at understanding people and how their minds are working. As such, it would seem a healthy dose of sarcasm is an effective way of increasing one’s emotional intelligence.
But there is still something to say about the biting nature of sarcasm. Even in understanding these benefits, at its root sarcasm can and is often used as a way to hurt other people’s feelings, and those who do not understand sarcasm are often considered socially inept. So again, I pose the question, why has this become so common? Food for thought.
Also, here’s a really interesting researched article to read: Sarcasm boosts the creativity of the recipient and the one delivering it.
If you enjoy these short factual content, here is a list of articles you can read from Casey, our Psych2Go veteran staff writer:
https://psych2go.net/author/cass0412/
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!
-Cassey
SOURCES
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcasm
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-of-sarcasm-yeah-right-25038/?no-ist
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Humor-helps-emotional-intelligence-But-75300.S.87118984
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200706/field-guide-sarcastic-masters
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070803141811.htm
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