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Ahh…But for the Complexities of Laughter
Ahh…But for the Complexities of Laughter
Communication through Humor and Laughter
By John Klevins
Communication through Humor and Laughter
By John Klevins
General InformationGeneral Information Laughter is an Exclusively Human Characteristic
* No other creature on earth shares humor and laughter
Freud said it was a discharge of psychic energy resulting from inhibited tension
Contemporary Academic Literature’s Definition: *Humor is a stimulus and a cognitive process*Humor is a construct and laughter a physical
occurrence*Typically associated with pleasant emotional states
(Martin, 2001 & Mahoney et al., 2002)
Humor & Laughter represent both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication
Impact of Humor: *Perceptions of Humor and Laughter:
Causes, Intentions, Consequences, Appropriateness and associated body movements have dramatic impact on the level of acceptability (Mahoney, et al., 2002)
Barrier to Communication*If recipient of humor feels threatened or
vulnerable or doesn’t understand the intent
General Information General Information
Physiology of Humor and Laughter
Physiology of Humor and Laughter
Bodily Functions:*Increased heart rate, circulation, blood pressure,
and pulse*Body temperature rises a half a degree*Following laughter there is a drop in blood
pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and muscle tension
*Resulting in a sense of Relaxation (Fry, 1994)
Physiology of Humor and Laughter
Benefits to the Body:
*Improved oxygenation; increased energy levels and enhanced circulation of immune
substance *Vigorous laughter stimulates and exercises the skeletal, facial and abdominal and thoracic
muscles*Released Endorphins often leads to a sense of
well- being and in some, elation*Along with the heightened sense of relaxation
comes a reduction in stress, an increase in positive emotions and the accompanying improvement to physical health (Rotton & Shats, 1996)
Other Benefits of Humor and Other Benefits of Humor and LaughterLaughter
Other Benefits of Humor and Other Benefits of Humor and LaughterLaughter
Emotional, mental, spiritual and physical benefits are often underestimated in the lives of patients, caregivers, family members
and physicians Within Healthcare humor and laughter creates a more relaxed
atmosphere which enables patients to be more receptive to learning and more willing to participate in their own care Humor as a communication device is also used as an aid by families to assist themselves with the stressors of consistent caregiving (Hulse, 1994) For the depressed, anxious or obsessive, laughter can be a great distracter, capturing a person’s short term awareness and shifting their perceptions. (Richman, 1995)
Social Benefits of Humor and Social Benefits of Humor and LaughterLaughter
Socially, humor is a strong communication strategy and a means to facilitate social interactions and promote group adherence (Lapierre & Padgett, 1991) Humor tends to unite people, acknowledges a their acceptance into a community and creates a common bond (Hulse, 1994) The ability to use humor and laughter as a communicative tool indicates a person’s degree of social maturity and mental health, demonstrating a learned capacity to cope with stressful or unfamiliar circumstances (Pasquali, 1990) Individuals with a greater sense of humor may be more socially competent and interpersonally attractive which may result in deeper and more satisfying social relationships (Martin, 2001) This person uses their sense of humor as a personality trait in a socially facilitative manner (Martin, 2001)
Empirical Study- Functional Role as a Communication Device
Empirical Study- Functional Role as a Communication Device
Herth (1993) studied an elderly community, which categorized communication and socialization “functions” of Humor and laughter Cohort aged 65-80 defined functions as relaxation, joy and restoration Cohort aged 80-101 defined functions as perspective, freedom and connectedness Quotes of survey:
*”Humor makes me feel more at home”*”Humor helps me to keep close to others and myself”*”Humor restores my fighting spirit”
(Herth, 1993, pg 151)
Marginalization of the “Soft” Emotions
Marginalization of the “Soft” Emotions
In the fields of psychology and medical science, humor, laughter and positive emotions (“soft”) share a common fate; they have been inadvertently sidelined
Negative human emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, sadness and jealousy fit empirical models more so than soft emotions
Positive emotions may not produce a reliable and consistent response each and every time they are tested or analyzed, very complicated (Fredrickson, 1998)
Marginalization of the “Soft” Emotions
Marginalization of the “Soft” Emotions
Thus, the study of positive emotions may require some re-tooling, different types of empirical models Historically Soft Emotion Based Literature has been
Theoretical, Clinical and Anecdotal There is renewed public interest for these soft emotions, leading to an increased number of recent
empirical studies
Humors Effect on Humors Effect on Communication with the Communication with the
ElderlyElderly
Humors Effect on Humors Effect on Communication with the Communication with the
ElderlyElderly Humor is vital to the successful aging process;
with age, perception becomes reality (Fry, 1986)
Lauer & Lauer & Kerr (1990) studied 100 senior couples:
*Married Couples of at least 40 years*Findings emphasized that communication
lead by humor and daily laughter were key ingredients that ensured long-term
marriage
Richman Papers (1995) illustrated the impact on Depressed and Suicidal:
*Humor and Laughter allows these patients to laugh at themselves and bring them to a point of self-acceptance and overall life-acceptance
Humors Effect on Humors Effect on Communication with the Communication with the
ElderlyElderly Eriksson & Eriksson (1986) study of Senior Storytelling
*Storytelling is the oftentimes humorous medium through which the elderly communicate knowledge, understanding and wisdom they have accumulated Social isolation and alienation become dangerous life threatening circumstances, thus a forum where the afflicted senior has the ability to tell a story where participants can help the teller to see humor can be extremely therapeutic The simple presence of communicated humor reduces isolation and creates a common bond between participants
Applications-Future DirectionsApplications-Future Directions
Need additional Substantive Empirical Studies with unquestionable methodologies, models and findings.
*Substantive studies on humor as a communication device and healer have not attained a high level of mutual agreement among the literary community
There needs to be a concentrated effort to a continued change to the status quo within the caregiving community to consistently incorporate the opportunity of communicated humor and interpersonal laughter
Applications-Future DirectionsApplications-Future Directions
Promote Humor as a healing agent in caregiving or medical assistance settings
Humor as a segment of a holistic approach to physical, mental, spiritual and emotional healing process
When you are sitting on a bus or standing in an elevator, change someone’s day or possibly life with humorous communication or a friendly smile or gesture
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