London - Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but psychologists have found that it makes people more creative.
Even those at the receiving end of a sarcastic comment are likely to benefit, experts say.
Academics think a barbed exchange triggers the creative juices, and in many cases does not exacerbate conflict.
Researchers from Harvard and Colombia universities in the US and the Insead business school in France found that people involved in a sarcastic exchange were up to three times more creative in a range of tests.
They suggest that making and understanding a sarcastic comment involves the brain switching into an “abstract” thinking mode, which boosts creativity.
The team warns that bosses who try to stop their staff from making fun of each other may end up reducing their productivity.
Researcher Dr Li Huang, of the Insead school, said: “A lot of advice is now being offered on how to eradicate sarcasm from the workplace, to avoid interpersonal friction and conflict.
“But the current research suggests that, by doing so, organisations would throw out the baby with the bath water, jeopardising the cognitive benefits of sarcasm.”
The researchers wrote: “We have shown that creativity is enhanced following all types of sarcasm, from sarcastic anger and criticism to sarcastic compliments and banters.”
Daily Mail