Share
How do you stop an annoyingprankster?
By turning the tables and pranking them, of course!
Its the good ol rule of ethics: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
If you cant take someone pranking you, you shouldnt be playing practical jokes on others, right?
The uncle inthis storyhad to find this out the hard way.
As he enjoyedprankingkids by literally bursting their balloons, one family member decided to teach him a lesson.
While some like sneaking a fart cushion on someone elses seat, others might find it wildly distasteful.
But what about the times the prankster is a grown-up and directs the prank at a child?
Are kids always able to understand when something is a joke or might they sometimes take pranks too literally?
Experts say that so that get a prank, a person requires a well-developed theory of mind.
From 4 to 12 years old, kidslack critical reasoning, so theyre perfect targets for pranks.
And they even might pull some practical jokes of their own.
However, experts also say that theres a thin line between pranking and bullying.
When its adults pranking children, its often from the realm of punching-down humor.
When a practical joke violates trust, its no longer funny for the one whos being pranked.
Its hard to see how that happens if you smack someone on the head.
They feel rather hurt that a thing they view as akin to a toy just got destroyed.
So, were the uncles pranks really practical jokes or just a form of bullying?
Thats why more people say they like pranking others than being pranked themselves.
Whenpranks go too far, they can even be a form of emotional and psychological abuse.
When a prank scares or humiliates a person, its not really a joke, is it?
Professor of Psychology Kathleen M. Pikewritesthat the relationship between the prankster and the prankee comes into play here.
When the outcome of the prank is hurtful instead of humorous, play drains away.
It is no longer fun and games but something else masquerading as a prank.
A good prank is one where both sides can have a laugh afterward.
If the intention is to humiliate the prankee,pranks backfirespectacularly.
If this happens, ask the pranker a simple question: What about this wasfunnyto me?
Break it down and explain it to me.'
Check out the results:
