We Joke, We Joke, But Why?

Key points

Safe “benign violations” make pranks playful, not harmful.

Shared laughter from pranks strengthens bonds and lowers stress.

Planning gentle pranks fuels savoring and lifts the prankster’s mood.

Rules: never punch down; keep it reversible, inclusive, and brief.

Here’s a case for the harmless, well-timed practical joke as a tiny intervention for social and emotional health—good for the target, good for the team, and (quietly) great for the joker.

Why jokes can be “prosocial mischief”

Humor researchers argue that something is funny when it’s both a “violation” and clearly benign—a safe breach of expectation (e.g., the stapler that’s been Jell-O-molded but unharmed, the Zoom background that turns your colleague’s office into a moon base). This benign-violation account helps