Toward a quantum theory of humor

Gabora, L; Kitto, K

Toward a quantum theory of humor

Gabora, L Kitto, K

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Frontiers in Physics, 2017, 4 (JAN)
Issue Date:: 2017-01-26

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Gabora, L	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kitto, K https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7642-7121	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-01-26	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Frontiers in Physics, 2017, 4 (JAN)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/124834
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Gabora and Kitto. 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.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Physics	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3389/fphy.2016.00053	en_US
dc.title	Toward a quantum theory of humor	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	JAN	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.for	1702 Cognitive Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	0102 Applied Mathematics	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Teaching and Learning)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Teaching and Learning)/Connected Intelligence Centre
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	JAN	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	4	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Gabora and Kitto. 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.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/124834