Study: Satire Can Do More Damage Than Direct Criticism

Satire could do more damage than a direct comment, researchers from Santa Clara University and Northwestern University found. Researchers analyzed 100,000 social media comments and found funny critiques, like those found in viral memes, may cause more harm to the target’s reputation. This could be because satirical posts can reduce a person into exaggerated traits. “Dehumanization exists on a spectrum and can include things like forgetting that others have complex emotions and feelings,” researcher Hooria Jazaieri said. (Study Finds)