How to Choose your Humor Type

Posted on November 13, 2007 
Filed Under Humor, Life, Psychology


In today’s character stakes, nothing is more highly valued than a sense of humor. We seek it out in others and are proud to claim it in ourselves, perhaps even more than good looks or intelligence. If someone has a great sense of humor, we reason, it means that they are happy, socially confident and have a healthy perspective on life.

Four styles of humor have been identified. They are affiliative humor, self-enhancing humor, aggressive humor and self-defeating humor.

Self-Enhancing Humor:

This style of humor is usually used as a coping mechanism to deal with life’s stress andhumor misfortunes. People who use self-enhancing humor tend to be easy-going (”a nice guy” or “gal”). They are not necessarily extroverted but maintain a humorous and positive outlook on life where they tend to “roll with the punches.”

Affiliative Humor:

This is humor that is non-hostile, sometimes self-deprecating and always life affirming. Researchers have found that affiliative humor can reduce tension and facilitate relationships. Affiliative humor is associated with self-assured social extroverts who are “the life of the party.” These people can beguile others with jokes and amusing stories. People who use affiliative humor are perceived as likeable and non-threatening and, as a result, they attract people to them, thereby bringing people together.                                                                                                               

Aggressive Humor:

Aggressive humor can be negative or positive. For example, it can be negatively used tohumor manipulate or ridicule others. Those who use aggressive humor for negative purposes can be understood in terms of superiority theory. The premise is that people laugh when they feel superior to others. A bully often uses aggressive humor for this purpose. The more negative the aggressive humor, the greater the bully’s glee.

Positive aggressive humor includes satire and teasing. While the message may be reprimanding, the communication contains constructive criticism delivered in a humorous way.

Self-Defeating Humor:

This is humor at one’s own expense, i.e., self-deprecation. People who use self-defeating humor usually are trying to raise their status by endearing themselves to others. They tend to be emotionally needy and suffer from low self-esteem.

Instead of “the end” : Humor benefit

 

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    One Response to “How to Choose your Humor Type”

    1. Auto Loan on March 7th, 2008 7:20 pm

      My cousin who works as a Flour Miller presented to me your reports over Personal development for a perfect life . I hunted for quite a bit more stories that hepled me , Thanks

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