The recent unprofessional behavior of two law enforcement officers made the headlines, when the officer’s were caught laughing and joking while reviewing a video of a person being struck by a passing motor vehicle. Needless to say, this behavior led to public outcry and calls for the termination of the officers involved. The ensuing conversations in the law enforcement community regarding this tragedy started with exploring how this incident could have potentially been a teachable moment for all involved and if training would have proved beneficial. The subsequent discussions quickly shifted to justifying a suspension or the termination of the officers, due to their lack of empathy and poor judgement.
That absence of empathy and its impact on the family members who learned of the officers’ behavior brings forth the question of gallows humor and why does it occur? It’s reported through the proverbial grapevine that these two young men (who were rookies and most likely had never witnessed an incident such as this before) were brave, responsive, and competent members of the department.
This article might not taper the ache, but the goal is to provide some important data points and bring to light the compassion necessary for all involved, both for the family and the officers. While reading this article, pause and reflect on your own career and think of when gallows humor was present and was it beneficial in alleviating anxiety to cut through the darkness of the moment, or was it inappropriate, or both?
There is a concept in the mental health field that is common with certain diagnoses and that theory can apply to gallows humor as well. Dialectical thinking is a form of thinking that considers multiple perspectives and the coexistence of opposites. Things can be both inappropriate and healthy at the same time and having contradicting thoughts is ok. So duality of gallows humor is important to acknowledge and explore. Yes, it is inappropriate at times, but at that same time that it’s inappropriate it’s also a healthy coping mechanism.
The macabre is the realm where the eerie and unsettling intertwine, casting a shadow over the familiar and the mundane aspects of everyday life. For some in disturbing incidents, it’s a dance of death and the grotesque, where boundaries between life and its inevitable end blur. Consequently, first responders exist in that world and have to find balance between the dark and the light.
Humor is expressed in a multitude of ways and can, at times, pivot into darkness. When that occurs, we need to be aware that it could be nothing more than a healthy coping technique to deal with the macabre stated above. From surgeons and health care professionals, to police officers, soldiers, firemen, oppressed people, those with terminal illnesses to grave diggers and others involved in a traumatic incident. No one is immune to the darkness of gallows humor. In most cases, they are not mocking the victims, they are instead just trying to process emotions and separate themselves from the gore that surrounds them. This type of response is very common when feeling unnerved by a situation. As an example, the late comic Joan Rivers joked about her husband’s suicide stating ”If you can laugh at it, you can deal with it.”
The psychology of gallows humor lies in the ability to transform dark, uncomfortable, and often shocking situations into a source of relief through laughter. At its core, gallows humor is a coping mechanism-a way to confront and deal with the harsh realities of life, including death, suffering and existential fear. This type of humor, though offensive and crass at times, serves as a shield against the overarching weight of despair, allowing individuals a way to process trauma and anxiety in a more palatable way. While this humor is offensive to some, and rightfully so at times, it speaks to the resilience of the human psyche, which seeks control over the uncontrollable through wit and defiance. Laughter becomes a weapon against the darkness of the situation and a momentary escape from an uncomfortable and often grotesque situation.
Viktor Frankel in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” states that “humor” was one of the soul’s weapons to protect against despair. “Humor can afford an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation.”
Anton Obrdlik discussed humor in wartime and stated it was an “index of strength or morale” when researching oppressed people in dangerous situations and reports it could be linked to intelligence and emotional stability. In 2017, an Austrian study of over 150 volunteers determined that those who understood a multitude of dark jokes scored higher on IQ tests compared to those who didn’t get the humor.
Another example of gallows humor occurred in Utah in 1960, when James W. Rodgers was about to be executed by a firing squad. When asked if he had any final words, he requested a bulletproof vest. His comment is a perfect example of a person applying a witty comment in a hopeless situation. Though the situation was dire, the comment most likely alleviated stress and anxiety, if only for a brief moment.
While gallows humor can offer relief, there have been studies that reveal there are negative psychological impacts as well. Some studies suggest that dark humor can reflect negative emotions such as depression or cynicism. For example, people with a history of trauma or high levels of distress may use gallows humor to deflect feelings of helplessness and prevent them from processing emotions in a healthier, more direct way. Also, one cannot ignore the culture of an organization when exploring the occurrence and impact of gallows humor. What ownership does the organization as a whole and its culture accept when dealing with this type of coping technique?
It has been researched and proven that professionals working in careers involving death, crisis and trauma face many occupational stressors and are at risk for increased negative mental and emotional outcomes. (Johnson et al. 2005; Rocha et al 2020). The function that dark humor plays in these occupational contexts varies in the literature, and it has been suggested to be a method of coping as well as an expression of group dynamics between coworkers and between worker and patient (Rowe & Regehr, 2010; Vivian 2014; Watson 2011; Wear et al. 2006).
Sigmund Freud often examined the theory behind humor (Freud, 1905; Freud 1928). Freud not only labels humor as a defense mechanism, like repression and denial, but goes one step further, stating it to be “the highest of these defensive processes”. Another study called “The Relief theory of humor” views humor as a means of personal relief from energy trapped within the nervous system (Atkinson, 2006).
An additional study showed that emergency personnel have been known to psychologically and emotionally distance themselves from patients in order to protect their mental health, and increase focus on the task at hand during a crisis situation (Bouchard, 2016; Wanzer et al., 2005)
There is extensive research on “the theory of humor” and on dark humor, below are a few to help expound on gallows humor.
-Superiority theory states that we find things funny by asserting dominance over the mocked item. It’s a way for one to put on armor to protect oneself from a traumatic hellscape.
-Relief theory states we laugh to relieve anxiety.
-Benign violation theory says that jokes are a way to safely violate the macabre.
In Elie Wiesels book, “Night,” gallows humor is referenced when it was stated where a day’s food was left over bread and a cup of spoiled soup, one prisoner cautions a fellow inmate against gluttony, “Hey Moshe, don’t overeat. Think of us who will have to carry you.”
Lastly, another example is when the British war correspondent Phillip Gibbs wrote, “It was astonishing how loudly one laughed at tales of gruesome things, of war’s brutality – I, with the rest of them. I think at the bottom of it was a sense of the ironical contrast between the normal ways of civilian life, and this hark back to the caveman code. It was laughter of mortals at the trick which had been played on them by an ironical tale.”
In conclusion, you must know your audience and the impact that gallows humor can have on surviving family members and the public. Overall research on gallows humor indicates it’s a complex multifaceted response to the challenges of life and death, with varying effects depending on the individual and the context in which it’s used. The effectiveness of gallows humor depends on context, audience and intent, as it can either foster solidarity or alienate those involved. When used thoughtfully and empathetically, gallows humor can be a powerful tool for emotional survival, but it requires careful consideration of its potential impact on others.