Skip to main content
Book cover

Handbook of Humor Research pp 135–157Cite as

Humor and Laughter in Social Interaction and some Implications for Humor Research

  • Chapter

Abstract

In modern analyses of humor and laughter, social scientists have begun to recognize the potential importance of social variables. But this recognition is by no means universal. For example, Berlyne (1972) alleged that because laughter can be generated in a solitary individual, “it seems doubtful that its prime significance is a social one” (p. 51). The view taken in this account is more in line with that of Hertzler (1970) who wrote of laughter: “[it] is a social phenomenon. It is social in its origin, in its processual occurrence, in its functions, and in its effects” (p. 28). That view borders on an extreme, but nonetheless humor’s social functions may be its most crucial for modern man. Humor can serve as a useful and convenient triggering device permitting laughter to serve a myriad of functions in a manner that is, at least physically, harmless.

Keywords

  • Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation
  • Mobile Laboratory
  • Social Facilitation
  • Intergroup Relation
  • British Psychological Society

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4612-5572-7_7
  • Chapter length: 23 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-1-4612-5572-7
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

Reference Notes

  1. Chapman, A. J. Humor and social responsiveness. Paper presented at the Bi-Annual General Meeting of the European Association of Experimental Social Psychology, Weimar (DDR), 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chapman, A. J. Children’s humour and laughter. Paper presented to the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society, Developmental Section, Durham, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Chapman, A. J. Response to humor or to the social situation? Paper presented to the Third International Conference on Humor, Washington, D.C., 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chapman, A. J. Children’s social interactions in same-age and mixed-age dyads. Paper presented to the Developmental Section at the London Conference of the British Psychological Society, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chapman, A. J. Mixed-age effects in children’s social and humor responsiveness. Paper presented to the Second International Conference on Humor, Los Angeles, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Bem, D. J. Self-perception: An alternative interpretation of cognitive dissonance phenomenon. Psychological Review, 1967, 74, 183–200.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Laughter, humor and play. In G. Lindzey & E. Aronson (Eds.), Handbook of Social Psychology (Vol. 3). Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berlyne, D. E. Humor and its kin. In J. H. Goldstein & P. E. McGhee (Eds.)., The psychology of humor. New York: Academic Press. 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourhis, R. Y., Gadfleld, N. J., Giles, H., & Tajfel, H. Context and ethnic humour in intergroup relations. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brackett, C. W. Laughing and crying of preschool children. Journal of Experimental Education, 1933, 2, 119–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brackett, C. W. Laughing and crying of preschool children. Child Development Monographs, 1934, No. 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradney, P. The joking relationship in industry. Human Relations, 1957, 10, 179–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breakwell, G. M., Foot, H. C., Gilmour, R Social psychology: A practical manual. London: British Psychological Society and Macmillan Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bridges, K. M. Emotional development in early infancy. Child Development, 1932, 3, 324–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Some aspects of the social facilitation of “humorous laughter” in children. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Leicester, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Funniness of jokes, canned laughter and recall performance. Sociometry, 1973, 36, 569–578. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Social facilitation of laughter in children. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1973, 9, 528–541.(b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. An experimental study of socially facilitated “humorous laughter.” Psychological Reports, 1974, 35, 727–734.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Eye contact, physical proximity and laughter: A re-examination of the equilibrium model of social intimacy. Social Behavior and Personality, 1975, 3, 143–155.(a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Humorous laughter in children. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1975, 31, 42–49.(b)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Social aspects of humorous laughter. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. Spoleczne aspekty smiechu dzieciecego na tie komizmu. Przeglad Psychologiczny, 1979, 22, 89–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J. The psychology of laughter. In B. B. Wolman (Ed.), International encyclopedia of psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis, and neurology (Progress Volume). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Chapman, W. A. Responsiveness to humor: Its dependency upon a companion’s humorous smiling and laughter. Journal of Psychology, 1974, 88, 245–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Crompton, P. Humorous presentations of material and presentations of humorous material: A review of the humour and memory literature and two experimental studies. In M. M. Gruneberg, P. E. Morris, & R. N. Sykes (Eds.), Practical aspects of memory, London: Academic Press, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Foot, H. C. Humour and laughter: theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Foot, H. C. It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Foot, H. C. The psychology of humour. Trends in Neurciences, 1981, 4, IV–VIII.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Gadfield, N. J. Is sexual humor sexist? Journal of Communication, 26, 141–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., Smith, J. R., & Foot, H. C. Language, humour and intergroup relations. In H. Giles (Ed.), Language, ethnicity and intergroup relations. London: Academic Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., Smith, J. R., & Foot, H. C. Humour, laughter, and social interaction. In P. E. Mhee & A. J. Chapman (Eds.), Children’s humour. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., Smith, J. R., Foot, H. C., & Pritchard, E. Behavioural and sociometric indices of friendship in children. In M. Cook & G. D. Wilson (Eds.), Love and attraction. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Speck, L. J. M. Humorous laughter and relief of anxiety in first-born children. Journal of Individual Psychology, 1977, 33, 37–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. J., & Wright, D. S. Social enhancement of laughter: An experimental analysis of some companion variables. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1976, 21, 201–218.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coser, R. L. Some social functions of laughter: A study of humor in a hospital setting. Human Relations, 1959, 12, 171–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coser, R. L. Laughter among colleagues: A study of the social functions of humor among the staff of a mental hospital. Psychiatry, 1960, 23, 81–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J. M., & Farina, A. Humor appreciation as social communication. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1970, 15, 175–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, G. F. & Jersild, A. T. A study of the laughing and smiling of preschool children. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 1932, 40, 452–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enders, A. C. A study of the laughter of the preschool child in the Merrill-Palmer Nursery School. Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, 1927, 8, 341–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fine, G. A. Humour and communication: Discussion. In H. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.(a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fine, G. A. Humour in situ: The role of humour in small group culture. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Foot, H. C., & Chapman, A. J. Laugh and the world laughs with you. Psychology Today (UK), 1975, 1, 42–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foot, H. C., & Chapman, A. J. The social responsiveness of young children in humorous situations. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foot, H. C., Chapman, A. J., & Smith, J. R. Friendship and social responsiveness in boys and girls. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1977, 35, 401–411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foot, H. C., Chapman, A. J., & Smith, J. R. Non-verbal expressions of intimacy in children. In M. Cook & G. D. Wilson (Eds.), Love and attraction. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foot, H. C., Chapman, A. J., & Smith, J. R. Patterns of interaction in children’s friendships. In H. C. Foot, A. J. Chapman, & J. R. Smith (Eds.), Friendship and Social Relations in Children. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fry, W. F., Jr., & Allen, M. Make ’em laugh: Life studies of comedy writers. Palo Alto, Cal.: Science and Behavior Books, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. G., & Gange, J. J. Drive theory of social facilitation: Twelve years of theory and research. Psychological Bulletin. 1977, 84, 1267–1288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giles, H. Bourhis, R. Y., Gadfield, N. J., Davies, G. J., & Davies, A. P. Cognitive aspects of humour in social interaction: A model and some linguistic data. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giles, H., & Oxford, G. S. Towards a multidimensional theory of laughter causation and its social implications. Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 1970, 23, 97–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, A. N. Drive theory of social facilitation: A critical appraisal. British Journal of Social Psychology, 1982, 21, 265–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, J. H. Theoretical notes on humor. Journal of Communication, 1976, 26, 102–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, J. H. Cross-cultural research: Humor here and there. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humor. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodchilds, J. D. Effects of being witty on position in the social structure of a small group. Sociometry, 1959, 22, 261–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodchilds, J. D. On being witty: Causes, correlates and consequences. In J. H. Goldstein & P. E. McGhee(Eds.), The Psychology of humor: Theoretical perspectives and empirical issues. New York: Academic Press, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodchilds, J. D., & Smith, E. E. The wit and his group. Human Relations, 1964, 17, 23–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich, A. J., Henry, J., & Goodrich, D. W. Laughter in psychiatric staff conferences: A sociopsychiatric analysis. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1954, 24, 175–184.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gormly, C. M. R., Chapman, A. J., Foot, H. C., & Sweeney, C. A. Accomodation in children’s mixed-age social interactions. In H. Giles, W. P. Robinson, & P. M. Smith (Eds.), Language: Social psychological perspectives. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregg, A., Miller, M., & Linton, E. Laughter situations as an indication of social responsiveness in young children. In D. S. Thomas (Ed.), Some new techniques for studying social behavior. New York: Teachers College, 1929.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruner, C. R. Wit and humour in mass communication. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruner, C. R. Understanding laughter: The workings of wit and humor. Chicago: Nelson Hall, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertzler, J. O. Laughter: A socio-scientific analysis. New York: Exposition Press, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, E. The child’s laughter. Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 1946, 2, 39–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kane, T. R., Suls, J. M., & Tedeschi, J. Humour as a tool of social interaction. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenderdine, M. Laughter in the pre-school child. Child Development, 1931, 2, 228–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klapp, O. E. The tool as a social type. American Journal of Sociology, 1950, 55, 157–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Fave, L. Ethnic humour: From paradoxes towards principles. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), I’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Gaipa, J. J. The effects of humour on the flow of social conversation. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leventhal, H., & Cupchik, G. C. The informational and facilitative effects of an audience upon expression and evaluation of humorous stimuli. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1975, 11, 363–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leventhal, H., & Mace, W. The effect of laughter on the evaluation of a slapstick movie. Journal of Personality, 1970, 38, 16–30.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, J. (Ed.) Motivation in humor. New York: Atherton Press, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martineau, W. H. A model of the social functions of humor. In J. H. Goldstein & P. E. Mhee (Eds.), The psychology of humor. New York: Academic Press, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matusewicz, C. Humor, dowcip, wychowanie. Warsaw: Nasza Ksiengarnia, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mhee, P. E. Humor: Its origin and development. San Francisco: Freeman, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mhee, P. E., & Chapman, A. J. Children’s humour. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mechanic, D. Students under stress. New York: Free Press of Glencoe, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milgram, S. Some conditions of obedience and disobedience to authority. Human Relations, 1965, 18, 57–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, F. C. Humor in a Chippewa tribal council. Ethnology, 1967, 6, 263–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborne, K. A., & Chapman, A. J. Suppression of adult laughter: An experimental approach. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, M. L. An arousal model of interpersonal intimacy. Psychological Review, 1976, 83, 235–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, M. L. A sequential functional model of nonverbal exchange. Psychological Review, 1982, 89, 231–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollio, H. R., Mers, R., & Lucchesi, W. Humor, laughter, and smiling: Some preliminary observations of funny behaviors. In J. H. Goldstein & P. E. McGhee (Eds.), The psychology of humor: Theoretical perspectives and empirical issues. New York: Academic Press, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, C. Humour as a form of social control: A deviance approach. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radcliffe-Brown, A. R. On joking relationships. Africa, 1940, 13, 195–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ransohoff, R. Some observations on humor and laughter in young adolescent girls. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1975, 4, 155–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rickwood, L. V. The arousal mechanism of humour appreciation and its interaction with motivational arousal, muscular tension and stress-related arousal. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Manchester, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothbart, M. K. Laughter in young children. Psychological Bulletin, 1973, 80, 247–256.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rothbart, M. K. Incongruity, problem-solving and laughter. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, L. W. An ecological study of glee in small groups of preschool children. Child Development, 1975, 46, 53–61.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, L. W. Ecological determinants of gleeful behaviours in two nursery school environments. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour, Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. E., & Goodchilds, J. D. Characteristics of the witty group member: The wit as leader. American Psychologist, 1959, 14, 375–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. E. & Goodchilds, J. D. The wit in large and small established groups. Psychological Reports, 1963, 13, 273–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sroufe, L. A., & Waters, E. The ontogenesis of laughter and smiling: A perspective on the organization of development in infancy. Psychological Review, 1976, 83, 173–189.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sykes, A. J. M. Joking relationships in an industrial setting. American Anthropologist, 1966, 68, 188–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tajfel, H. Social identity and intergroup behaviour. Social Sciences Information, 1974, 13, 65–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuckman, B. W. Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 1965, 63, 384–399.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hooff, J. A. R. A. M. A comparative approach to the phylogeny of laughter and smiling. In R. A. Hinde (Ed.), Non-verbal communication. Cambridge, Eng.: Cambridge University Press, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, S. M. Mild social stress and human performance: the role of competition, evaluation and the presence of others. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Durham, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, C. O. A study of laughter situations among young children. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Nebraska, 1931.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, C. P. Jokes: Form, content, use and function. London: Academic Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolosin, R. J. Cognitive similarity and group laughter. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1975, 32, 503–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. D., & Frye, M. Some are laughing: Some are not—why? Psychological Reports, 1966, 18, 747–754.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zenner, W. Joking and ethnic stereotyping. Anthropological Quarterly, 1970, 43, 93–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zillmann, D. Humour and communication: Introduction. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), It’s a funny thing, humour. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zillmann, D., & Cantor, J. R. A disposition theory of humour and mirth. In A. J. Chapman & H. C. Foot (Eds.), Humour and laughter: Theory, research and applications. Chichester, Eng.: Wiley, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Antony J. Chapman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Home and Family Life, Texas Tech University, 79409, Lubbock, Texas, USA

    Paul E. McGhee

  2. Division of Social Psychology, Temple University, 19122, Philadelphia, Pannsylvania, USA

    Jeffrey H. Goldstein

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chapman, A.J. (1983). Humor and Laughter in Social Interaction and some Implications for Humor Research. In: McGhee, P.E., Goldstein, J.H. (eds) Handbook of Humor Research. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5572-7_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5572-7_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-5574-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-5572-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive