Compare and contrast the Swarm and Equilibrium theories.
Swarm Theory v Equilibrium Theory
No TrackBacks
TrackBack URL: http://www.psychologicalscience.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-t.cgi/2041
Compare and contrast the Swarm and Equilibrium theories.
TrackBack URL: http://www.psychologicalscience.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-t.cgi/2041
This theory is based on the idea that everything balances out. Humor is a means to do that. It is also used as a defense mechanism which is a large part of the theory. It only applies within any group at the current moment and does not extend beyond that. This theory is all about out groups and in groups and uses humor to create these groups.
Cognitively we have to recognize who these groups are and this theory explains why people use humor as opposed to what humor is.
When something is intended to be funny and people laugh- this is how things are balanced. Also when some think its funny and some don’t- these are the out an in groups created.
The two theories have one major thing in common: they are both highly social. Without this aspect, these theories (and probably all other explanations of humor) would be nothing. Equilibrium theory is the explanation of humor by saying that it is a way to create and maintain balance within a group or one's self. The basis of the theory (to my understanding) is to explain humor. Also, this theory includes using humor as a defense mechanism as a big part of it. The cognitive aspect to this theory is recognizing in groups and out groups.
Swarm theory is more inclusive. The Equilibrium theory can fit into the swarm theory as one aspect of it. The Swarm theory is more encompassing in it's explanation of humor. Incongruity is a major aspect of this theory. Also, groups and social influence play a major role. Cognitively, this theory says you have to recognize a stimulus that will make you laugh or not depending on past experiences.
The SWARM theory to me is as Jim described it, an attempt at a monolithic social model of humor applicable both to small group interactions and entire population trends. It describes humor as a vehicle for interaction. It kind of ignores the individual in it's analysis and focuses on a person's place in a large entity. Humor to SWARM seems innocent and just operates as a method to keep the social structure intact. Individuals may have motives or biases but groups are only defined by how they fly and how their flight pattern fits into the whole swarm that is society.
The Equilibrium theory to me works on a more micro level. It attempts to describe how humor is harnessed in small group situations and has room to speculate about individual differences. The theory holds that humor is a tool used by groups to try to achieve a sense of balance. There is constant pulling in many different directions, but according to the equilibrium people, humor helps to define an "in" group. Everyone wants to be the "in" people, so if they are excluded they create an "in" group of their own. Now there is a balance in a way, two groups constantly trying to include some and exclude others. Equilibrium also describes humor in individual terms, stating that for the most part humor and it's affects are used to restore a personal balance; to relieve tension or stress of some kind.
I think the theories turned out to be one of the best ways to integrate the information in this class, they helped me to make judgements of some information and work with it more. I think both are valid and can be applicable together in many ways.