Can Wit Be Learned?
- Wit is a type of humor that requires intelligence. Demonstrating how wit and intelligence are interconnected, the word “wit” is often used as a synonym for mind, reasoning power and intelligence. The lines between humor and insightfulness are often blurred, with some witty comments seeming more clever than funny. Wit is similar to sarcasm, a form of mockery that is used contemptuously and seeks to undermine or destroy something. Wittiness is different in that it does not necessarily insult someone.
- To be witty, people need healthy brains that are capable of processing information and coming up with ideas quickly. Therefore, those who take care of their brains are more likely to make witty comments. However, this is not a process of learning wit, but rather developing the cognitive resources needed to be witty.
- Maturity influences wittiness, since immature jokes are not usually considered witty. Part of the increased wittiness that comes from age is the knowledge that people accumulate. Learning can increase an individual’s wittiness by giving her more things to make witty comments about. In addition, many forms of wit draw on cultural references. Greater knowledge also allows an individual to find other things witty, since fewer things go over their heads. By understanding a topic more thoroughly, that individual has more potential to make quips about it.
- Some people seem to have wittiness and others do not. However, whether someone can learn wit is unknown. People can be taught the fundamentals of wit, such as the fact that it has an element of incongruity. The witty individual says something that is not expected but that makes sense after being stated (See References 1). However, understanding the element of incongruity will not necessarily cause someone to make witty comments.
- People may be able to increase their wittiness by exposing themselves to witty people or writing. Doing so may teach people to identify things that are witty in everyday life. However, some people might use witticisms incorrectly, not realizing the witty comment might be inappropriate at a specific moment. Being witty requires the humorist understand what the reader knows so the wit does not go over the recipient's head. Also, witty people must also consider which comments will not offend others, since those who are offended won't find the comments witty.
