Experiencing Humor in Everyday Life

Abstract

When introducing students to the psychological literature on humor, I have usually found it both enjoyable and fruitful to begin by having them present personal examples of humor and funniness. Most people are eager to talk about funny events that have occurred in their lives, and though others may not judge the events to be as funny as the person describing them, they usually end up laughing along with the storyteller, if only in response to the storyteller’s own laughter. What is being shared in these “show and tell” exercises is an appreciation of our “sense of humor,” our readiness to respond with laughter to all sorts of experiences that otherwise could have caused us embarassment and grief.