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Toward a Quantum Theory of Humor Gabora, Liane; Kitto, Kirsty

Abstract

This paper proposes that cognitive humor can be modeled using the mathematical framework of quantum theory. We begin with brief overviews of both research on humor, and the generalized quantum framework. We show how the bisociation of incongruous frames or word meanings in jokes can be modeled as a linear superposition of a set of basis states, or possible interpretations, in a complex Hilbert space. The choice of possible interpretations depends on the context provided by the set-up vs. the punchline of a joke. We apply the approach to a verbal pun, and consider how it might be extended to frame blending. An initial study of that made use of the Law of Total Probability, involving 85 participant responses to 35 jokes (as well as variants), suggests that the Quantum Theory of Humor (QTH) proposed here provides a viable new approach to modeling humor.

Item Metadata

Title
Toward a Quantum Theory of Humor
Creator
Gabora, Liane; Kitto, Kirsty
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Date Issued
2017-01-26
Description
This paper proposes that cognitive humor can be modeled using the mathematical framework of quantum theory. We begin with brief overviews of both research on humor, and the generalized quantum framework. We show how the bisociation of incongruous frames or word meanings in jokes can be modeled as a linear superposition of a set of basis states, or possible interpretations, in a complex Hilbert space. The choice of possible interpretations depends on the context provided by the set-up vs. the punchline of a joke. We apply the approach to a verbal pun, and consider how it might be extended to frame blending. An initial study of that made use of the Law of Total Probability, involving 85 participant responses to 35 jokes (as well as variants), suggests that the Quantum Theory of Humor (QTH) proposed here provides a viable new approach to modeling humor.
Subject
bisociation; context; humor; incongruity; law of total probability; pun; quantum cognition; quantum interaction
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2018-01-12
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
DOI
10.14288/1.0363020
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/64352
Affiliation
Arts and Sciences, Irving K. Barber School of (Okanagan); Non UBC; Psychology, Department of (Okanagan)
Citation
Gabora, L., & Kitto, K. (2017). Toward a Quantum Theory of Humor. Frontiers in Physics, 4.
Publisher DOI
10.3389/fphy.2016.00053
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International