Citation

Lecher-Švarc V. Coll. Antropol. 2017; 41(4): 399-403.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Croatian Anthropological Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper the authors describe and discuss the relationship between humour and suicide. Humour in the context of suicidal and other depressive events is a controversial and, at the first sight, an inappropriate theme. But, the relationship can be found in many ways in the sphere of the so-called black humour. Black humour is the main type of humour used in suicidal themes. There are thousands of caricatures and jokes with this motive that can be successfully used in psychotherapy. The psychotherapeutic value of humour lies in the fact that humour like laughter and sleep can represent normal autoplastic adaptation. But black humour is not only a source of aesthetic experience, as the identification of the humour consumer with the caricaturist or the author of the joke is of basic importance and has a therapeutic value. Look-ing at suicidal caricatures and listening to black humour jokes can produce aversive feelings in a potentially suicidal person and it can explain the attitude of other people toward his/her eventual act. In this way, humour can prevent auto-destructive intentions. © 2017, Croatian Anthropological Society. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Caricatures; Humour; Psychotherapy; Suicide; Wit