Forget Spanish or French. For some people, sarcasm is a second language. While everyone lobs a snarky remark here and there, a sarcastic person expresses humour in verbal irony by making statements that defy their literal meaning. However, sarcasm isn't necessarily a bad trait to possess. Below are just a few things you should know about sarcastic individuals and their shared smart-alec personality type

1. IT MAY BE A GOOD SIGN OF BRAIN HEALTH

Research shows that a little sarcasm can be a good thing when it comes to cognitive function. In fact, an inability to detect sarcasm may even be a sign of brain problems or disease, like dementia.Through a series of MRIs, scientists found that sarcasm lives in the parahippocampal gyrus, the part of the brain associated with memory . How's that for a reason to sharpen your wit

2. IT HELPS YOU PICK FRIENDS

Sarcastic people tend to dish out their snark more with their loved ones than anyone else. This makes it important that they surround themselves with people who appreciate their sense of humour (which research shows is crucial to social connection).Sarcastic people appreciate people who not only have the ability to tolerate their smartass comments, but can give them back.

3. YOU'RE GOOD AT SHOWING AFFECTION

I hate you = I love you to someone with a biting sense of humour. There does seem to be truth to the old adage that you tend to tease the ones you love, sarcasm researcher and psychologist Penny Pexman told Smithsonian magazine.

Sarcastic people show affection by way of snark. That being said, psychologists recommend curbing the remarks for the sake of certain relationships. What sarcastic people view as playful, others may see as hostile.

4. IT MIGHT MAKE YOU MORE CREATIVE

A recent study found that smart alecs may be more inventive. Participants who made sarcastic remarks -as well as the receivers of those remarks -did better on creativity tests. The study also found that sarcasm may jumpstart a person's abstract thinking. 

5. YOU KNOW HOW TO DE-ESCALATE A SITUATION

While conflict can arise with a sarcastic remark, those closest to a smart alec know it's just their sense of humour -at least according to research.

Our studies show that, given the same content and tone, sarcasm expressed toward or received from someone we trust is less conflict provoking than sarcasm expressed toward or received from someone we distrust, wrote Francesca Gino, a behavioural scientist and professor.

6. SARCASM RULES THE WORLD

Sharp wit has been revered for ages. Researchers have been studying sarcasm for at least a decade and the trend has per meated culture much longer than that. One phone analysis study found when people used the phrase, `yeah, right', it was said sarcastically 23 percent of the time. What's more, children are exposed to it from an early age, making it highly likely they understand sarcasm before they even get to kindergarten.

7. SARCASTIC PEOPLE THINK ON ANOTHER LEVEL

There's a common saying that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit but the highest form of intelligence. That may be right Sarcasm really is a workout for the noggin. Research shows the brain has to work harder to process snarky remarks, the Smithsonian reported, which may lead to a sharper brain overall through problem solving.

8. MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR SURVIVAL

The inability to detect snark in modern society is more of a hindrance than a help, according to experts. Research shows sarcasm may be seen as an evolutionary survival skill because of its critical role in social interactions. In other words, smart-ass comments are simply part of human behaviour at this point


Source: Times of India

BDST: 1649 HRS, DEC- 13, 2015
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor