Contents 

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

1.1 The Rationale of the Study-1

1.2 The Objectives and Significance of the Study-1

1.3 Brief Introduction of the Sitcom Friends-1

1.4 The Organization of the Study-2

Chapter 2 Literature Review-3

2.1 The Definitions of Humor-3

2.2 The Classifications of Humor-3

2.3 Previous Studies on Humor-4

2.3.1 Traditional Studies on Humor-4

2.3.2 Modern Studies on Humor-5

2.3.3 Studies on Humor at Home-6

2.3.4 Cooperative Principle-6

Chapter 3 Methodology-9

3.1 Method-9

3.2 Materials-9

3.3 Data Collection Procedure-9

3.4 Data Analysis-9

Chapter 4 Analysis of Verbal Humor in Friends-11

4.1 Cooperative Principle and Verbal Humor-11

4.2 Analysis of Verbal Humor in Friends-12

4.2.1 Humor Generated by the Violation of the Maxim of Quantity.-12

4.2.2 Humor Generated by the Violation of the Maxim of Quality.-13

4.2.3 Humor Generated by the Violation of the Maxim of Relation-14

4.2.4 Humor Generated by the Violation of the Maxim of Manner-14

4.3 Gender Differences of Humor From the Perspective of Cooperative Principle-15

4.4 Limitations of Cooperative Principle-16

Chapter 5 Conclusion-17

5.1 Findings of the Study-17

5.2 Limitations of the Study-17

5.3 Suggestions for Further Study-17

References-19

Acknowledgments-20