SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Smart alecks take note. New research has found that no one is born with a knowledge of sarcasm.
University of Manitoba Psychology professor Melanie Glenwright completed a six-year study of why children laugh at slapstick cartoons but not perhaps at Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show”. Glenwright found that it takes awhile for children to "get" the non-literal meaning behind sarcastic statements.
The ability to detect sarcasm develops between ages 5 and 6, but children generally don’t recognize humor in the statements until several years later.
“It’s a communicative challenge that children face,” said Glenwright. “Why would someone say something that they don’t mean?”
Glenwright said that the ability to understand sarcasm is a valuable communication tool and is working on ways adults could help children recognize the social cues.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Smart alecks take note. New research has found that no one is born with a knowledge of sarcasm. 
KCBS’ Patti Reising reports on a new study on sarcasm 
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
