CLASSIC DOMESTIC THINKERS’ IDEAS ON HUMOR AND LAUGHTER AND MODERN PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMOR

In the article parallels are assumed between different ideas of classic domestic thinkers on humor and laughter, on the one hand, and research directions of modern humor psychology, on the other hand. In particular, conceptions of «positive» and «negative» humor styles are regarded, cognitive and emotional aspects of humor, distinction between humorous and other kinds of laughter. It is shown how the problems of correlation between humor, shame and fear, laughing person’s position inside or outside the laughter, are investigated in modern personality psychology and clinical psychology. The problem of correlation between wit and creativity is put into the context of empirical studies of humor in gifted people.