Humour as a Cognitive and Affective Phenomenon: Neural Mechanisms and Educational Implications
Speaker: Mirella Manfredi (Universität Zürich)
Abstract
This seminar will address humour as a multifaceted phenomenon at the intersection of evolution, neuroscience, and education. We will first consider its evolutionary and social foundations, highlighting evidence from primatology and cognitive theories such as the incongruity-resolution model. We will then examine neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies that have identified distinct brain regions involved in humour comprehension and appreciation, as well as electrophysiological findings that shed light on the temporal dynamics of humour processing. Finally, we will discuss empirical evidence on the impact of humour in educational contexts, demonstrating its benefits for student engagement, memory, and psychological well-being. Together, these insights underscore the relevance of humour not only as a universal form of human expression but also as a cognitive and affective resource with significant implications for learning and mental health.
Everyone interested is welcome to attend.
The meeting will be held in English.
Participation is strongly recommended for students of the Doctoral School in Philosophy and Human Sciences and for students of the Doctoral School “The Human Mind and its Explanations: Language, Brain, and Reasoning”.
Where: Online
When: 15/10/2025 – 16:00 CET
Attendance: Attendance is free and open to all, but registration is needed by email [angelica.kaufmann@unimi.it]