A study of sense of humor: its relation to sex, age, and personal characteristics.

Omwake, Louise

doi:10.1037/h0055199

Cited by 26 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(1 reference statement)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…On some occasions, however, it may be caused by contrary emotional states such as embarrassment, apology, or confusion, for example, nervous laughter. Age, gender, education, language, and culture are all factors as to whether a person will experience laughter in a given situation (Omwake 1937).…”

Section: Laughtermentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review

Yim

2016

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

121

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In modern society, fierce competition and socioeconomic interaction stress the quality of life, causing a negative influence on a person's mental health. Laughter is a positive sensation, and seems to be a useful and healthy way to overcome stress. Laughter therapy is a kind of cognitive-behavioral therapies that could make physical, psychological, and social relationships healthy, ultimately improving the quality of life. Laughter therapy, as a non-pharmacological, alternative treatment, has a positive effect on the mental health and the immune system. In addition, laughter therapy does not require specialized preparations, such as suitable facilities and equipment, and it is easily accessible and acceptable. For these reasons, the medical community has taken notice and attempted to include laughter therapy to more traditional therapies. Decreasing stress-making hormones found in the blood, laughter can mitigate the effects of stress. Laughter decreases serum levels of cortisol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid (a major dopamine catabolite), indicating a reversal of the stress response. Depression is a disease, where neurotransmitters in the brain, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, are reduced, and there is something wrong in the mood control circuit of the brain. Laughter can alter dopamine and serotonin activity. Furthermore, endorphins secreted by laughter can help when people are uncomfortable or in a depressed mood. Laughter therapy is a noninvasive and non-pharmacological alternative treatment for stress and depression, representative cases that have a negative influence on mental health. In conclusion, laughter therapy is effective and scientifically supported as a single or adjuvant therapy.

show abstract

Section: Laughtermentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review

Yim

2016

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

121

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The M,items are related to the cognitivz decoding of humorous messages in general. There is no reason for believing that one gender is superior to the other in such a predisposition, although they may differ in preference for special kinds of humor or jokes (see e.g., O'Connell, 1960O'Connell, , 1962O'Connell, , 1969Omwake, 1937).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Revised questionnaire on the sense of humor

Svebak

1974

Scandinavian J Psychology

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract.— A Sense‐of‐Humor Questionnaire (SHQ), based on the proposed 3–dimensional theory of sense of humor, was given to male and female students in social and physical sciences to test its construct validity. There were positive and significant correlations between the laughter‐activating dimension (Mp) and each of the two laughter‐inhibiting dimensions (Lp, and Ep), the latter being zero correlated with each other. In a two‐way analysis of variance (sex X science), the main effects were a sex difference on the Lp‐ as well as Ep‐dimension, while no main effect was found on the Mp‐dimension. The Lp‐scores discriminated between men and women in the social sciences, and the Ep‐scores in the physical sciences. All results are in agreement with theory.

show abstract

“…In fact, if a person is asked to account for an expression, he or she can quickly duck behind the “just kidding” defense and perhaps raise the “don't you have a sense of humor” offense. These are particularly effective due to the importance that virtually all Americans place on having a “good sense of humor” (Hassett and Houlihan 1979; Omwake 1937; Rappoport 2005).…”

Section: Theory and Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Humorous Assaults on Patriarchal Ideology*

Case

Lippard

2009

Sociological Inquiry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Humor is a significant weapon in interpersonal and intergroup conflict and competition. Over the centuries, males have used humor and jokes to create and perpetuate patriarchal ideals, relationships, and structures. Today, feminists and other proponents of gender equality use humor to deconstruct patriarchal ideologies and sexist stereotypes. This exploratory study analyzes a collection of over 1,700 jokes identified as feminist and women's humor to discover what these jokes suggest with regard to the male-dominant structure in society and how these jokes are subversive in attempting to disrupt gender stereotypes and roles. We find that the humor of women and feminists seeks, in part, to discredit assumptions of males' superiority, masterfulness, sexual prowess, and extraordinary value to women and society. These jokes may, however, also work to reinforce stereotypes associated with men and women: "If they could send a man to the moon, why not just send all of them?"

show abstract

A study of sense of humor: its relation to sex, age, and personal characteristics.

Cited by 26 publications

References 3 publications

Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review

Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review

Revised questionnaire on the sense of humor

Humorous Assaults on Patriarchal Ideology*

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About