Humour differs throughout cultures, age ranges, and even over time. Psychologists (Freud, cough) suggested that humour was a defense mechanism against obstacles and things that one found distressing, but that idea slowly shifted towards the definition that humour was a way to tackle one's inner fears. In the Western world, it has long been embraced, from the Commedia Dell'arte to Greek plays. However, in the East, specifically China, Confucianism rejected comedy in favour of seriousness and self-actualization. These two varying behaviours towards humour are one of the many ways it's adapted over time. Research has also shown that it's also more commonly used with Westerners, leading to the possible further development of it as compared to those in the east. For example, in Japan, humour is not nearly as much of an important coping device as it is in, say, the USA. If you ever haven't understood a joke from your colleagues from other ethnic b...
