Locus of Control and the Aggression Inhibiting Effects of Aggressive Humor Appreciation

Abstract

Empirical investigation into the theoretical connection between humor appreciation and aggression has provided a continued series of equivocal results. This experiment examined the proposition that previous inconsistencies were due to the lack of concern for individual locus of control. Female subjects, differentiated as internals and externals, received either an aggression arousal induction procedure or a neutral nonarousal procedure. Subjects were presented three stimulus situations: neutral humor, aggressive humor, or nonhumorous material, and assessed for mood state. Locus of control was found to be a significant variable in the effectiveness of aggressive humor to reduce aggressive mood. Internals were able to reduce aggressive mood through appreciation of aggressive humor and demonstrated preference for this humor type. Importance of internals' cognitive style interacting with humor content was found significant in relationship between humor and aggressive reduction.

Cognitive and emotional demands of black humour processing: the role of intelligence, aggressiveness and mood

“…Bowker and Etkin 2014; McCauley et al 1983; Prerost 1983). Therefore, it would not have been a surprise for this study to show that subjects who enjoy reading cartoons dealing with nasty or morbid contents also show high levels of aggression.…”

“…In a rating task study, McCauley and colleagues (1983) found a substantial association between humour and aggression as independent groups of subjects judged a set of cartoons. Prerost (1983) showed that individuals in an aggressive mood perceived aggressive humour as funnier than subjects in a non-aggressive mood. Moreover, the arousal levels in individuals in an aggressive mood lead to an increased appreciation of aggressive humour.…”

Sexual Desire and the Dissipation of Anger Arousal Through Humor Appreciation; Gender and Content Issues

“…On the Nowlis-Green mood Adjective Checklist (Nowlis, 1965), the aggression scale which reflects on anger showed the anger arousal manipulation increased from 8.65 to 15.20 for females and 8.43 to 16.12 for males. The differences between them were found to be significant (p < .001) in previous research) Prerost, 1983Prerost, , 1987. For control, a nonarousal procedure was devised which produced no significant effect on mood state.…”

“…Cronbach alpha coefficients ranged from .69 to .81. This instrument has been widely used by researchers and is consistent with the method of assessment in other cited articles (Prerost, 1983(Prerost, , 1987.…”

“…The nonarousal procedure included written material lacking in any derogatory remarks and the experimenter made neutral appearances to the participants. Previous research has shown the Nowlis-Green Mood Adjective Checklist to be unaffected by the procedures ) Prerost, 1983Prerost, , 1987.…”