hood_lit review final revisions (3) 2016-lp2.docx

8/17/2019 Hood_Lit Review Final Revisions (3) 2016-LP2.docx

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OVERNIGHT SENSATION OF AN IMAGE: A Textual Analysis of The Grumpy Cat

(Positive Effects of Huo! " #o$ination of %au&'te! Sa!casFacetiousness #uteness an)

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Ove!ni&'t Sensation of an Ia&e: A Textual Analysis of The Grumpy Cat


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%ucille E+ Hoo)

,ueens -nive!sity of #'a!lotte

./01


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Ove!ni&'t Sensation of an Ia&e: A Textual Analysis of The Grumpy Cat


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Abstract

The Grumpy Cat 2'enoenon 'as &a!ne!e) suc' a )e&!ee of 2o2ula!ity an) 'as $ecoe

vi!al )ue to a useful an) 2ositive co$ination of 'uo!ous tec'ni3ues an) !'eto!ical o)es of

2e!suasion co$ine) in a uni3ue an) 'ealt'y 2latfo!+ T'is 2latfo! is use) to 2!esent essa&es

to a 2u$lic au)ience t'at can use lau&'te! an) 'uo! as a t'e!a2eutic et'o) to 'eal an) !etain

2ositive effects eotionally an) 2'ysically )ue to t'e s2ecific fo! of 'uo! use)+

T'e !esea!c' con)ucte) lite!atu!e !evie4 an) analysis 2e!fo!e) !esult 4it' a soli)

&!oun) to stan) on in a!&uent fo! t'e G!u2y #at5s 'uo! !elayin& a soun) essa&e in an

et'ical 4ay to its au)ience 4'ile 2!o)ucin& 2ositive effects to4a!) t'e au)ience as 4ell+ G!u2y

cat is et'ical 2ositive an) facetious in 'e! a!!an&eent of 'uo!ous essa&es 4'ic' !esult in a

successful )elive!y to t'ousan)s of 2eo2le 4'o 'ave !eceive) 'e! online 2!esence 4it' 6oy an)

'ave cause) 'e! 2e!sonality an) ia&e to &o vi!al online+


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Introduction

7it' 'e! 'u&e eyes fu!!y featu!es an) )is&!untle) ex2!ession The Grumpy Cat, )!a4s

au)ience attention $ecause s'e is cute facetious an) )elive!s an i!!efuta$le essa&e of 'uo!

4it' 'e! o4n style et'o) an) tec'ni3ue:

As anIn t'ei! int!o)uction to Who Laughs at What? , A!t'u! 8e!&e! an) Aa!on 7il)avs9y

(0;* note: t'at HHuo! 'as !eaine) an eni&a t'!ou&'out t'e a&es+ Many of t'e &!eatest

t'in9e!s aon& t'e A!istotle (4'o is su22ose) to 'ave 4!itten a $oo9 on t'e

su$6ect no4 lost* Plato Ho$$es ?ant Sc'o2en'aue! 8e!&son an) F!eu) 'ave


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s2eculate) a$out 4'at 'uo! is 'o4 it 4o!9s an) 4'y 2eo2le lau&'+ Huo! still

!eains a su$6ect of consi)e!a$le cont!ove!sy even t'ou&' in !ecent yea!s 4e

'ave $e&un to !eco&ni@e its nue!ous 2o4e!s an) t'e !ole it 2lays in ou! lives

(8e!&e! B 7il)avs9y (0;* 2+C.*+ *+


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an) cultu!al value of a 'uo!ous ee t'is 2a2e! exaines1 The Grumpy Cat i)eal an)

2'enoenon sta!te) in ./00. t'at t'at 4as c!eate) online in ./0. 'as t'eo!etically co$ine)

any of)!a4s on all of t'ese att!i$utes o! o)es f!o t'ese stu)iesan) !olls t'e into into one

2ac9a&e+ T'e &!u2y cat5s !eal nae is Ta!)a! Sauce an) s'e is a feale sno4s'oe cat o4ne) $y

Ta$at'a 8un)esen ($!ee)*+ He! fae officially $e&anHe! sto!y sta!te) 4'en 'e! o4ne! Ta$at'a

8un)esen5s $!ot'e! 8!yan )eci)e) to 2oste) 2ictu!es of 'e! annoye) facial ex2!essions on ant'e

online essa&e $oa!) calle) 2e""it (8+?i ./0*:


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successfully t'at s'e 'as 'e! >o4n Face$oo9 2a&e+ 6ust $y oA 2e!son si2ly nee)s to &lancene

visual loo9 at The Grumpy Cat 2osin& on 'e! o4n o! 6uxta2ose) 4it' a ca2tion'e! an) even

o!e so 4'en text is 6uxta2ose) 4it' 'e! ia&e to c!eate a eeDDto $e&in to sile o! lau&'+

In)ee) t'e ees a!e so 2o2ula! it is safe to say t'at any 2eo2le 4oul) a&!ee t'at The

Grumpy Cat e$o)ies 'uo! in a successful 4ay an) offe!s a 'i&' level of satisfaction an)

ente!tainent to its au)ience+ T'is 2a2e! 4ill ex2lo!e 'o4 t'is 'as 'a22ene)t'e natu!e of t'is

success $y con)uctin& a textual analysis on a s2ecific set of ia&es an) ees to 4'ic'

t'ousan)s of 2eo2le 'ave !es2on)e) on The Grumpy Cat 5s ia&es onlineFace$oo9 2a&e'i&'lyD

li9e) an) !es2on)e) to ia&es o! ees (ia&e text* on social e)ia 2latfo! Face$oo9 + The

Grumpy Cat I $elieve t'e i)ea of G!u2y #at is 2!ovi)es Face$oo9Inte!net uuse!s 4it' a cute

'ealt'y sou!ce of 'uo! lau&'te! an) sa!cas 4'ile 9ee2in& a t'at 'uo! 4it'in a 'i&' et'ical

3uality stan)a!) of o!al et'ics+

Literature Review

T'e 2u!2ose of t'is stu)y is to a)vance t'e un)e!stan)in& of 4'at a9es The Grumpy

Cat soet'in& so 'uo!ous t'at t'ousan)s of 2eo2le 4ill 2ositively !es2on) to it in an instant

4it' lau&'te! + 7'at a9es The Grumpy Cat suc' an online 2'enoenon t'at 2eo2le 4oul)

consi)e! 'uo!ous 4'en t'e ve!y ia&e of t'is cat 'as a f!o4n on it+ I 2!o2ose t'at The Grumpy

Cat G!u2y #at 'asoffe!s au)ience e$e!s a 'ealt'y co$ination of att!i$utes o! o)es t'at

ee!&e f!o va!ious sou!ces of 'uo! stu)ies !an&in& f!o et'ics to lau&'te! an) a cuteness

facto! t'at a9es 'e! a 3uality successful sou!ce of 'a!lessin fact $eneficial DD

ente!tainent an) 6oy+ Ot'e! as2ects 'ave $een stu)ie) a$out 'uo! t'at can !eflect 2ositive an)


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ne&ative effects on in)ivi)uals I 'ave not seen a stu)y a$out 'uo! focusin& on an iconic event

o! i)eal t'at coul) )!a4 t'ousan)s of 2eo2le to it in suc' a liite) tie f!ae an) 2!ovi)e

2ositive effects to4a!) its !eci2ients+

My fi!st !es2onse is t'at The Grumpy Cat $ecae 2o2ula! $ecause s'e is cute+ 7it' 'e!

'u&e eyes fu!!y featu!es an) )is&!untle) ex2!ession The Grumpy Cat, )!a4s au)ience attention

$ecause fi!st of all s'e is cute li9e #a$$a&e Patc' )olls 4e!e cute+ 7'y )oes t'e visual att!i$ute

of >cuteness att!act 2eo2le+ My secon) !es2onse is t'at once ot'e! si&nifie!s suc' as costues

o! ca2tions a!e a))e) to t'e ia&e of t'e cat a Grumpy Cat ee )!a4s u2on t'eo!ies of

'uo! sa!casfactiousness et'ics an) even att!activeness a&ain t'at &ene!ate au)ience

!es2onses of lau&'te!+ T'e lite!atu!e !evie4 $e&ins 4it' ex2lo!in& t'e att!i$ute of >cute+ T'is

T'en t'e lite!atu!e !evie4 4ill !efe! s toence 2!evious stu)ies an) 2!esent va!ious vie4s of 'uo!

f!o 2!io! !esea!c' an) analyses containin&t'at $ot' 2ositive an) ne&ative as2ects of t'e effects

of 'uo!+ It 4ill also !evie4 4'at a9es a 2e!son )!a4n to soet'in& t'at is >cute t'!ou&'

evaluation an) stu)ies of ?in)c'ensc'ea o! 8a$y Sc'eatics 4'ic' can cause a)ults o!

c'il)!en to !es2on) to infants an)Jo! anials 4it' ca!e ta9in& $e'avio!+ T'is info!ation 4ill

t'en illust!ateexaine 'o4 'uo! su!!oun)in& 4o!9s in any 4ays an) se!ve as t'e sta!tin&

2oint fo! un)e!stan)in& The Grumpy Cat 2'enoenon is !elevant to t'ese i)eas an) t'eo!ies+

What Is “Cute”?


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7'at )efines >cute Acco!)in& to %ittle (./0.* >P'ysical t!aits t'at a!e c'a!acte!istic of

'uan infants a!e !efe!!e) to as K$a$yDsc'ea5 (e+&+ %o!en@ 0;* an) t'e!e is a lon& 'isto!y to

t'e notion t'at suc' t!aits i&'t influence t'e 2e!ce2tion of cuteness an) elicit ca!e &ivin& f!o

a)ults (2+LL*+ %o!en@ (cite) in Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! ./0* state):

T'e 4in"chenschema is c'a!acte!i@e) $y 2e)oo!2'ic featu!es suc' as a

!elatively la!&e 'ea) co2a!e) to t'e si@e of t'e $o)y a !elatively $i& c!aniu

co2a!e) to t'e facial $ones la!&e eyes t'at lie $elo4 t'e 'o!i@ontal i)line of

t'e s9ull a softDelastic su!face textu!e an) !oun) 2!ot!u)in& c'ee9s+ Infants t'at

confo! to t'e 4in"chenschema a!e coonly )esc!i$e) as cute an) evo9e

2ositive affective a22!oac' $e'avio! (2+ 0*+

7'ile $ot' stu)ies $ase) t'ei! assu2tions on %o!en@ (0;* Golle et al+ (./0* focuse)

on 2e!ce2tual a)a2tation acco!)in& to t'e s2ecific t!aits )esc!i$e) in 4in"chenschema to

)ete!ine 4'at a9es soet'in& cute 4'e!eas %ittle (./0;* >systeatically va!ie) t'e

2!o2o!tion of a)ultD an) $a$yface)ness in cats 'uan $a$ies an) a)ults $y a22!oxiatin& t'ei!

s'a2e to 'uan a)ult an) $a$y co2osite faces (%ittle as cite) $y Golle et al+ ./0*+

Inte!estin&ly es2ecially 4it' !e&a!) to 'uan en&a&eent 4it' Grumpy Cat %ittle5s

(cite) in Golle et al+ ./0* cutenessD!atin&s !eveale) t'at 2eo2le assesse) $ot' cat an) 'uan

faces cute! 4'en t'ei! s'a2e !ecalle) t'e s'a2e of a 'uan $a$y face co2a!e) to a 'uan a)ult

face: >T'us facial s'a2e a)o2te) f!o 'uan infants (sall 6a4 la!&e fo!e'ea)* influence) t'e

cuteness evaluation of cat faces (2+ 0*+ Ove!all t'e conclusion of $ot' stu)ies foun) t'at t'e

sae att!i$utes t'at ex2lain 4'at a9es a $a$y cute can also ex2lain 4'at a9es a )o& o! a cat


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cute+ Golle et al+ (./0*+ Fu!t'e! 8o!&i #o&liatiDe@@a 8!elsfo!) Meints an) #i!ulli (./0;*

a&!ee) t'at 4in"chenschema 2lays an inte&!al !ole in t'e 4ay 2eo2le )ete!ine 4'et'e! o! not a

face is consi)e!e) cute $e&innin& ea!ly in 'uan lives (2+ C*+

Humor as “Cute”

7'at )efines >cute Acco!)in& to %ittle (./0.* >P'ysical t!aits t'at a!e c'a!acte!istic of

'uan infants a!e !efe!!e) to as K$a$yDsc'ea5 (e+&+ %o!en@ 0;* an) t'e!e is a lon& 'isto!y to

t'e notion t'at suc' t!aits i&'t influence t'e 2e!ce2tion of cuteness an) elicit ca!e &ivin& f!o

a)ults (2+LL*+ %o!en@ (cite) in Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! ./0* state):

T'e 4in"chenschema is c'a!acte!i@e) $y 2e)oo!2'ic featu!es suc' as a !elatively la!&e

'ea) co2a!e) to t'e si@e of t'e $o)y a !elatively $i& c!aniu co2a!e) to t'e facial

$ones la!&e eyes t'at lie $elo4 t'e 'o!i@ontal i)line of t'e s9ull a softDelastic su!face

textu!e an) !oun) 2!ot!u)in& c'ee9s+ Infants t'at confo! to t'e 4in"chenschema a!e

coonly )esc!i$e) as cute an


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s'a2e to 'uan a)ult an) $a$y co2osite faces (%ittle as cite) $y Golle et al+ ./0*+


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"au&hter and in turn offer the benefit of a moment of 'o# In 'is 2oi&nant a!ticle >Nu!sin& an) t'e #oic Mas9 Sc'unio! (0C* tells t'e sto!y of

a )yin& oncolo&y 2atient Hen!y 4'o tells t'e follo4in& 6o9e to 'is ca!e&ive!s a$out t4o

iniste!s eetin& St+ Pete! at t'e Pea!ly Gates:

So t'en St+ Pete! tol) t'e Met'o)ist iniste! >ou love) oney so uc' you a!!ie)

a 4oan nae) Gol)ie+ 7e can5t let you in+ So t'e 8a2tist iniste! tu!ne) to 'is 4ife

an) sai) >%et5s &o Fanny ain5t no use ou! 4aitin& in t'is line

Aa@in&ly t'is 2atient foun) 'uo! as a et'o) of co2in& 4it' 'is o4n 2e!sonal 2ain

an) ana&e) to ente!tain 'is ca!e&ive!s at t'e en) of 'is life (2+CC*+

I $elieve t'e!e is t!ut' to t'e fact t'at t'e!e a!e ties 4'en 'uo! ay $e ina22!o2!iate

'o4eve! in t'is exa2le I can see t'e value of t'e 2atient5s nee) fo! lau&'te!+ >Huo! is an

i2o!tant 2a!t of t'e 'uan con)ition4e Klau&' until 4e c!y5 (Mooney .///*+ T'at stateent

'as a lite!al eleent to it as evi)ence 'as $een s'o4n to 2!ove t'at 'uo! )oes 'ave

2'ysiolo&ical effects on t'e 'uan $o)y+ Mooney (.///* notes t'e follo4in& !e&a!)in& t'is

atte!: >7illia F!y Q!+ (0C1* a 2'ysician 4'o 'as stu)ie) t'e 2'ysiolo&y of lau&'te! fo!

any yea!s tells us t'at Ki!t' an) its i!t'ful $e'avio! 'ave an i2act on ost of t'e

2'ysiolo&ic systes of t'e $o)y5 " $y inc!easin& t'e !es2i!ato!y activity an) oxy&en !ate

inc!easin& uscula! activity an) 'ea!t !ate an) inc!easin& t'e 2!o)uction of catec'olaines in


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t'e $o)y+ %au&'te! 'e says is an Kae!o$ic ex2e!ience5 an inte!nal stationa!y 6o&&in& (7illia

F!y Q!+ as cite) $y Mooney ./// 2+C*+

T'e fact t'at lau&'te! 'as suc' a 2ositive effect on t'e 'uan $o)y in t'e i)st of

ne&ative ci!custances !einfo!ces t'e 2!actical use of 'uo! as a t'e!a2eutic tool+ %au&'te! can

even 'el2 inc!ease ou! en)o!2'in levels >fo! exa2le lau&'in& 4it' a &!ou2 of f!ien)s t'e

scent of f!es' flo4e!s o! t'e si&'t of a ne4$o!n $a$y+ T'ese t'in&s a9e us sile $loc9 ou!

)aily t!ou$les fo! a fe4 oents an) &ene!ally a9e us 'a22y (Mooney .///*+ 7'y )o 4e lau&' an) >7'at a9es us lau&'

T'e!e a!e fFou! t'eo!ies of 'uo! t'at 'ave $een focuse) u2on&ui)e t'ese 3uestions: 'o4eve! I

4ill )iscuss t'!ee of t'e fou! 4'ic' a!e: (0* Incon&!uity T'eo!y (.* Su2e!io!ity T'eo!y (*

#o&nitive counication2!ocessin& t'eo!y an) (;* F!eu)5s Psyc'oanalytic J A&&!ession t'eo!y+

Of all fou! t'e ost 4i)ely acce2te) of t'ese is t'e incon&ruit theor (8e!&e! .// ./0

8e!&e! ./0 8e!&e! B 7il)avs9y 0;*+ T'e incon&!uity t'eo!y T'is t'eo!y of 'uo! ex2lains

su&&ests t'at >t'e!e is a )iffe!ence $et4een 4'at 4e ex2ect an) 4'at 4e &et in 6o9es ca!toons


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2lays an) ot'e! 'uo!ous 4o!9s (8e!&e! .// 2+ .0/*+ Essentially t'e eleent of su!2!ise

can cause lau&'te! + 4'en an in)ivi)ual is cau&'t off &ua!)+ T'is tells us 4'ySo 4e ay lau&' at

soet'in& incon&!uous 4e ay lau&' $ut eac' of us is so uni3ue t'at so t'e!e is no 4ay to

2in2oint exactly 4'at soeone i&'t lau&' at o! 4'en +4'en an in)ivi)ual isi&'t $e cau&'t off

&ua!)+

A secon) a!&ua$le t'eo!y of 'uo! is t'e Ssuperiorit theor 4'ic' &ene!ally

statessu&&ests t'at a 2e!son2eo2le lau&' $ecause t'ey can feel a sense of su2e!io!ity >a$out t'ose

(2eo2le anials o$6ects* t'ey lau&' at (8e!&e! B 7il)avs9y 0; 2+ C.*+ Su2e!io!ity t'eo!y

ex2lains 4'y T'e exa2le of a 2e!son sli22in& on a $anana 2eel is 2!esente) funny " u2on

vie4in& t'is one 4oul)2eo2le lau&' >$ecause fo! a oent 4e 4'o 'ave not lost ou! $alance

feel su2e!io! to t'at 2e!son (8e!&e! B 7il)avs9y 0;2+ C.*+ T'is info!ation 2!ovi)es

!easonin& as to >4'at 4e i&'t lau&' at $ut Oonce a&ain soe 4e a!e so in)ivi)uals t'at one

i&'t consi)e! suc' an inci)ent as suc' ve!y 'uo!ous 4'ile anot'e! ot'e!s ay !es2on) 4it'

conce!n an) e2at'y !at'e! t'at lau&'te!+ 8ot' outcoes 4oul) !eflect eit'e! a 2ositive effect if

consi)e!e) 'uo!ous o! a ne&ative one if not+Sc'ola!s an) analysts )o not su&&est a !eason fo!

t'is )iffe!ence+

T'i!)ly anot'e!T'e t'i!) t'eo!y of 'uo! to $e consi)e!e) is one tie) to >co&nitive


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!esolve 2u@@les suc' as 2a!a)oxes an) 2lay f!aes+ Acco!)in& to 8e!&e! an) 7il)avs9y (0;*

t'is t'eo!y is also connecte) to seiotic t'eo!ies 4it' ex2lanation $elo4:

>Pa!a)ox an) t'e ovin& in an) out of 2lay f!aes &ene!ates t'e 9in) of 'uo! t'at

)e2en)s in any instances on t'e listene! !eco&ni@in& t'at t'e 'uo!ist is 6ust 9i))in&

o! 2layin& a!oun) an) )oes not ean 4'at 'e says (2+ C.*+ ties 'uo! to as9e) a&&!ession an) ot'e! fo!ces in t'e

unconscious+ As F!eu) 4!ote in 'is =okes an" Their 2elation to the >nconscious (F!eu) 01

2+0/0* Kan) 'e!e at last 4e can un)e!stan) 4'at it is t'at 6o9es ac'ieve in t'e se!vice of t'ei!

2u!2ose+ T'ey a9e 2ossi$le t'e satisfaction of an instinct (4'et'e! lustful o! 'ostile* in t'e fact

of an o$stacle t'at stan)s in its 4ay5 (F!eu) as cite) $y 8e!&e! .// 2+ .0/D.00*


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Anot'e! 9ey 2oint u2on !evie4in& t'is lite!atu!e 2!esente) f!o 8e!&e! t'at is 4o!t'

fu!t'e! )iscussion is t'e fact t'at 'e 'iself !esea!c'e) stu)ie) an) )evelo2e) “-ort.-ive

Was to (a%e )eop"e Lau&h” /0er&er 12234# He cate&ori5ed his findin&s as 67 techni8ues

that ma%e peop"e "au&h “the what!” and the techni8ues were c"assified accordin& to what

their base was# -or examp"e! to ention a fe4 8e!&e!5s slapstick techni8ue cou"d be

c"assified as “Action!” exposure cou"d be c"assified as “Identit!” absurdity cou"d be

c"assified as “Lo&ic!” and facetiousness cou"d be c"assified as “Lan&ua&e” /0er&er 1223!

p#94# This is an intri&uin& too" that can be used to deconstruct 'o%es /text4 as 'e 2!esents in

'is fin)in&s (2+1D0/*+ I 4oul) li9e to fu!t'e! )iscuss this deconstruction method when

ana"5in& :rump Cat#

Humor as “Cute”

I 'ave 'ea!) t'e axi >It5s so u&ly it5s cute 8ut 4'at )efines >cute Acco!)in& to

Ant'ony %ittle >P'ysical t!aits t'at a!e c'a!acte!istic of 'uan infants a!e !efe!!e) to as K$a$yD

sc'ea5 (e+&+ %o!en@ 0;* an) t'e!e is a lon& 'isto!y to t'e notion t'at suc' t!aits i&'t

influence t'e 2e!ce2tion of cuteness an) elicit ca!e &ivin& f!o a)ults (%ittle ./0. 2+LL*+

Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! ./0 also note an) cite %o!en@ (0;* statin& t'e follo4in&:

>T'e ?in)c'ensc'ea is c'a!acte!i@e) $y 2e)oo!2'ic featu!es suc' as a !elatively la!&e 'ea)

co2a!e) to t'e si@e of t'e $o)y a !elatively $i& c!aniu co2a!e) to t'e facial $ones la!&e

eyes t'at lie $elo4 t'e 'o!i@ontal i)line of t'e s9ull a softDelastic su!face textu!e an) !oun)

2!ot!u)in& c'ee9s+ Infants t'at confo! to t'e ?in)c'ensc'ea a!e coonly )esc!i$e) as cute


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an evo9e 2ositive affective a22!oac' $e'avio! (%o!en@ as cite) $y Golle %isi$ac' Mast B

%o$aie! ./0*+

Havin& !evie4e) t'is lite!atu!e an) t'e fin)in&s f!o $ot' sou!ces an inte!estin& t4ist

occu!!e)+ Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! (./0* focuse) t'ei! stu)y on 2e!ce2tual a)a2tation

acco!)in& to t'e s2ecific t!aits )esc!i$e) in ?in)c'ensc'ea to )ete!ine 4'at a9es soet'in&

cute 4'e!eas Ant'ony %ittle (./0;* t'!e4 soe ani2ulation into 'is stu)y a$out cuteness as 'e

>systeatically va!ie) t'e 2!o2o!tion of a)ultD an) $a$yface)ness in cats 'uan $a$ies an)

a)ults $y a22!oxiatin& t'ei! s'a2e to 'uan a)ult an) $a$y co2osite faces (%ittle as cite) $y

(Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! ./0*+

Inte!estin&ly enou&' t'e !esults of %ittle5s fin)in&s t'!ou&' a cutenessD!atin& tas9

!eveale) t'at $ot' cat an) 'uan faces 4e!e assesse) cute! 4'en a22!oxiate) to4a!)s t'e

s'a2e of a 'uan $a$y face co2a!e) to 4'en a22!oxiate) to4a!)s t'e s'a2e of a 'uan a)ult

face+ >T'us facial s'a2e a)o2te) f!o 'uan infants (sall 6a4 la!&e fo!e'ea)* influence) t'e

cuteness evaluation of cat faces (Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! ./0*+

T'e ain )iffe!ence $et4een $ot' stu)ies 4e!e t'e et'o)s use) to coe to a conclusion

4'ic' $asically cae out to s'o4 2!oof t'at ?in)c'ensc'ea o! $a$y sc'ea effects can

t!ansfe! ac!oss s2ecies+ T'e sae !easonin& use) to ex2lain 4'at a9es a $a$y cute can also $e

use) to ex2lain 4'at a9es a )o& o! a cat cute+ Golle %isi$ac' Mast B %o$aie! (./0* >use)

a 2e!ce2tual a)a2tation 2a!a)i& to test 4'et'e! t'e 2!ocessin& of cuteness is s2eciesDs2ecific o!

4'et'e! a &ene!ic ec'anis un)e!lies t'e 2e!ce2tion of cuteness t'ey )i) t'is $y con)uctin&

t4o ex2e!ients+ One ex2e!ient ex2ose) 2a!tici2ants to $a$y faces fo! a 2e!io) of tie to


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)ete!ine if t'ey 4oul) a)a2t to t'e >cuteness of t'e faces $y easu!in& >afte!Deffects of t'e

ex2osu!e+ T'e secon) ex2e!ient 4as i)entical exce2t t'ey use) 2u22y faces+

A t'i!) sou!ce !evie4e) on t'is to2ic $y 8o!&i #o&liatiDe@@a 8!elsfo!) Meints B

#i!ulli ./0; &ave a))itional info!ation to su22o!t t'e fact t'at ?in)c'ensc'ea 2lays an

inte&!al !ole in !elation to )ete!inin& 4'et'e! o! not a face is consi)e!e) cute+ T'ei!

ex2e!ients involve) c'il) 2a!tici2ants an) t'ey easu!e) 'o4 lon& t'e &a@e of a c'il) laste)

to4a!) 2ictu!es of faces ($ot' 'uan an) nonD'uan* t'at 'a) 9in)c'ensc'ea c'a!acte!istics+

T'ey foun) t'at t'e !es2onse to 9in)c'ensc'ea $e&ins at ea!ly sta&e in 'uan lives an) )oes

not solely a22ly to a)ult !es2onses (8o!&i #o&liatiDe@@a 8!elsfo!) Meints B #i!ulli ./0;*+

*thics of Humor + Criticism Theoriesas ethica"

As 2!eviously state) in t'is 2a2e! 4e 9no4 t'at 'uo! 'as $een cont!ove!sial t'!ou&'out

'isto!y+ Acco!)in& to Aa!on Suts (.//*:

>Plato a!&ues t'at lau&'te! at coe)ies is a fo! of alice (Soloon .//.*

A!istotle uses 'uo! as an exa2le of a c'a!acte!istic t'at is $est in o)e!ation

an) says K4it' !e&a!) to t'e 2leasantness in t'e &ivin& of auseent t'e

inte!e)iate 2e!son is !ea)y 4itte) an) t'e )is2osition is !ea)y 4it t'e excess is

$uffoone!y an) t'e 2e!son c'a!acte!i@e) $y it a $uffoon 4'ile t'e an 4'o falls

s'o!t is a so!t of $oo! an) 'is state is $oo!is'ness5 (A!istotle 0/ II L* stoic

2'iloso2'e! E2ictetus a!&ues t'at it is a)visa$le to !ef!ain f!o tellin& 6o9es since

6o9in& can lea) to vul&a!ity 4'ic' can lessen you! estee in t'e eyes of ot'e!s

an) says K&o so fa! as to c!itici@e t'e 2e!son 4'o 'as )one it an) ot'e!4ise $y


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stayin& silent an) $lus'in& an) f!o4nin& you 4ill s'o4 t'at you a!e )is2lease) $y

4'at 'as $een sai) (E2ictetus 0C .;* T'oas Ho$$es says lau&'te! is

Knot'in& else $ut a su))en &lo!y a!isin& f!o soe su))en conce2tion of

einency in ou!selves $y co2a!ison 4it' t'e infi!ity of ot'e!s o! 4it' ou!

o4n fo!e!ly (Ho$$es 0 ;D* an) 8au)elai!e says lau&'te! is a KSatanic

ex2!ession of ou! su2e!io!ity ove! $easts an) ou! f!ust!ation at ou! e!e o!tality5

(8au)elai!e 01* (All 2'iloso2'e!s (entione)* as cite) $y Suts .//2+ ;D

*+

As 7o4 t'at is soe t'eo!y to consi)e! Aa!on Suts (.//* notes all of t'ese

2'iloso2'e!s an) t'e tec'ni3ues t'ey c!iti3ue !efe! to an et'ics of 'uo!+ Suts focuses on t'e

4ay 'uo! can cause 'a! an) $ases 'is stu)y of et'ics on t'e exaination of t'!ee soe4'at

inte!!elate) a22!oac'es to t'e et'ical c!iticis of 'uo!: (0* attitu)eD$ase) t'eo!ies (.* e!ite)D

!es2onse t'eo!ies an) (* eotional !es2onsi$ility t'eo!ies (Suts .//2+ *+ Suts a!&ues

fo! t'e >effectsDe)iate) !es2onsi$ility t'eo!y an) 'ol)s t'at t'e st!on&est et'ical c!iticis t'at

can $e a)e of ou! sense of 'uo! is t'at it i&'t in)icate soe oission on ou! 2a!t+ T'e

oission coul) only $e cul2a$le in so fa! as a 2a!ticula! 6o9e coul) )o 'a! to oneself o! ot'e!s

(Suts .//2+ *


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In !evie4 of t'is lite!atu!e it 4as inte!estin& to !eflect on t'ese t'eo!ies as >et'ical

c!iticiss of 'uo! so I 4ill )iscuss fu!t'er what each meant in summation accordin& to

;muts# He does pose a va"id 8uestion from an ethica" standpoint! “can our sense of humor

be wron&?” /;muts 12234#

In !e&a!) to t'e attitude.based theor uc' of 4'at Suts (.//* ex2lo!es 'as to )o

4it't'e !ole of an in)ivi)ual5s 'avin& a ce!tain attitu)e 4'ic' 4ill en)o!sein&en)o!ses t'e fact

t'at'uo! of a 6o9e is 'uo!ous+ T'e $asis of t'is t'eo!y coes f!o Ronal) e Sousa (aut'o!

of >7'en Is It 7!on& to %au&' (Suts .//2+ 1*+ 8asically >a 6o9e of un)ilute) nastiness

is 2!esente) 4'ic' s2ea9s to a 6o9e a$out a feale visitin& a 'oc9ey tea an) 4'en s'e ee!&es

s'e co2lains s'e 'as $een &an&D!a2e) an) t'e telle! says t'is is >4is'ful t'in9in& on 'e! 2a!t

(e Sousa as cite) $y Suts .// 2+1*# ;muts ar&ues that there is somethin& intrinsica"" ob'ectionab"e

about a woman who wants or &ets a "ot of sex= /


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Mee*+

'o%e possesses# There is no abso"ute wa to do that so in a&reement with ;muts! m view is

that this critici5in& c"aim fa""s f"at “Bn"ess we find a 'o%e mora"" suspect and the humor is

b"oc%ed! attitu)inal ali&nent 'as seein&ly little o! not'in& to )o 4it' 'o4 ausin& 4e fin)

atte2ts at 'uo! (Suts .//*+

No4 ovin& on to !evie4 t'e Suts states t'at erited.response theor. T'e

2osition of t'is t'eo!y evaluates atte2ts at 'uo! an) su&&ests t'at >o!al s'o!tcoin&s can

count a&ainst t'e 'uo!ousness of a 6o9e an) as a !esult soe 6o9es a!e not funny even if soe

2eo2le t'in9 so (" K6u)&eents of 'uo! a!e no!ative5 as is su&&este) $y 8e!ys Gaut (Gaut as

cite) $y Suts .// 2+ ;0*+ If t'at is t!ue t'en 4'at I t'in9 is funny anot'e! 2e!son ay

)isa&!ee 4it' an) 4'at t'at 2e!son t'in9s is funny I ay )isa&!ee 4it'+ So 'o4 4oul) t'at

e3uate to $ein& consi)e!e) as >no!ative Re"atin& this theor in accordance with ethics

does somewhat "end credence to the “sense” that there are times an individua" wi"" 'ud&e

humor as unethica" or inappropriate and “we have a"" said! if not heard! >That=s not funn”

/;muts 12234#

Suts notes t'at Gaut a!&ues >t'e notion of t'e funny (o! ausin& o! 'uo!ous* is a

no!ative one it is not si2ly 4'at causes 'uo!ous !eactions t'at a9es it funny it is 4'at

e!its o! a9es a22!o2!iate suc' !eactions (Gaut 0C 10 as cite) $y Suts .// 2+;.*+

Suts &oes on to say >ove!all t'e si2le! ex2lanation " t'at K'uo!5 ta9es on one eanin& an)

t'at ou! fin)in& soet'in& funny is 6ust 'o4 4e i)entify t'e 'uo!ous " is a $ette! ex2lanation

and I a&ree /;muts 12234# In s'o!t t'is clai coul) also $e !e4o!)e) as >fin)in& soet'in&

funny t'at 4as not funny (2+ ;* coul) $e a c!ie $ut t'e!e is no a$solute 2!oof t'at t'is fact


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Mee*+

is o!ally unet'icala 2e!son can5t 'ave >eanin&ful cont!ol ove! 4'at t'ey fin) funny

(Suts .//2+ ; *+In

as uc' as 4e a!e !es2onsi$le fo! ou! sense of 'uo! 4e coul) $e 'el) !es2onsi$le fo! t'e 'a!

cause) $y fin)in& soet'in& funny (Suts .//2+ ;* (3uotations $y Suts .//*++

oes fin)in& soet'in& funny !eally cause 'a!ful effects Suts (.//* a9es a

ve!ya!&ues convincin&ly a!&ument exp"ainin& t'at 2ossi$le >insult 6o9es can lea) to lau&'te!

an) t'en lau&'te! can 2otentially cause 'a!ful effects to4a!) to t'e 2e!son to 4'oeve! t'e

>insult 6o9e 4as )i!ecte)+ T'is a!&uent exten)s into t'e )etails of 4'y o! 4'y not an

in)ivi)ual i&'t $e foun) &uilty fo! fin)in& soet'in& 'uo!ous+ T'e o22osin& 2oint to t'at

a!&uent is 6ust as via$le to consi)e! as 2eo2le )o not necessa!ily 'ave cont!ol ove! t'ei!

lau&'te! o! 4'at t'ey ay consi)e! 'uo!ous+ T'e culination fo! t'is 2a!t of 'is lite!atu!e

coul) $e sue) in 'is follo4in& notation:

>To !estate t'e !es2onsi$ility )iinis'in& )ynaic t'at I a a!&uin& fo!: On t'e

effects/mitigate" emotional responsibility !ie% one is !es2onsi$le fo! t'ei! sense

of 'uo! an) t'e ex2e!ience of 'uo!ous auseent is a cul2a$le oission in

so fa! as it !easona$ly coul) 'ave $een $loc9e) $ut instea) sno4$alls into


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Mee*+

'a!ful lau&'te! conve!sely one is not !es2onsi$le fo! t'e effects of lau&'te! is

so fa! as t'e lau&'te! is involunta!y (Suts .// 2+;*+

Suts conclu)es (in suation*:

>Tellin& 6o9es encou!a&in& 6o9es an) lau&'in& at 6o9es a!e actions 4it' clea!

et'ical si&nificance " t'ey a!e all ca2a$le of 2!o)ucin& 'a!s+ Ho4eve! at t'is

2oint 4e a!e stan)in& on s'a9y &!oun) if 4e say t'at e!ely fin)in& any &iven

6o9e funny is itself !e2!e'ensi$le+++ In so fa! as 'uo! can $e cont!olle) 4e i&'t

$e !es2onsi$le fo! fin)in& soet'in& funny+ Most 2lausi$ly t'is !es2onsi$ility can

only lea) to cul2a$le 4!on&)oin& if soe 'a! to self o! ot'e!s !esults o! is

li9ely to !esult Even if lau&'in& at 6o9es is a clea! sou!ce of 'a! auseent

coul) at ost $e an e!!o! of oission " a failu!e to a)e3uately t!ain oneself to face

sus2ect co&nitive 2leasu!es (Suts .// 2+;1*+

Given all t'is info!ation on 2ossi$le >et'ics of 'uo! lea)s one to $elieve t'at t'e!e

a!e eleents of 'uo! an) its tec'ni3ues as 4ell as its lea) into auseent J lau&'te! t'at coul)

$e consi)e!e) 'a!ful $y vi!tue of ce!tain 2e!s2ectives+ Ho4eve! t'e!e is no stu)y t'at s'o4s

une3uivocally t'at t'is an a$solute t!ut' t'us I 2!o2ose once o!e t'at fo! fu!t'e! )iscussion in

t'is 2a2e! " I $elieve t'e 'uo! su!!oun)in& The Grumpy Cat to $e >et'ical an) lac9in& in

2!o)ucin& >'a!ful effects to4a!) it5s !eci2ients+

Humor ;t"es and Humorous Comments *"icit Reactionsas 0behaviora" )prompt


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Mee*+

T'!ee 2syc'olo&ists ?ui2e! ?i!s' an) %eite (./0/* 2ut to&et'e! a !esea!c' stu)y

exainin& 'o4 2a!tici2ants !eacte) to 'uo!ous coents t'at co!!elate) to a 'uo! style+

T'ey entione) t'e existence of $ot' facilitative an) )et!iental 'uo! styles $ut )eci)e) to

focus on a >2e!sonalityD$ase) a22!oac' to 'uo! (?ui2e! ?i!s' B %eite ./0/*+ Fo! t'ei!

stu)y t'ese 2syc'olo&ists cate&o!i@e $eneficial an) 'a!ful styles of 'uo!note t'e follo4in&:

>T4o a)a2tive styles a!e affiliative an) selfDen'ancin& 'uo! 4'e!eas t'e t4o

ala)a2tive styles a!e a&&!essive an) selfD)efeatin& 'uo!+ Affiliative 'uo! involves

funny nonD'ostile 6o9es an) s2ontaneous 4itty $ante! to ause ot'e!s in a !es2ectful

4ay+ "


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Mee*+

can become a positive source of 'o for an one of these humor st"es# There are not man

humorous wor%s with this ma&nitude of popu"arit that I have found that can do this# (

be"ief is that :rump Cat can brin& about "au&hter in combination with sarcasm and

cuteness to produce a wonderfu" out"et for humor throu&h an ima&e itse"f or 'uxtaposed

with text that a"most anone can find comfort in as opposed to findin& offense or hurt#<

This %hole paragraph nee"s to mo!e to your "iscussion or analysis=

T'ese 2syc'olo&ists ex2lo!e) 'uo! in te!s of f!e3uency use 4it' t'ese 'uo! styles

an) also 'o4 2a!tici2ants !eacte) to coents )i!ecte) to4a!) t'e in co!!elation 4it' t'e sae

'uo! styles+ T'e !esults foun) s'o4e) 2ositive an) ne&ative effects of ex2osu!e to t'ese

2ositive an) ne&ative cate&o!ies of 'uo! 4it' !e&a!) to 'o4 2a!tici2ants 4oul) !elate to ot'e!s+

'avin& $een ex2ose) to t'ese ty2es of 'uo! +

Ot'e! sc'ola!s 'ave stu)ie) 'uo! to evaluate 2ositive o! ne&ative effects on in)ivi)uals I 'ave

not seen a stu)y a$out 'uo! focusin& on one exa2le t'at uses ulti2le o)es of 'uo! to

)!a4 t'ousan)s of 2eo2le to !es2on) to it+ T'is is a &a2 in t'e lite!atu!e to 4'ic' I a

!es2on)in&+

Hpothesis


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Mee*+

I 2!o2ose t'at The Grumpy Cat 5s 'uo!ous effects )e2en) on t'e co$ine) effect of a

nu$e! of o)es of 'uo!+ Fu!t'e! t'e o)es !ely on ec'aniss t'at )o not cause eotional

)aa&e offense o! 'a! to ot'e!s+ In fact I i&'t c'a!acte!i@e t'e 'uo! as >facetious $ut not

'a!ful+

Fo! t'e 2u!2ose of t'is 2a2e! t'e follo4in& 3uestions a!ise:

R 0 D 7'at a!e t'e 4ays t'at visual attention an) ve!$al cues 4o!9 to&et'e! to a9e

The Grumpy Cat ees successful

R .D 7'at 9in)s of 'uo! o! a22!oac'es to 'uo! see ost successful in t'is fo!

R D o t'e ees su&&est an ove!all t'ee

R ; D #an I t'eo!i@e 4'at a9es The Grumpy Cat so )a!n 'uo!ous T'at is can I

t'eo!i@e 4'y t'e 2'enoenon 'as &a!ne!e) suc' a )e&!ee of success

R D oes The Grumpy Cat+s au)ience i)entify any ne&ative !es2onses to its 'uo!ous

ees

R 1D A!e 'uo!ous tec'ni3ues su!!oun)in& The Grumpy Cat et'ical If so 4'at is t'e

!elations'i2 $et4een >et'ical >2ositive >facetious an) successful

(ethodo"o&

To su22o!t y 'y2ot'esis I con)ucte) a 3ualitative stu)y to analy@e ia&esJees

featu!in& The Grumpy Cat online 2'enoenon t'at 4ent vi!al in ./0.+

P!oce)u!e:

Fi!st I 'a) to c'oose The Grumpy Cat ia&esJees I 4ante) to analy@e+ I use) t'e

sea!c' en&ine $in&+co+ I sea!c'e) t'e te! >to2 &!u2y cat ia&es+ T'en I c'ose t'e 0/


26/66



Mee*+

ia&es t'at ost easily a)e e lau&'+ To 2e!fo! t'e analysis I sta!te) $y consi)e!in& t'e )ata

c'osen an) sea!c'e) fo! 2otential evi)ence of a t'ee to &!u2y cat5s essa&es in o!)e! to

)ete!ine if y fin)in&s 4oul) su22o!t y &iven 'y2ot'esis an) ans4e! y !esea!c' 3uestions

!e&a!)in& t'e 'uo! su!!oun)in& The Grumpy Cat online 2'enoenon+

Afte! c'oosin& t'e 0/ ees an) evaluatin& t'e fo! a t'ee o! t'ees I analy@e) eac'

ia&e acco!)in& to A!istotle5s !'eto!ical 2!oofs to sta!t to )ete!ine 4'at a9es it 'uo!ous+

T'e !'eto!ical 2!oofs ex2lain 'o4 2e!suasion 4o!9s on au)iences 4'o a!e 2!e2a!e) fo! a

2a!ticula! essa&e+ A!istotle i)entifie) t'!ee !'eto!ical 2!oofs: et'os 2at'os an) lo&os+ thos

involves t'e c!e)i$ility of t'e essa&e sen)e! an) focuses on t'!ee 9ey 2oints: (0* 2e!ceive)

intelli&ence (2!actical 4is)o* (.* vi!tuous c'a!acte! (* an) &oo)4ill (G!iffin ./0. 2+ .*+

athos is an eotional 2!oof 4'ic' coes f!o t'e feelin&s t'e essa&e )!a4s out t'e au)ience

e$e!s (2+ .;*+ In 2a!ticula! I focus on A!istotle5s i)entification of t'e eotionality of Lo!e

or @rien"ship !ersus 7atre" !easonin& $y 4'ic' an au)ience i)entifies 4it' siila! &oals

ex2e!iences attitu)es o! )esi!es 4it' t'e essa&eDsen)e! (2+ .;*+


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Mee*+

states in ca2ital lette!s >I5 not an&!y t'en su$o!)inate) in

si@e an) case t'e text ac!oss t'e $otto of t'e f!ae states

>I5 'a22iness c'allen&e)+

.+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y

#at s'a!es t'e f!ae+ S'e

a22ea!s in t'e a!s of a 4oan si)eD$yDsi)e 4it' anot'e!

cat+ T'e 4oan5s nec9 an) s'oul)e!s a22ea! in t'e

$ac9&!oun)+ T'e text a$ove t'e cats5 faces states >Got a

f!ien)+ T'e text $elo4 t'ei! faces states in t'e sae si@e an) style >Still G!u2y+

+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at a22ea!s 4it' 'e! c'in on a

)es9 $esi)e a co2ute! 9ey$oa!)+ T'e text at t'e to2 of

t'e f!ae states in sall ca2ital lette!s >I 9ee2 'ittin& t'e

esca2e 9ey 8elo4 t'e ia&e text in t'e sae si@e

an) style states >$ut I5 still 'e!e+

;+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at lies on a etal

ta$leDto2 conf!ontin& t'e vie4e! 'ea)Don+

T'e

text ac!oss t'e to2 states in ca2ital lette!s >I5

so!!y t'at I offen)e) you 4'en I calle) you


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Mee*+

stu2i)+ Ac!oss t'e $otto in a salle! si@e $ut t'e sae ca2ital lette!s t'e text states >I

'onestly t'ou&'t you 9ne4+

+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at a22ea!s a little offDcente! to t'e

left 'alf in an) 'alf out of a &ol)en &lo4+ T'e 4'is9e!s on t'e

!i&'t si)e of t'e cat5s face a22ea! co2letely in t'e f!ae in

full focus an) !eflectin& t'e li&'t+ T'e outDofDfocus

$ac9&!oun) !eveals t'e &ol)en &lo4 at t'e to2 of t'e 2'oto

an) s'a)e at t'e $otto t'at 2!ovi)es a successful cont!ast to

t'e 4'is9e!s in t'e fo!e&!oun)+ T'e text at t'e to2 of t'e f!ae 6ust a$ove G!u2y #at5s ea!s

states in sall ca2ital lette!s >I )on5t li9e o!nin& 2eo2le+ Alon& t'e co2lete $otto of t'e

f!ae text in t'e sae si@e an) style states >O! o!nin&s++ O! 2eo2le+

1+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at loo9s u2 f!o 'e!

fu!!y $e) an) off to t'e left out of t'e f!ae+ T'e

$ac9&!oun) featu!es a 4'ite$oa!) 4it' lines of $lue

4!itin& out of focus+ Ac!oss t'e to2 of t'e ia&e in a

font t'at !ese$les a essa&e 2!inte) $y 'an) in

u22e! an) lo4e! case lette!s a22ea!s t'is 2'!ase in

t4o lines: >May$e you s'oul) eat a9eu2 soJ you 4ill $e 2!etty on t'e insi)e too+

L+ In t'is ia&e a 2o!t!ait of G!u2y #at a22ea!s to 'ave $een 2ainte) $y Van Go&' 4it'

Sta!!y Ni&'t as t'e $ac9&!oun)+


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C+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at

a22ea!s in t'e cente! of t'e f!ae+ S'e loo9s u2 f!o

'eavy alost close) eyeli)s off to t'e left of t'e f!ae+ In

t'e fo!e&!oun) of t'e f!ae a )o@en !oses face t'e vie4e!+

T'e lon& stes fa)e out of focus )ia&onally $ac9 an) to

t'e !i&'t+ G!u2y #at5s 2a4 cove!s t'e stes 6ust $e'in)

t'e flo4e!s+

+ T'is ee co2!ises t4o se2a!ate ia&es+

Hpothesis

I propose that this The Grumpy Cat ’s humorous efects

depend on has a positive efect on people through a the

collective combined approach efect o a number o

modes o humor. Further, the modes rely on mechanisms

that do not cause without causing emotional damage,

ofense, or harm to others as other mechanisms o humor

might potentially cause according to reviewed sources o

literature. In act, I might characterize the humor as

“sweet.”

For the purpose o this paper, the ollowing uestions arise!

" # $ In conducting a te%tual analysis o The Grumpy Cat , will the responses I &nd

be more positive than negative' (I don’t understand this uestion)


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" * $ +ill there be any negative responses at all're there any noted, possible

harmul efects caused by The Grumpy Cat, in

relation to analyzed responses o sub-ect images and or memes'

" / $ 0an I &nd +hat are the ways that visual attention and verbal cues wor1

together to ma1e The Grumpy Cat memes successul'

"*$ +hat 1inds o humor or approaches to humor seem most successul in this

orm'

"2 $ 0an I identiy an overall theme' or

"3 $ 0an I theorize what ma1es The Grumpy Cat this cat so darn humorous' 4hatis, can I theorize why the phenomenon has garnered such a degree o success'

" 2 $ re there any noted, possible harmul efects caused by The Grumpy Cat, in

relation to analyzed responses o sub-ect images and or memes'

" 3 $ 5oes The Grumpy Cat 6s audience identiy any negative responses to

its humorous memes' i.e. 5o the responses on The Grumpy Cat’s website note

negative responses, interpretations or conseuences'

"$7 re humor techniues surrounding The Grumpy Cat ethical' I so, what is the

relationship between “ethical,” “positive,” “sweet,” and successul'

8ethodology

9b-ective

4o prove and support my hypothesis or disprove it, through analyzing images

memes surrounding The Grumpy Cat online phenomenon that went viral in *:#*.

4his ualitative study will include a te%tual analysis o #: most “li1ed” images and

or memes ;images < te%t= o The Grumpy Cat that have been posted on The

Grumpy Cat o>cial Faceboo1 page ;a social media platorm=. 4he analysis will

speci&cally include review o responses and comments to these images and or

memes to evaluate whether or not there is evidence or a theme in this collected

data to support the given hypothesis and answer the research uestions regarding

humorous techniues surrounding The Grumpy Cat online phenomenon. A summary


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o the &ndings and suggested improvements to the study will be included in the

conclusion portion o this paper.

Introduce and expand on this technique section as your “Methodology”, the section

after “ata!” nother 1ey point upon reviewing this literature presented rom ?erger

that is worth urther discussion is the act that he himsel researched, studied, and

developed “Forty$Five +ays to 8a1e @eople Aaugh” ;?erger, *::B, p. '=. Ce

categorized his &ndings as 23 techniues that ma1e people laugh “the what,” and

the techniues were classi&ed according to what their base was. For e%ample, (do

you understand the relationship between the techniue and ?erger’s

categorization' Dou don’t need to here, but you do in the discussion.) ?erger’s

slapstic" techniue could be classi&ed as “ction,” exposure could be classi&ed as

“Identity,” a#surdity could be classi&ed as “Aogic,” and facetiousness could be

classi&ed as “Aanguage” ;?erger *::B, p.7=. 4his is an intriguing tool that can be

used to deconstruct -o1es ;te%t= ;p. E$#:=. I would li1e to urther discuss this

deconstruction method when analyzing rumpy 0at.

5ata!

(0* In t'e fi!st ia&e Stevie 7on)e! a22ea!s sittin& at an elect!ic 2iano 4it' 'is 'ea) $ac9

an) sile 4i)e+ T'e text a22ea!s in a se!f font in t'!ee lines t'at fill t'e s2ace $esi)e

7on)e!5s 'ea)+ It states: >I 6ust calle)Jto sayJI love you+

(.* In t'e secon) ia&e G!u2y #at a22ea!s to $e lyin& on a 2illo4+ S'e a22ea!s salle! t'an

s'e usually )oes 4it' o!e of t'e f!ae a!oun) 'e! &iven to t'e ia&e of t'e c!u2le) s'eets

an) e2ty $e) a!oun) 'e!+ T'e text a22ea!s in t'e sae se!if font $ut a la!&e! si@e+ It statesD

“Wron& number#”

0/+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at5s 2'oto a22ea!s in t'e cente! of t'e f!ae in t'e 'an) of Ga!fiel)

stan)in& on a $lue )es9 in f!ont of a an 4it' a $!o4n suit on sittin& in a !e) c'ai!+ T'e

$ac9&!oun) s'o4s a nonDcolo!e) $oo9 s'elf 4it' $oo9s a 2ictu!e f!ae an) a 2lant in a 2ot

2lace) next to it (t'ese a!e left of t'e f!ae*+ T'e !i&'t of t'e f!ae s'o4s a nonDcolo!e) )oo! in


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t'e $ac9&!oun)+ Ac!oss t'e to2 of t'e

ia&e in sall font text 2!inte) in t4o

lines an) t4o sentences is t'e stateent:

>%isten 2al 'o4 can t'is G!u2y #at

2'enoenon ex2lo)e 4'en it5s y t'in&

toJ$e &!u2y an) $e a cat+ ou5!e y

a&ent Qe!!y o soet'in&esc!i$e an) 2!efe!a$ly s'a!e soe of t'e 0/ ees you 2lan to

analy@e+ Inclu)e all of t'e ees as a22en)ices if you )on5t inclu)e t'e all 'e!e+ Tell t'e

4'ole sto!y of The Grumpy Cat phenomenon#

Ana"sis

In t'is section I analy@e t'e ia&es $y a22lyin& t'e conce2t of !'eto!ical 2!oofs to

)ete!ine 4'at a9es eac' so 'uo!ous+ T'e !'eto!ical 2!oofs t'at 4ill $e use) a!e A!istotle5s

thos, athos, an) Logos o)es of 2e!suasion+

thos: T'is esta$lis'es c!e)i$ility of a s2ea9e! o! essa&e sen)e! 4it' an au)ience+ Et'os

)eals 4it' t'e c'a!acte! of t'e s2ea9e! (a fi!st i2!ession to t'e au)ience one i&'t say*+ T'e

4ay t'e s2ea9e! 2o!t!ays t'eselves t'!ou&' ve!$al essa&e $o)y lan&ua&e facial ex2!ession

as 4ell as eleents suc' as t'ei! 2'ysical a22ea!ance actual voca$ula!y an) 2o2ula!ity is

i2o!tant $ecause t'ese facto!s )ete!ine 'o4 an au)ience 4ill !eceive o! acce2t t'e s2ea9e!5s

essa&e+ T'!ou&' et'os a essa&e sen)e! can !eveal t'ei! 2e!sonality li9es )istastes etc+ t'at

4ill allo4 an au)ience to !elate to t'e o! not+ Eac' of t'e ia&es I c'ose uses ethos to esta$lis'

c!e)i$ility of t'e G!u2y #at+


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T'e 2u$lic (au)ience* 'as !eceive) 'e! as 'avin& a sense of 2!actical 4is)o o!

2e!ceive) intelli&ence a vi!tuous c'a!acte! a9in& 'e! a &oo) an) 'onest cat an) a ca!!ie! of

&oo)4ill eanin& s'e 'ol)s a 2ositive 6u)&eent of intention to4a!) 'e! au)ience+ T'e 2u$lic

au)ience in &ene!al a!e a)ults o! c'il)!en 4'o can !elate to t'e ty2e of essa&es t'at a!e $ein&

sent via G!u2y cat t'ose 2e!sons 4'o can !elate to $ein& &!u2y fo! one !eason o! anot'e!+

T'e 2!oof $e'in) t'ese stateents lies in t'e ve!y natu!e of t'e ex2losive 2'enoenon

su!!oun)in& 'e! 2!esence online an) t'ousan)s of coents an) !es2onses t'at can $e foun)

t'e!e in !elation to 'e! ia&e J ees+ T'is can $e 2!oven $y sea!c'in& online as I )i) an)

noticin& t'e su of 'e! 2o2ula!ity on 4e$sites an) social e)ia 2latfo!s suc' as Face$oo9 an)

Insta&!a+ In o!)e! fo! an au)ience to !es2on) to a essa&e sen)e! t'at s2ea9e! ust 'ave

esta$lis'e) c!e)i$ility fo! t'e au)ience to listen o! 'ea! 4'at is $ein& sai)+ The Grumpy Cat 'as

acco2lis'e) suc' c!e)i$ility via 'e! visual i2!ession a!!an&eent an) style of )elive!in&

essa&es+

athos: T'is is t'e eans $y 4'ic' t'e s2ea9e! can en&a&e an au)ience t'!ou&' t'ei!

eotional !es2onse o! !eaction to4a!) t'e &iven essa&e+ T'e s2ea9e! o! essa&e sen)e! can

)!a4 an au)ience in $y a))!essin& soe utual coonality t'at t'e au)ience can !elate to suc'

as a $elief syste sto!yDtol) ex2e!ience o! set of values to &ive exa2les+ e2en)ent on 4'ic'

tec'ni3ue o! to2ic t'e s2ea9e! uses t'is 4ill )ete!ine t'e level of 'o4 an au)ience ay 6u)&e

o! c!itici@e t'e essa&e+ In t'e case of G!u2y #at any of t'e essa&es &iven eit'e! ve!$ally

o! nonve!$ally ten) to elicit coonality on 'o4 t'e au)ience !elates eotionally to $ein& o!

feelin& &!u2y o! in a $a) oo) in &ene!al o! to4a!) s2ecific to2ics+ T'is a9es &!u2y cat5s

sco2e an) extension of !eac' to4a!) au)iences la!&e an) ve!satile+


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Once an ia&e of t'e &!u2y cat is 6uxta2ose) 4it' a 4!itten essa&e o! a))itional

o$6ect A!istotle5s pathos o)e of 2e!suasion coes into effect+ Recall t'at pathos is an

eotional 2!oof eanin& 4'en t'e au)ience !eceives t'e essa&e of t'e sen)e! t'e !esult is an

eotional !es2onse f!o t'e au)ience &ivin& 2!oof t'at t'e au)ience 4as affecte) $y t'e

essa&e+ G!u2y cat visuali@e) in t'is fo! !e&a!)in& seve!al of t'e follo4in& ia&es len)s

c!e)ence in 2a!ticula! to A!istotle5s Lo!e or @rien"ship !ersus 7atre" !easonin& of pathos

(eanin& t'e !eceive! o! au)ience fin)s siila!ity of coon &oals ex2e!iences attitu)es o!

)esi!es 4it' t'e essa&e sen)e! J s2ea9e!*+

Logos: T'is 'as to )o 4it' t'e line of a!&uent in a s2eec' an) 4'et'e! o! not t'e

a!&uent can $e 2!oven+ T'is is A!istotle5s et'o) of !'eto!ical !easonin& to 2!esent an

a!&uent t'at a22ea!s to $e soun) to its au)ience+ T'e lo&ic o! !'eto!ical !easonin& of an

a!&uent is $ase) on t'e au)ience5s 2e!ce2tion of !eality+ In t'is case t'e 2u$lic au)ience 'as a

)is2osition t'at can !elate to t'e !eality of 'avin& a $a) )ay o! $ein& in a $a) oo)+ I 4ill

analy@e 'o4 &!u2y cat uses t'e !elations'i2 of facts &iven in 'e! s2eec' to4a!)s t'e !eality of

'e! 2u$lic au)ience+

Havin& state) t'is an) ac9no4le)&in& t'at The Grumpy Cat 'as ethos c!e)i$ility an) 'e!

essa&es )o use t'is o)e of 2e!suasion eac' ia&e J ee 4ill no4 $e fu!t'e! analy@e) $y

a22lyin& A!istotle5s pathos o)e of 2e!suasion in !elation to 'is Lo!e or @rien"ship !ersus

7atre" !easonin& of pathos an) also a22lyin& t'e logos o)e of 2e!suasion in &!u2y cat5s line

of a!&uents 2e! 'uo!ous t4ists+


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Ana"sis0a+ thos6 G!u2y #at offe!s c!e)i$ility to t'is

ia&e via 'e! facial ex2!ession an) stance 4it' 'e! 2a4

2lace) on a su!face nea! 'e! face+ T'e e!e visual vie4 of 'e!

ia&e cues t'e au)ience in on t'e >fact t'at s'e ay $e

&!u2y+ G!u2y #at5s facial featu!es in t'is ia&e

ie)iately $!in& to in) t'e stu)y of 4in"chenschema.

Recall f!o t'e lite!atu!e !evie4 t'at ce!tain t!aits o!

c'a!acte!istics ay cause a vie4e! to 'ave t'e 2e!ce2tion of cuteness 4'en seein& t'ese featu!es+

S'e 'as a !elatively la!&e 'ea) la!&e eyes !oun) face an) 2!ot!u)in& c'ee9s+ Ia&es suc' as t'is

can $!in& an ie)iate sile to an in)ivi)ual5s face $ecause t'ey 'ave 2e!ceive) it as >cute+

0$+ athos6 G!u2y cat5s cute face 6uxta2ose) 4it' t'e 4!itten essa&e >I5 not an&!y

I5 'a22iness c'allen&e) coul) $!in& fo!t' an eotional !es2onse ( pathos mode4 f!o an

au)ience+ T'e au)ience coul) !es2on) to t'is ee $ecause of eotions felt in coonality

4it' !ea)in& 'e! essa&e 'avin& to )o 4it' t'ei! o4n 2e!sonal ex2e!iences an) attitu)es 4'en

'avin& to face unhapp ci!custances+ T'ou&' t'e essa&e ay 'ave a ne&ative &!u2y

connotation it actually $ecoes 'uo!ous $ecause t'e!e is a seein& atte2t to a9e it 2ositive

$y statin& >I5 'a22iness c'allen&e) instea) of >an&!y+

0c+ Logos6 7'at a9es t'is ia&e aa@in& is t'at t'ou&' G!u2y #at ay a22ea! to $e

in a $a) oo) t'e >fact t'at t'e!e i&'t $e an un)e!tone of facetiousness in 'e! essa&e a9es

it 'uo!ous+ 8ecause it can $e !ea) in suc' a anne! t'is also $!in&s a sense of st!ess !elief

$ecause !ea)in& t'is essa&e 4it' a facetious un)e!tone can $!in& a$out lau&'te! 4'ic' can also


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$e 'ealin& to t'e au)ience+ I )o not see any ne&ative effects f!o t'e co$ination of t'is ia&e

6uxta2ose) 4it' t'e 4!itten essa&e it is sen)in& an) $elieve it 'as a 2ositive 'uo!ous effect on

its au)ience an) can offe! st!ess !elief to t'e as 4ell+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le &et an&!y+

I a a 2e!son+

I can &et an&!y+

7umorous T%ist from Grumpy Cat argument6

All 2eo2le &et an&!y+Exce2t fo! e+

I a only >'a22iness c'allen&e) an) t'at is a )iffe!ent sto!y+

. a+ thos6 In t'is ia&e G!u2 #at esta$lis'es 'e!

c!e)i$ility as al4ays 4it' 'e! &!u2y facial ex2!ession an)

$o)y stance o! 2osition+ He! 'ea) is tilte) sli&'tly an) s'e

a22ea!s to $e in a $a) oo)+ T'is tie s'e also is

2ositione) next to a f!ien) an) $ein& 'el) it a22ea!s $y a

4oan 4'o is 'ol)in& t'e close to&et'e!+

.$+ athos6 T'ese t4o cats 6uxta2ose) 4it' t'e 4!itten essa&e >Got a f!ien) still

&!u2y coul) &a!ne! an ie)iate eotional !es2onse f!o t'e au)ience in !elevance to

A!istotle5s Lo!e or @rien"ship !ersus 7atre" !easonin& in 9ee2in& 4it' t'e pathos o)e of

2e!suasion# A&ain &!u2y cat is cute an) so is 'e! f!ien)+ I a su!e t'e au)ience coul) !elate to


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t'is essa&e via t'ei! o4n 2e!sonal ex2e!iences o! attitu)es+ T'e!e a!e ties 4'en one i&'t $e

2lace) in close 2!oxiity socially to soeone t'ey )on5t fin) 2a!ticula!ly t'at a22ealin& o! t'e!e

ay $e ties 4'en t'e a!e in close 2!oxiity of a 'a22y f!ien) an) 6ust )on5t feel li9e silin&

$ecause t'ey a!e in a $a) oo)+

.c+ Logos6 F!ien)s 4ill &ene!ally t!y to &et t'ei! f!ien) to $ecoe 'a22y !at'e! t'an

&!u2y $ut in t'e en) eve!y 2e!son I 9no4 'as 'a) t'ei! tie of $ein& &!u2y no atte! 4'at

%ind of exte!nal ci!custances a!e su!!oun)in& t'e+ Since a 2u$lic au)ience can &ene!ally

!elate to &!u2y cat5s >cuteness in co$ination 4it' t'is essa&e I see 2ositive 'uo!ous

effects from it because it can "ea) to lau&'te! consi)e!in& one5s o4n 2e!sonal ci!custances+ If

&!u2y cat can $e cute an) &!u2y siultaneously (facetious* t'en can so can anyone else I )o

not see ne&ativity in t'is essa&e+

Line of argument6

Most 2eo2le 'ave f!ien)s+

I a a 2e!son an) 'ave a f!ien)+

Havin& a f!ien) &ene!ally a9es e 'a22y+


All 2eo2le 'ave f!ien)s+

Exce2t fo! e+

I &et a f!ien) t'at s'oul) a9e e 'a22y $ut I5 in a $a) oo) an) t'us I a >still

&!u2y 4'ic' is a )iffe!ent sto!y+

a+ thos6 G!u2y #at esta$lis'es c!e)i$ility to t'is essa&e 4it' 'e! $o)y 2ositionin& an)

facial ex2!ession ai)st 'e! su!!oun)in& 4'ic' a22ea!s to $e a 4o!9 s2ace o! an office in natu!e+


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$+ athos6 He!e t'e au)ience can fin) coonality

4it' G!u2y #at $ecause of t'e natu!e of t'e 4!itten

essa&e 6uxta2ose) 4it' not only 'e! ia&e $ut ot'e!

o$6ects 2lace) a!oun) 'e!+ One can infe! f!o t'e

9ey$oa!) an) co2ute! t'at s'e i&'t $e at 4o!9 o!

soe2lace s'e )oes not 4ant to $e $ecause of t'e state) 4!itten essa&e+ A 9ey$oa!) 'as an

>esca2e 9ey on it an) as !efe!ence) $y t'is ee&!u2y cat 9ee2s 'ittin& t'at 9ey $ut cannot

esca2e+ 8ecause of t'e settin& an) 'e! cute ia&e in co$ination 4it' t'e 4!itten essa&e one

cannot 'el2 $ut sile o! lau&'+ Anyone in a siila! situation 4oul) $e a$le to !elate to 'e!

ex2e!ience attitu)e o! )esi!e $e soe4'e!e else an) lau&' as is su&&este) $y t'e pathos o)e

of 2e!suasion+ %au&'te! 4oul) 'el2 !e)uce st!ess 4'ic' eans t'e!e is a 2ositive 'uo!ous

effect on t'e au)ience !eceivin& &!u2y cat5s essa&e 'e!e an) I )o not see ne&ativity+

c+ Logos6 7'o 'as not eve! 4ante) to esca2e a lon& $o!in& )ay at 4o!9 o! ot'e!

unfo!tunate ci!custance+ Once a&ain t'e facetiousness of t'is cat 4ins an a!&uent+

Line of argument6

Most 2eo2le 'ave a 6o$ o! 4o!9 soe 2lace+

I a a 2e!son an) 'ave a 6o$+

I &ene!ally li9e y 6o$ an) J o! tole!ate it+


Most 2eo2le 'ave a 6o$ o! 4o!9 soe 2lace+

Exce2t fo! e+

I i&'t 'ave a 6o$ $ut I )on5t 'ave to li9e it o! tole!ate it an) 4oul) !at'e! 'it t'e >esca2e9ey an) )isa22ea! 4'ic' is a )iffe!ent sto!y+


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;a+ thos6 G!u2y cat esta$lis'es c!e)i$ility in a $o)y stance t'at loo9s li9e s'e5s !ea)y to

fi&'t at o! fi&'t $ac9 at soeone+ A&ain 'e! facial

ex2!ession a22ea!s &!u2y an) s'e loo9s !ea)y to

ta9e on an a!&uent+

;$+ athos6 G!u2y #at5s cute ia&e is

6uxta2ose) 4it' t'is 4!itten essa&e once a&ain

4it' a facetious tone to it as suc' it can t'en $ecoe 'uo!ous $ecause any in)ivi)uals can

!elate to t'is sentient+ Alt'ou&' it i&'t $e a t'ou&'t in soeone5s in) it is not a essa&e

t'at coul) $e state) out lou) an) J o! )i!ecte) to4a!) any s2ecific in)ivi)ual 4it'out causin&

'a!ful effects+ In t'is co$ination of ia&e an) 4!itten essa&e it can $e vie4e) as a

'uo!ous outlet fo! ne&ative eotions one 2e!son i&'t feel to4a!) anot'e! 4it'out causin&

'a!+ Fo! t'e in)ivi)ual t'in9in& t'e t'ou&'t lau&'te! 4oul) !e)uce t'e st!ess of 'avin& to )eal

4it' soeone 4'o i&'t cause f!ust!ation to t'e+ Fo! anot'e! 2e!son not 'avin& t'is 2a!ticula!

t'ou&'t t'is essa&e coul) still $e 'uo!ous $ecause t'!ou&' 2e!sonal ex2e!ience o! attitu)e at

one tie o! anot'e! I a su!e t'e 2e!son coul) !elate+ T'us t'e essa&e evo9es a pathos o)e

of 2e!suasion 4it' 2ositive 'uo!ous effect !at'e! t'an ne&ative+

;c+ Logos6 He!e &!u2y cat can &et a4ay 4it' statin& a 4!itten essa&e t'at coul)

2otentially $e consi)e!e) 'a!ful if it 4e!e )i!ecte) to4a!) anyone s2ecifically+ Also if it 4e!e

)i!ecte) ve!$ally to4a!) anyone in 2a!ticula! it coul) $e consi)e!e) offensive an) cause 'a!

)ue to a ne&ative au)ience !es2onse+ 8ecause of t'e co$ination 4it' all t'!ee !'eto!ical 2!oofs

et'os 2at'os an) lo&os G!u2y #at is once a&ain 'uo!ous 4it' a facetious tone an) I )o not


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see any ne&ative effects f!o 'e! essa&e 6ust a !elata$le essa&e to 'e! au)ience t'at can $e

'ealin& t'!ou&' a22lication of lau&'te! an) 2ositive fo! ne&ative eotion+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le can a22ea! stu2i) o! $ecoe annoyin& to ot'e!s+

It 4oul) $e !u)e to ve!$ally state t'at notation alou)+Alt'ou&' I i&'t 'ave oents of t'in9in& t'is t'ou&'t I 4oul) neve! say it out lou)

fo! fea! of offen)in& soeone+


All 2eo2le can a22ea! stu2i) o! $ecoe annoyin& to ot'e!s+It 4oul) $e !u)e to ve!$ally state t'at notation alou)+

I 'ave no 2!o$le 4it' lettin& feelin&s coe out ve!$ally in o!)e! to vent eotion an) I

'ave no fea! of offen)in& anyone if so t'en I 4ill a2olo&i@e an) t'at is a )iffe!ent sto!y+

a+ thos6 #!e)i$ility is esta$lis'e) $y G!u2y #at5s

&!u2y facial ex2!ession an) t'e li&'tin& s'e is 2!esente) in

!elative to 'e! essa&e+

$+ athos6 T'is ia&e an) 4!itten essa&e is siila! to ;$+

If an in)ivi)ual in &ene!al 4e!e to state t'is essa&e out lou)

t'ey ay $e consi)e!e) a ne&ative 2e!son 4'o )oes not li9e

anyone o! anyt'in&+ Ho4eve! since &!u2y cat is !elayin& t'is essa&e t'!ou&' a pathos o)e

of 2e!suasion any in)ivi)ual coul) fin) coonality 4it' t'is sentient )ue to 2e!sonal

ex2e!ience o! attitu)e to4a!) o!nin&s an) o!nin& 2eo2le+ T'is coul) lea) to lau&'te! $ecause

t'e essa&e is t!ue fo! any 2eo2le $ut exa&&e!ate) in t'is 2!esentation+ T'is a9es it

'uo!ous+


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c+ Logos6 A&ain in a facetious anne! I see t'e co$ination of &!u2y cat5s ia&e

6uxta2ose) 4it' a 4!itten essa&e in co$ination to 2!ovi)e a 2ositive outlet fo! ne&ative

eotion t'at can actually c!eate a 2ositive 'uo!ous effect to4a!) t'e !eceive! of t'e essa&e

4it'out in)ucin& ne&ativity to anyone+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le a!e eit'e! un'a22y in t'e o!nin& >&!u2y o! 'a22y in t'e o!nin& 9no4nas >o!nin& 2eo2le+

I a one of t'ese 2eo2le eit'e! 'a22y o! un'a22y in t'e o!nin&+

Alt'ou&' I i&'t $e an un'a22y >&!u2y 2e!son in t'e o!nin& I 4oul) neve! say outlou) t'at >o!nin& 2eo2le i!!itate e fo! fea! of offen)in& soeone+


All 2eo2le a!e eit'e! un'a22y in t'e o!nin& >&!u2y o! 'a22y in t'e o!nin& 9no4nas >o!nin& 2eo2le+I a one of t'ese 2eo2le eit'e! 'a22y o! un'a22y in t'e o!nin&+

I 'a22en to $e >&!u2y in t'e o!nin& an) nee) to vent t'e eotional !es2onse I ay

'ave to4a!) >o!nin&s++o! 2eo2le o! >o!nin& 2eo2le in o!)e! to continue t'!ou&'out

y )ay an) t'at is a )iffe!ent sto!y+

1a+ thos6 #!e)i$ility is esta$lis'e) 4it' G!u2y #at5s

&!u2y facial ex2!ession as usual an) 'e! 2laceent on

4'at sees to $e a cofo!ta$le 2et $e) 4it' soe

4!itin& on a $oa!) $e'in) 'e! su&&estin& a casual 2lace

fo! )ialo&ue+


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1$+ athos6 T'is visual ex2!ession in co$ination 4it' t'is 4!itten essa&e coul) $!in&

out an eotional !es2onse in an au)ience 4'o fin)s coonality 4it' t'e su&&este) ty2e of

situation+ I )o not inte!2!et any selfDne&ativity in t'is essa&e 'o4eve! I coul) see 4'e!e an

au)ience coul) $e ove) to feel a senses of 6ustice in t'is stateent eanin& G!u2y #at sees

to $e callin& out a $a) $e'avio! f!o soeone in 'e! s2ace+ Eac' in)ivi)ual at soe 2oint in

t'ei! lives 'as 'a) to )eal 4it' ne&ativity f!o soeone 4'o ot'e!4ise i&'t a22ea! to $e

fla4less+ I see &!u2y cat5s ia&e 6uxta2ose) 4it' t'is 4!itten essa&e as a 'ealt'y outlet fo!

ne&ative eotions+ I 4oul) say t'is essa&e ay $e 'uo!ous to soe an) not as 'uo!ous to

ot'e!s $ut 4oul) continue to a!&ue t'at it 2!esents 2ositive effects to4a!) its au)ience in t'at it

is a 2ositive an) 'ealt'y outlet fo! any 2ossi$le ne&ative eotions+ T'is !eains in line 4it'

A!istotle5s pathos o)e of 2e!suasion via 'is Lo!e or @rien"ship !ersus 7atre" !easonin&

$ecause t'e au)ience can fin) coonality 4it' G!u2y #at t'!ou&' siila! ex2e!iences

attitu)es o! )esi!es 4it' t'e essa&e $ein& sent+

1c+ Logos6 G!u2y cat still 'ol)s an un)e!tone of facetiousness $ut also sees to 'ol) a

little o!e 4ei&'t to4a!) se!iousness in t'is ee+ Alt'ou&' it ay not $e 'uo!ous fo!

eve!yone it 4oul) still 'ol) 2ositive effects to4a!) an au)ience as a 2ositive outlet fo! ne&ative

eotion 4'ic' coul) !e)uce st!ess+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le loo9 $ette! 4it' a9eDu2 on+

Most 2eo2le coul) loo9 $ette! 4it' a9eDu2 on+

I loo9 $ette! 4it' a9eDu2 on+



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All 2eo2le loo9 $ette! 4it' a9eDu2 on+

Most 2eo2le coul) loo9 $ette! 4it' a9eDu2 on+

ou a!e a 6e!9 4it' a9eDu2 so ay$e you s'oul) >eat a9eDu2 so you 4ill $e 2!etty on

t'e insi)e too $ecause a9eDu2 )oes not a9e you loo9 $ette! insi)e o! out an) t'at is a)iffe!ent sto!y+

La+ thos6 T'e!e is no 4!itten essa&e 'o4eve! t'e visual scene

infe!s t'at &!u2y cat )oes o4n c!e)i$ility an) 2!esents t'is in t'e

fo! of a Van Go&' ty2e of 2ainin&+ In t'is ia&e G!u2y #at

a22ea!s 2ainte) as a >Van Go&' cat 4it' a Starry Ni&'t

$ac9&!oun) 4'ic' in itself len)s c!e)i$ility to The Grumpy Cat

2'enoenon+ Soeone 'ol)s 'e! in 'i&' estee enou&' to co2a!e

'e! to a Van Go&'5s Sta!!y Ni&'t 2aintin&+ I see a )efinite o)e of ethos 2e!suasion t'!ou&' its

2!esente) fo!+

L$+ athos6 In !e&a!) to t'e pathos o)e of 2e!suasion I 4oul) say t'at t'e au)ience

coul) 'ave seve!al )iffe!ent eotional !es2onses to t'is ia&e of &!u2y cat $ut none of t'e

!es2onses 4oul) necessa!ily $e ne&ative+ Res2onses coul) only 'ave t'e 2otential to $e ne&ative

if vie4e) t'!ou&' t'e eyes of an a!t aficiona)o $ut &iven The Grumpy Cat 2'enoenon

c!e)i$ility t'is is )ou$tful+ He! facetious 2e!sonality an) cuteness evo9e 2ositive effects in t'e

sense t'at an in)ivi)ual a22!eciate) 'e! enou&' to 2aint 'e! as Van Go&' 4oul) an) t'at coul) $e

consi)e!e) an) 'ono! 4it' a tin&e of 'uo! at t'e sae tie+ 7'at a9es it 'uo!ous is t'e

o))ity of t'e fact t'at an ia&e of a &!u2y cat 2aintin& coul) $e 'el) in co2a!ison to t'e

&!eatness of a Van Go&' 2aintin& an) still 2lace a sile on an in)ivi)ual5s face o! evo9e lau&'te!

$ecause of t'is i!onic co2a!ison+


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Lc+ Logos6 T'e!e sees to $e soun) !'eto!ical !easonin& as to 4'y G!u2y #at 4as

2ainte) in suc' a anne!+ T'e >fact t'at s'e 4as 2ainte) in suc' a anne! len)s to an i!ony t'at

a9es t'is >fact 'uo!ous

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le en6oy aest'etic t'in&s one suc' exa2le $ein& a!t+

Many 2eo2le 9no4 of t'e faous 2aintin& >Sta!!y Ni&'t $y a!tist Vincent Van Gou&'

T'ose 4'o love t'is 2aintin& 'ol) it in 'i&' estee+


All 2eo2le en6oy aest'etic t'in&s one suc' exa2le $ein& a!t+Many 2eo2le 9no4 of t'e faous 2aintin& >Sta!!y Ni&'t $y a!tist Vincent Van Gou&'

T'ose 4'o love The Grumpy Cat 4ill 'ol) t'is 2aintin& in 6ust as 'i&' of an estee as

Van Go&'5s >Sta!!y Ni&'t 4'ic' i&'t $e siila! $ut ET is a )iffe!ent sto!y+

Ca+ thos6 #!e)i$ility is esta$lis'e) $y G!u2y #at5s

2laceent an) facial ex2!ession one a&ain+

C$+ athos6 Gene!ally s2ea9in& a 2e!son i&'t inte!2!et t'is

text as a cat 4'o 'ates !oses $ut $ecause of t'e 9no4n

2e!sonality of t'is &!u2y cat it is easie! to infe! s'e )isli9es

o!e t'an 6ust t'e !oses !at'e! s'e )isli9es 4'at t'ey stan)

fo! 4'ic' is Valentine5s ay (P!oof foun) via online sea!c'* 8ecause t'is sentient is coon

to t'ousan)s of 2eo2le on t'is 2a!ticula! 'oli)ay t'is ia&e evo9es a co$ination of lau&'te!

facetiousness cuteness an) uns2o9en ee+ Fo! t'ose t'at a!e una$le to ve!$ally state 'o4

f!ust!atin& t'is 'oli)ay i&'t $e fo! sin&le 2eo2le &!u2y cat says it all in t'is text 4it'out even


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ve!$ally sayin& a 4o!)+ T'is is ost )efinitely 'uo!ous 4it' 2ositive effects as an outlet fo!

any 2ossi$le ne&ative eotion an) &ives evi)ence fo! t'e !'eto!ical 2!oof of pathos.

Cc+ Logos6 7'en sea!c'in& fo! &!u2y cat ia&es online coon sense allo4s fo!

lo&ical infe!ences to $e a)e+ Of cou!se )u!in& t'e tie f!ae fo! 4'ic' an ia&e is 2oste) an)

also )ue to t'e settin& of t'e ia&e one coul) infe! t'e essa&e of a text+ In t'is case fo! t'is

ia&e &!u2y cat is )is&!untle) 4it' a 'oli)ay Valentine5s ay T'e !oses a!e a si&nifie! fo!

love an) all it stan)s fo! an) t'ey a!e 6uxta2ose) 4it' t'e ia&e of &!u2y cat in all 'e! &!u2y

&lo!y tellin& all 4'at Valentine5s ay eans to 'e! 4it' a facetious tone in 'uo!ous li&'t+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le en6oy !oantic &estu!es suc' as t'e &ivin& o! !eceivin& of !oses+

Many 2eo2le a22!eciate t'ese &estu!es on Valentine5s ay as a si&n of t'ei! continue)love+

T'ose 4'o a!e in a !elations'i2 &ene!ally a22!eciate !eceivin& !oses on Valentine5s ay

to s'o4 t'ey a!e 2a!t of a cou2le+


All 2eo2le en6oy !oantic &estu!es suc' as t'e &ivin& o! !eceivin& of !oses+

Exce2t fo! e on Valentine5s ay

T'ose 4'o a!e NOT in a !elations'i2 on Valentine5s ay 4oul) &ene!ally a22!eciate

!eceivin& !oses on any ot'e! )ay $ecause t'ey 6ust i&'t $e sin&le an) not 2a!t of acou2le an) i&'t fin) t'e 'oli)ay to $e !i)iculous (facetiousness*+

a+ thos6 #!e)i$ility is esta$lis'e) $y G!u2y #at5s &!u2y facial ex2!ession an) 2laceent

on a $e) !elative to t'e )ialo&ue an) essa&e 6uxta2ose) nea! 'e! 4it' 9no4n cele$!ity Stevie

7on)e! an) 'is faous ly!ic >I 6ust calle) to say I love you+


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$+ athos6 Most 2eo2le in &ene!al a!e failia! 4it' cele$!ities $ecause

of soe ci!custance 4'e!e t'ey 'ave $een 3uote) si&'te) o!

follo4e) fo! ot'e! !easons+ In t'is text 4e see a cele$!ity sin&e!

nae) Stevie 7on)e! 4'o 4as 4i)ely 9no4n fo! 'is 'it son& >I 6ust

calle) to say I love you+ T'is 6uxta2osition of Stevie 7on)e!5s

ia&e an) 4!itten essa&e in 6oine) )ialo&ue 4it' &!u2y cat5s

ia&e an) !es2onse can ie)iately evo9e lau&'te!+ 8ecause &!u2y

cat is 9no4n fo! $ein& facetious t'is text a9es 2e!fect sense an)

$ecoes 'uo!ous 4it' 2ositive effects to !elease t'e tension of an uncofo!ta$le situation+

Stevie 7on)e!5s 'it ly!ical essa&e is state) as a lovin& sentient an) &!u2y cat !es2on)s in a

'uo!ous facetious fas'ion to4a!) t'at notion+ A&ain A!istotle5s !easonin& fo! t'e pathos o)e

of 2e!suasion 4o!9s 'e!e+ T'e!e is a coical eotional !es2onse to4a!) a lovin& essa&e

!'eto!ically ans4e!e) 4it' facetiousness+ T'e au)ience can fin) coonality 4it' 2e!sonal

ex2e!iences of love $ein& offe!e) t'!ou&' an affectionate essa&e f!o soeone 4'o t'ey )i)

not 4ant to !eceive it+ In ans4e! to suc' a essa&e 2eo2le can often ties avoi) t'e

)iscofo!tin& situation t'!ou&' $ein& facetious+

c+ Logos6 An au)ience t'at can !elate to an un4ante) essa&e of love f!o soeone

t'ey a!e not inte!este) in 4oul) fin) t'is ee 'uo!ous in !elation to t'ei! o4n !eality an)

ex2e!ience+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le 4ant to $e love)+


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Many 2eo2le a22!eciate !eceivin& lovin& essa&es f!o soeone t'ey )esi!e to $e close

to+

T'e!e a!e oents 4'en suc' a &estu!e o! lovin& essa&e can $e un4ante) an)

un)esi!e) if t'e !eci2ient is not inte!este) in t'e &ive! of t'e essa&e+


All 2eo2le 4ant to $e love)+

Exce2t fo! e+

Even if you5!e faous li9e Stevie 7on)e! an) callin& to say >you love e I5ll let you9no4 t'at you )efinitely 'ave &otten t'e >4!on& nu$e! 6ust to t'!o4 you off of y

scent an) t'at is a )iffe!ent sto!y+

0/a+ thos6 #!e)i$ility is esta$lis'e) via

Ga!fiel) t'e cat5s fae an) 'is issue 4it'

t'is G!u2y #at5s !ise in 2o2ula!ity

visuali@e) t'!ou&' t'e co$ination of

G!u2y cat Ga!fiel) cat an) an ia&es

6uxta2ose) 4it' $ac9&!oun) an) 4!itten

essa&e content+ In te!s of c!e)i$ility even Ga!fiel) t'e faous ca!toon cat can !eco&ni@e The

Grumpy Cat 2'enoenon an) !aise issues !e&a!)in& 'e! 2o2ula!ity in a 'uo!ous fo!+

0/$+ athos6 T'is ia&e )iffe!s a $it in t'at a 9no4n cele$!ity ca!toon nae) Ga!fiel)

)elive!s a 4!itten essa&e t'at is su!!oun)in& &!u2y cat5s ia&e 4'ic' once a&ain evo9es an

eotional !es2onse )ue to coonality 4it' t'e au)ience an) t'ei! siila! ex2e!iences+ T'e

au)ience coul) !es2on) in lau&'te! to4a!) t'e i!ony of 'o4 2o2ula! Ga!fiel) 4as to 'is &ettin&

f!ust!ate) ove! t'is ne4 ove!ni&'t sensation The Grumpy Cat + Fo! 2eo2le failia! 4it' Ga!fiel)


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t'e cynical cat 4'o 2u$licly )e$ute) as a ca!toon coic st!i2 on Qune 0 0LC (Ret!ieve) A2!il

/ ./01 f!o 'tt2:JJ&a!fiel)+coJ6iD)avis* t'is text coul) $e ext!eely 'uo!ous+

0/c+ thos6 8ase) on 'isto!ical $ac9&!oun) t'e au)ience coul) vie4 t'e >fact t'at

Ga!fiel) 4'o 4as al4ays 9no4n as $ein& 'uo!ous fo! 'is cynical vie4 of t'e 4o!l) coul) $e

an&!y 4it' t'e ne4 !isin& 2o2ula!ity of G!u2y #at 4'o is facetious an) a$le to a9e ot'e!s

lau&' t'!ou&' t'e sae !oute of 'uo!+ 8ot' cats coul) $e )esc!i$e) as usin& 'uo!ous t4ists in

t'ei! lines of a!&uent su!!oun)in& a &iven to2ic+ T'is ee is even o!e 'uo!ous $ecause of

t'e co2etition $et4een $ot' 2e!sonalities+

Line of argument6

All 2eo2le li9e to lau&' an) li9e cats+

Many 2eo2le !eceive 'uo!ous essa&es out of facetious stateents )ue to vie4in& o!'ea!in& an o22osite !es2onse f!o t'e essa&e !eceive! in !es2onse to t'e essa&e &ive!+

Ga!fiel) an) The Grumpy Cat a!e t'ose ty2es of essa&e )elive!e!s &a!ne!in& siila!

au)ience !es2onses+


All 2eo2le li9e to lau&' an) li9e cats+

Many 2eo2le !eceive 'uo!ous essa&es out of facetious stateents )ue to vie4in& o!

'ea!in& an o22osite !es2onse f!o t'e essa&e !eceive! in !es2onse to t'e essa&e &ive!+Ga!fiel) can5t 'an)le t'e >fact t'at The Grumpy Cat is a $ette! essa&e )elive!e! of

'uo! )ue to t'ei! >&!u2iness t'an 'e is T'is a9es t'e ee ext!eely 'uo!ous+


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t'is G!u2y #at so counica$le+ Fo! t'is )iscussion I 4ill $e&in ans4e!in& !elevant !esea!c'

3uestions+

R E# 7'at a!e t'e 4ays t'at visual attention an) ve!$al cues 4o!9 to&et'e! to a9e The

Grumpy Cat memes successfu"? Recall t'e stu)y of kin"chenschema o! $a$y sc'eatics as

2!eviously !efe!!e) to in t'e lite!atu!e !evie4+ T'e t!aits an) featu!es of t'e &!u2y cat5s face an)

'e! ex2!ession clea!ly fall into line 4it' t'e )esc!i2tion of 4'at coul) cause an in)ivi)ual to

2e!ceive an ia&e as >cute+ T'is is one att!i$ute t'at len)s to 'e! 2o2ula!ity s'e is cute even

4'en s'e is &!u2y+ ue to t'is att!i$ute G!u2y #at is a$le to 4o!9 ve!$al cues o! text in

co!!elation 4it' 'e! ia&e to 2!esent a 'uo!ous essa&e t'at is catc'in& to au)iences+ T'e

!eason $e'in) 'e! catc'in& essa&es can $e foun) in &ainin& a )ee2e! un)e!stan)in& via

A!istotle5s !'eto!ical 2!oof 9no4n as athos. 8ecause t'e !easonin& of !'eto!ic !elies on 'o4 an

au)ience5s !eality can !elate t'!ou&' coonality o! siila! ex2e!ience 4it' a &iven essa&e

a$out a situation o! ci!custance t'is 'a) le) to an ex2lanation of 4'y The Grumpy Cat 'as

&a!ne!e) suc' attention an) 2o2ula!ity+ S'e is a$le to use 'e! o4n et'o) of style an)

a!!an&eent to )elive! essa&es t'at 'e! au)ience can !elate to t'!ou&' coonality an)

siila!ly s'a!e) ex2e!iences )e2en)in& on t'e au)ience5s !eality+ T'e te! !eality is use)

su$6ectively 'e!e+ Eac' in)ivi)ual 'as t'ei! o4n ve!sion o! !eality of a ci!custance o! situation

t'ey 'ave 'a) to !es2on) to o! )eal 4it'+ G!u2y cat 'a22ens to !elay facetious 'uo!ous

!es2onses to siila! ci!custances 4'ic' can t'en lea) 'e! au)ience into lau&'te! 4'ic' in tu!n

can $e t'e!a2eutic o! 'ealin& fo! t'e+ T'is ve!y fin)in& en&en)e!s !easonin& to int!o)uce 'o4

'uo! can $e t'e!a2eutic an) t'us 'ave 2ositive effects on 2eo2le+


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Humor as Therap

Nancy Mooney (.///* as a )i!ecto! of nu!sin& &ives a 2!ie exa2le of 'o4 'uo! can

$e use) as t'e!a2y in citin& Sc'unio!:

>In 'is 2oi&nant a!ticle >Nu!sin& an) t'e #oic Mas9 Sc'unio! (0C* tells t'e sto!y of

a )yin& oncolo&y 2atient Hen!y 4'o tells t'e follo4in& 6o9e to 'is ca!e&ive!s a$out t4o

iniste!s eetin& St+ Pete! at t'e Pea!ly Gates:

So t'en St+ Pete! tol) t'e Met'o)ist iniste! >ou love) oney so uc' you a!!ie)

a 4oan nae) Gol)ie+ 7e can5t let you in+ So t'e 8a2tist iniste! tu!ne) to 'is 4ife

an) sai) >%et5s &o Fanny ain5t no use ou! 4aitin& in t'is line

Aa@in&ly t'is 2atient foun) 'uo! as a et'o) of co2in& 4it' 'is o4n 2e!sonal 2ain

an) ana&e) to ente!tain 'is ca!e&ive!s at t'e en) of 'is life (2+CC*+

I $elieve t'e!e is t!ut' to t'e fact t'at t'e!e a!e ties 4'en 'uo! ay $e ina22!o2!iate

'o4eve! in t'is exa2le I can see t'e value of t'e 2atient5s nee) fo! lau&'te!+ >Huo! is an

i2o!tant 2a!t of t'e 'uan con)ition4e Klau&' until 4e c!y5 (Mooney .///*+ T'at stateent

'as a lite!al eleent to it as evi)ence 'as $een s'o4n to 2!ove t'at 'uo! )oes 'ave

2'ysiolo&ical effects on t'e 'uan $o)y+ Mooney (.///* notes t'e follo4in& !e&a!)in& t'is

atte!: >7illia F!y Q!+ (0C1* a 2'ysician 4'o 'as stu)ie) t'e 2'ysiolo&y of lau&'te! fo!

any yea!s tells us t'at Ki!t' an) its i!t'ful $e'avio! 'ave an i2act on ost of t'e

2'ysiolo&ic systes of t'e $o)y5 " $y inc!easin& t'e !es2i!ato!y activity an) oxy&en !ate

inc!easin& uscula! activity an) 'ea!t !ate an) inc!easin& t'e 2!o)uction of catec'olaines in


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t'e $o)y+ %au&'te! 'e says is an

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