Sarcasm is a hit among many people; all 407,000 group members are just a fraction. But why is that? According to mental health counselor Anthony D. Smith, it allows us to mask hostility with humor.
In an article, Smith pointed out that people who use sarcasm may not be able to confront their real emotions. Therefore, they resort to a "cloak-and-dagger" approach to communication.
Smith adds that some people may use sarcasm to help them deal with possible intimacy issues. Apart from allowing them to “expel brewing contempt” in a less hostile manner, it may also serve as a barrier to keeping a distance from people.
He also pointed out other potential issues like pessimism and low self-esteem, which may explain why they react negatively towards people who aren’t fans of sarcastic behavior.
As abrasive as it may be, sarcasm has some known benefits. A report published in Scientific American Magazine revealed that people who engage in sarcastic conversation display higher levels of creativity.
For a sarcastic comment to work, the person must understand the contradictions between literal and actual meanings. This requires some critical and creative thinking.
However, even with its perceived benefits, experts advise using sarcasm sparingly. In an article for Psychology Today, renowned psychologist and lecturer Dr. Clifford Lazarus compared it to adding spice to a dish and how too much can ruin the experience.
“A big or steady serving of sarcasm will overwhelm the emotional flavor of any conversation and can taste very bitter to its recipient,” he wrote.
Dr. Lazarus isn’t entirely against using sarcasm. However, he recommends tweaking the approach and using clever wit instead. As he explained, the primary difference is in the intent.
While sarcasm is meant to sting, witty remarks are more about magnifying an issue's absurdities. The humor involved is usually harmless, not creating any tension.
We’d like to hear from you now. Which of these memes did you connect with the most? And what made them relatable to you? Let’s start a discussion in the comments!
