Benign Violation

resource Benign Violation Theory from the Human Research Lab --- https://leeds-faculty.colorado.edu/mcgrawp/pdf/Benign_Violation_Theory.html

--- https://youtu.be/ysSgG5V-R3U

the benign violation theory stipulates that humor occurs when and only when a situation is simultaneously perceived as benign and as a violation

example

• tickling a friend is a benign violation --- physically threatening yet harmless therefore funny
• tickling oneself is strictly benign --- not threatening therefore not funny
• tickling a stranger is a malign violation --- not harmless therefore not funny

example

• stumbling down stairs is a benign violation --- unexpected yet harmless therefore funny
• walking down stairs is strictly benign --- not unexpected therefore not funny
• falling down stairs is a malign violation --- not harmless therefore not funny