Draft:Timoteo Theory
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Last edited by Qwerfjkl (bot) (talk | contribs) 2 seconds ago. (Update) |
| Field | Linguistics, Psychology, Literature |
|---|
Timoteo Theory is a rhetorical and literary concept describing a type of statement or narrative structure where an apparently normal or straightforward setup is followed by a contradictory, unsettling, or reality-distorting twist. This technique creates a cognitive shift in the audience by subverting initial expectations.
Description
[edit]The Timoteo Theory exemplifies how language and narrative can lead an audience through a seemingly familiar or stable premise before abruptly revealing a contradictory truth or twist that challenges perception. This often produces effects such as surprise, humor, irony, or psychological discomfort.
A typical example might be: "Let’s say you have normal vision... you’re actually colorblind." The first clause establishes a baseline assumption, which the second clause contradicts, creating a dissonant effect.
Related Concepts
[edit]The mechanisms underlying the Timoteo Theory align with well-studied phenomena such as:
- Cognitive dissonance, the psychological tension that arises when confronted with conflicting information or beliefs (Festinger, 1957).
- Subversion of expectations, a narrative technique used in literature and humor where anticipated outcomes are deliberately overturned to surprise or provoke thought (Hutcheon, 1985).
- Anti-humor, a form of humor that derives its effect from a lack of conventional punchline or from deliberately defying comedic norms (McGraw & Warren, 2010).
Applications
[edit]This theory has practical relevance in various fields including:
- Literary and narrative analysis for examining plot twists and irony.
- Humor studies, particularly internet meme culture where abrupt, contradictory statements are prevalent.
- Psychological discourse exploring how language influences perception and belief.
References
[edit]- Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.
- Hutcheon, L. (1985). A Theory of Parody: The Teachings of Twentieth-Century Art Forms. Methuen.
- McGraw, A. P., & Warren, C. (2010). Benign violations: Making immoral behavior funny. Psychological Science, 21(8), 1141–1149. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610376073
- Turner, M. (1996). The Literary Mind: The Origins of Thought and Language. Oxford University Press.
- Zillmann, D. (1996). The psychology of suspense in dramatic exposition. In P. Vorderer, H. J. Wulff, & M. Friedrichsen (Eds.), Suspense: Conceptualizations, theoretical analyses, and empirical explorations (pp. 199–231). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
See also
[edit]- Narrative technique
- Irony
- Paradox
- Rhetorical device
- Cognitive bias