Christie Davies

Christie Davies is a British sociologist, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Reading, England, the author of many articles and books on criminology, the sociology of morality, censorship, and humor. He has also been visiting professor in India, Poland, United States, and Australia.[1][2]

Humor research

In his 2002 book, The Mirth of the Nations, he criticizes the theories which derive humor from conflict and superiority, and argues instead that they are a form of play - a play with aggression, superiority, and taboo-breaking. He also argues against the Freudian theory about Jewish jokes being mostly self-deprecating, claiming that instead they are based on the cultural tradition of analytical thinking and self-awareness. American folklorist Alan Dundes called the book "the provocative critique of previous scholarship on the subject".[1]

Davies is past president of the International Society for Humor Studies.[3]

Books

References