Title: The Joke's on Who? | Psychology Today
Headings: The Joke's on Who?
William Berry, LMHC., CAP.
The Joke's on Who?
Some argue there is truth in every joke. Not necessarily.

Content: Sarcasm is generally used to put another person down in some way, or at the very least pokes fun at them. Sarcasm is, in all likelihood, the most popular form of humor today. There are far too numerous television programs to count that use sarcasm as a vehicle. A list of the most popular comedy television programs for 2012 indicates the popularity of sarcasm: Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, The Family Guy, Two and a Half Men, and The Simpsons all deploy sarcasm (and, in some cases, cartoon violence) to get laughs. In many cases, this humor comes from a character easily perceived as hostile or angry at the core. There is no doubt that some use sarcasm to mask their underlying anger. Most people can identify someone who uses humor for confrontation on something disagreeable. If the individual is then challenged about his confrontation, he likely backs off and says he was just kidding. This is used to deflect responsibility back on the person who was the brunt of the joke, stating that he is just being sensitive.