Superiority Theory

I've been kicking around something of a comedy theory in the back of my head for a little while now, something I've been naming the "Superiority Theory." The fact that such a theory likely already exists in some dim landscape beyond my comprehension does not yet phase me.

Basically, the theory is that audiences, people, friends are willing to laugh with people they psychologically deem superior or equal to themselves, while they'll only laugh at people who're inferior to themselves. Seems pretty obvious. But a lot of the recent time I've spent around comedy clubs and at work at SNL indicates that two people could tell the same joke and based on the psychological relationship between that person and the listening party, the reaction will differ.

Just a theory. And obviously, there are a few caveats, but I think it's a good jumping off point for developing a working theory of comedy. I'm also a dumbass.