Delivering sarcasm and detecting it are two different matters. And this may be why: Sarcasm originates in certain (unknown) brain center(s) necessary for understanding and producing sarcastic material. Discerning external sarcasm, however, involves at least one more step, possibly mediated by a white matter pathway (not "center") connecting words heard with an interpretation of words heard.
Brain Sarcasm Centre "Totally Found"
By Neuroskeptic
A new study published in the journal Neurocase made headlines this week. Headlines like: “Sarcasm Center Found In Brain’s White Matter.“ The paper reports that damage to a particular white matter pathway in the brain, the right sagittal stratum, is associated with difficulty in perceiving a sarcastic tone of voice.
The authors studied 24 patients who had suffered white matter damage after a stroke. In some cases, the lesions included the sagittal stratum in the right hemisphere, and these individuals performed worse on a test in which they had to decide whether statements like “This looks like a safe boat!” were sincere or sarcastic, based on the tone of voice.
So – do these findings mean we’ve found the brain’s sarcasm center?
Yeah.
[That "yeah" is sarcastic, if you're white matter-impaired and can't tell by the tone.]
Keep reading: Brain Sarcasm Centre "Totally Found" – Neuroskeptic.
