Communicating so that a highly complex stimulus in which two mutually incompatible frames of reference are linked together, producing a physiological reflex, laughter. It serves both the physical and psychological functions of releasing surplus tension.
Since humour depends so heavily on shared frames of reference, it is difficult to apply cross-culturally.
Humour allows potentially dangerous tensions to be dissolved.
Humour only creates the milieu in which dialogue and openness are possible.