incongruity theory

Incongruity theory suggests that humor arises from the unexpected or mismatched elements in a situation. When something violates our normal expectations—like a punchline that takes an unexpected turn or a play on words—it creates a surprise that can be funny. The brain recognizes the discrepancy between what we anticipate and what actually happens, leading to amusement. This theory helps explain why jokes, puns, and comedic situations often rely on contrasting ideas or absurdities that challenge our usual way of thinking.