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Sarcasm
From CopperWiki
Sarcasm is an intentionally used indirect form of speech aimed at producing a particular dramatic effect on the listener. It is considered by some to be a male-dominated form of communication used mostly among peers.
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[edit] Why should I be aware of this?
Sarcasm is a complex subject as it involves many factors. Sarcasm, the degree of sarcasm, and its effect depends on the amount of exaggeration, nature of the speaker, relationship of speaker to victim, severity of the criticism, and whether or not the criticism is being made in private or in front of an audience. But one common factor regarding sarcasm is that it is a form of ironic speech used to convey implicit criticism with a particular victim as its target.
[edit] How does this affect me?
Among the various styles that people use to communicate with each other, sarcasm is one of the most unique and dangerous.
When sarcasm is directed at me, a process of decoding and interpretation must take place in order to understand what has been said. We have to make an effort to understand the speaker’s intent behind the sarcasm. It could be that the speaker is ridiculing the listener and the listener would not even realize it because he/she would be using his/her own substitution to define the comment.
[edit] All about sarcasm
Sarcasm is mostly considered to be a low form of humor as its intent is generally to get laughs at someone else's expense. The victim may not find it funny to those who understand the barb may do so as it feeds their intellectual egos. Sarcasm is known to require the highest functions of our brains. Areas of the brain that decipher sarcasm and irony also process language, recognize emotions and help understand social cues. Sarcasm is related to our ability to understand other people's mental state so it's not just a linguistic form, it's also related to social cognition.
[edit] Sarcasm and its effects
- A passive-aggressive behavior, sarcasm can appear to be provocative, because it provokes with words and/or actions. If the receiver fails to respond to the sarcastic jabs he may be met with even more sarcasm, until the pressure builds up so much that the victim feel pressured into responding. Either way the victim is affected. He feels inferior if he doesn’t respond, and then sorry by responding. It becomes a helpless situation.
- Sarcasm is a brutal form of communication as it can have the appearance of being both witty and intelligent. Sarcasm doesn’t happen accidentally. It is almost always made with the intention of hurting the person.
- There is both verbal and non-verbal sarcasm. Apart from remarks, sarcastic communicators roll their eyes, sneer, sigh, shake the head and laugh under their breath to infuriate their victims.
- Sarcasm is a judgmental behavior generated from a pessimistic outlook. Social poisoning is one of the sad effects of sarcasm is social positioning. The perpetrator feels superior to the victim and in effect believes that he or she has been elevated in social stature.
