Animal Humor
Why Do We Humans Find Animal Behavior So Funny?
Animal-driven humor
Ever wondered why cat videos are so popular? The natural slapstick and physical comedy of animal behavior is a source of instant laughs. The popularity of cats — as well as other animal videos— is proof of this phenomenon.
Whether it’s the antics of a cat, a clumsy dog, or a parroting bird, our non-human counterparts never fail to elicit laughter and amusement. In analyzing why this is so, consider that animals are slightly lesser in intelligence, lack self-awareness, and live instinctually. These are the makings of hilarity from a human perspective.
Animals possess a natural innocence, and their lack of self-awareness can make their actions inherently comical. As self-conscious humans — we learn to filter our behavior to obey social conventions — while animals act purely on instinct. From a cat chasing its tail to a dog falling off the couch, their lack of inhibition invites us to laugh at the simplicity and charm of their actions.
