Posted on 12/21/2007 7:25:57 PM PST by blam
Scientist claims men are funnier than women
By Nick Britten
Last Updated: 1:40am GMT 22/12/2007
Men are more naturally funny than women, according to a male scientist who says men make more jokes and the gags tend to be more aggressive.
As part of his research Professor Sam Shuster, of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, rode a unicycle around Newcastle upon Tyne and judged the reaction of 400 onlookers.
Comedians Victoria Wood and Peter Kay
He said 75 per cent of male respondents made snide comments such as "Lost your wheel?" and jeered, while few women made cutting remarks and tended to make encouraging, praising comments.
Men were also more likely to comment and young men were the most aggressive, Prof Shuster told the British Medical Journal. The older the men were, the mellower were their comments.
Previous research has suggested women and men differ in how they use and appreciate humour, and it backs Prof Shuster's findings that suggest men are more likely to use humour aggressively by making others the butt of the joke.
Prof Shuster said he believed humour develops from aggression caused by male hormones. The simplest explanation, he said, is the effect of male hormones such as testosterone.
"The difference between the men and women was absolutely remarkable and consistent," said Prof Shuster.
"At 11-13 years, the boys began to get really aggressive. Into puberty, the aggression became more marked, then it changed into a form of joke. The men were snide."
He added that the initial aggressive intent seems to become channelled into a more subtle and sophisticated joke, so the aggression is hidden by wit.
Dr Nick Neave, a psychologist at the University of Northumbria who has studied the physical, behavioural and psychological effects of testosterone, said men might respond aggressively because they see the other unicycling man as a threat, attracting female attention away from themselves.
"This would be particularly challenging for young males entering the breeding market. It does not surprise me that their responses were the more threatening," he said.
The research was dismissed by one of the country's leading stand-up comics. John Moloney, who works on the club circuit, said: "In 21 years on the circuit I have never noticed men being funnier.
"I think the testosterone leads men to be more naturally aggressive but not necessarily funnier.
"The difference is that if a group of women were together and the conversation lulls, they don't automatically start telling jokes, which men do, and then it becomes a bit of a competition. But that doesn't mean to say they are funnier."
Two years ago, researchers at Stanford University claimed there was a gender divide in appreciating humour. Studies of brain patterns suggested women place a greater emphasis on the language, employing a more analytical approach and less on the punchline.
A misleading headline.
Trying to be funny and actually being funny are two different things.
I think this “male scientist” is playing a joke on the people who are paying his salary.
Who’s to say aggressive humour is funnier humour?
Oh.
Men.
Brit men.
With underwear on their heads, no doubt.
Have you heard about corduroy pillows?
They’re making headlines all over!
Nothin’ new, really: Women nurture, men prod. It makes for a working team.
While I don’t know about entire genders, I would have to say that I have never met a woman as funny as I am. Or as modest. Or handsome.
This is a serious finding!
Nuff said …
HA!
Benny Hill lives on!!
Next, a scientist is going to discover that Jews are funnier than gentiles!
A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.
A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.
A man’s home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
A pessimist’s blood type is always B-negative.
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.
Banning the bra was a big flop.
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
Corduroy pillows are making headlines.
Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.
Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery.
I fired my masseuse today. She rubbed me the wrong way.
I used to be a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the axe.
I used to work in a blanket factory, but it folded.
If electricity comes from electrons... does morality come from morons?
Is a book on voyeurism a peeping tome?
Marriage is the mourning after the knot before.
My wife really likes to make pottery, but to me it’s just kiln time.
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
Reading whilst sunbathing makes you well-red.
Sea captains don’t like crew cuts.
Shotgun wedding - a case of wife or death.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I.
When you dream in color, it’s a pigment of your imagination.
Without geometry, life is pointless.
A very astute and impressive observation.
I’m stealing those.
come on....don’t get defensive. If you really think that wimmins are funnier than mens then....oh nevermind. You can’t be serious.
come on val....men are programmed to perform. we have to earn our right at the mating table. you guys get to sit back and just pick amongst us.
Guy could be in more trouble than a cartoonist doing sketches of mohammed.
LOL
I thought the same thing... :)
He’s probably a fag!
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