The Duchess of Mockery
Understanding Sarcasm and Mockery
Let the science of psychology inform our mindsets about the motives behind caricature sarcasm and mockery. It’s argued that it is the science of wit and humour, but can it produce negative psychological impact on the target of the mockery and wit? Yes of course it can. There are occasions when the intention is not imbued with comic relief but is hurtful scathing and soul destroying.
Sarcasm much like mockery, it’s all about putting the other person or persons down, belittling them and demeaning one of more persons. It is not the hallmark of dignity nor of Royalty,If made in the context of covert aggression ,it only serves to exacerbate its negative impact on the other indivdual’s self worth and self esteem. In other specific contexts sarcasm and ridicule can be seen as ironic commentary but this can be critically damaging,
Why are people sarcastic?
We know from the psychological literature that sarcasm is associated with specific personality traits, above average intelligence and narcissism. The instigator male or female is high on self perceived competences and can utilize their mockery and sarcasm to make a significant point to the intended target. What we need to ask ourselves is … whether or not the sarcasm or ridicule is passive sarcasm designed to be humorous that has the unintentional impact of causing you emotional upset and anger. It may be aggressive sarcasm directly aimed at demeaning you and your status and achievements in life?
If the sarcasm is intended to be comical you may notice that the perpetrator s sarcasm is often self directed. The issue is whether the target person can perceive the real meaning and psychological motives behind the mockery ridicule and sarcasm. My view is that if you realize the sarcasm was intended to be hurtful and demeaning, it may help to know that in some individuals the instigator of the ridicule is not aware of its impact on the targeted individual. In other cases I have seen personally, the intention was often malicious.
Psychologically the instigator of the mockery will use this mechanism to increase their own self attributed power and status when they feel its under threat. In such a scenario they use sarcasm by making you look foolish and by doing so they believe it makes them feel more superior more acceptable than you and more charismatic. This they hope will increase their vertical social mobility based on the constructive use of manipulation as a self serving mechanism.
Action and how to cope with sarcasm.
• If you feel they are damaging your status and its threatening to your self worth and reputation, action must be taken to ask them to stop. It may even have legal implications.
• Do not allow them to trash you and demean you or your family.You have a human right to dignity self respect, besides psychological health and wellbeing.
• I suggest you don’t procrastinate but deal with it immediately it has made you feel foolish or you feel demeaned as a result.
• Show the other person who orchestrated it that you have noted their caricature or immature behaviour and be clear as to how it has made you feel.
• Retaliation works in some but not in all cases. I would point out their motives “ Look here your orchestrated sarcasm and mockery does not work. Please stop it now as it reflects back on your immaturity…”
The Rights and wrongs of Mockery
We are all entitled as humans to see the humour in various situations, humour is good for us cognitively and we all love laughter, but there is line we do not cross.. even in Royalty. When we ridicule someone the psychological motives and intentions must be seen for what they really are. Can we connect the demeaning behaviour to any other previous scenario that gives the perpetrator some form of human right to “threaten” another person by their warped sense of humour? The point is that mockery exacerbates the real status differences between us and them. It has potential to inflate emotions and perpetuate intergroup conflict between individuals and group members. Mockery hurts full stop. The visual images utilized in mockery ie cartoons and caricature can exist in memory for many years. We often approve of ridicule and mockery as it refocuses attention to what is wrong politically in our society or otherwise. It takes our attention away from what is good and makes us feel bad about what is unacceptable in society.
Mockery and Values
It can be argued that ridicule and mockery should be illegal or outlawed… Its an extension of opinion, We are as individuals entitled to our preciously held core values beliefs and attitudes. It’s when our attitudes convert into maladaptive social behaviours that we have to draw a line. We are called to love our neighbour, and do unto others as we have them do unto us. It’s about equity and social justice. Should we keep our values to ourselves ? Values are values but sarcasm ridicule and mockery is high risk in all cultures. Mockery has the capacity to reduce or increase equality. To intentionally mock the more powerful and high status members of society may in time increase equality but its purely amoral.
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