The role of humor and folklore themes in psychotherapy
- 1 December 1980
- journal article
- Published by American Psychiatric Association Publishing in American Journal of Psychiatry
- Vol. 137 (12) , 1546-1549
- https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.137.12.1546
Abstract
In the alternation of deconstitution and constitution that is fundamental to human life, humor has a useful role, mainly as a deconstituting force, whereas folklore emphasizes the revitalization of existence. Yet humor can be harmful in situations where there is a lack of mutual respect, and it can be growth-retarding if it becomes a substitute for needed change. The effectiveness of humor and folklore themes is proportional to the genuineness of the interpersonal relationship. In folklore, humor reinforces the injunction to seek wider worlds beyond the one that has become monotonous and stifling. Humor and folklore themes can, therefore, prove helpful when used judiciously in psychotherapy.Keywords
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