A review of the theoretical and empirical literature from the field of humor and from that of intercultural communication showed that no investigations dealt with the possibility that a sense of humor might serve as an indicator of intercultural communication effectiveness. This study was conducted in order to assess that possibility. This paper has set out to answer the following questions: What cognitive processes are common to a sense of humor and to intercultural communication effectiveness? What does one's ability to create and appreciate humor say about that individual's potential for intercultural communication effectiveness? Through the review of the literature, specific connections were suggested as theoretical connecting points or parallels. The processes suggested as common to humor and intercultural communication included the following: the ability to note difference; the ability to note and appreciate incongruity; the ability to process information both analytically and synthetically; the ability to shift frame of reference; the ability to perceive, communicate and maintain multiple perspectives; a tolerance for ambiguity; the possession of an internal locus of control; and the ability to act and react appropriately to others and to context. In an attempt to develop a theoretical link between these processes considered crucial to a sense of humor and to intercultural communication effectiveness, cognitive complexity theory was examined. Through this examination it was found that the cognitively complex individual possessed qualities and abilities consistent with those which had been found to be typical of people with a sense of humor and with people considered to be effective intercultural communicators. This suggested that cognitive complexity could serve as the theoretical tool by which a sense of humor may be seen as an indicator of intercultural communication effectiveness.

This study examined the moderating impact of gender on the use of humor during employment interviews. Consistent with expectancy violation theory, I hypothesized that the use of humor by female candidates would cause more extreme evaluations than the use of humor by male candidates. In other words, when positive (affiliative) humor is used, females will be rated more positively than males, but when negative (aggressive) humor is used, females will be rated more negatively than males. I also hypothesized that the relationship between humor condition and evaluations would be partially mediated by state positive affect. I also posed a research question regarding how recall of what was said in the interview would relate to humor and evaluations. This experiment was a 2 (gender) x 3 (affiliative humor, aggressive humor, no humor) factorial design. Participants received brief interviewer training, interviewed a confederate playing another participant as the applicant, and then completed measures. Data from 221 undergraduate students were analyzed. Results demonstrate support of some hypotheses, including a main effect of humor condition on evaluations and partial mediation of state positive affect. Practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

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In utilizing humorous intervention within the psychotherapeutic milieu, researchers have indicated that there is a relationship between an individual's sense of humor and stressful emotions, specifically anxiety. However, the nature of this relationship is uncertain. While some scientists propose a direct relationship between humor and anxiety, others hypothesize an inverse relationship. This study was designed to investigate this relationship, hypothesizing that the greater an individual's sense of humor, the more likely the individual would experience anxiety in social situations. The subjects were 143 male and female undergraduates. These volunteers were administered the Situational Humor Response Questionnaire (SHRQ) and the Interaction and Audience Anxiousness Scales (IAS and AAS). Pearson Product - Moment correlation coefficients were computed to analyze sense of humor (SHRQ scores) and social anxiety (IAS & AAS scores). The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between sense of humor and social anxiety, i.e., the greater the sense of humor, the lower the anxiety in social situations. Discussion of the results center on the alternative explanations of this relationship.

Thesis (M.A. in Theological Studies)--Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-182).