Cracking Wise to Break the Ice: The Role of Identity and Humor on Intergroup Judgments
Borgella, Alex.
2017
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Abstract: Ironically, anecdotal and psychological evidence suggests that humor
which deprecates social groups has the potential to improve some intergroup perceptions.
Three experiments explored the impact of humor on perceptions of joke tellers and the
social group targeted by the jokes. In Experiment 1, the effects of deprecating humor were
compared to other types of humor when used by a ... read moreminority group target, a replication of
Focella (2013). In Experiment 2, the effects of deprecating humor were compared when used
by minority and majority group targets. Experiment 3 explored a potential factor affecting
the perception of majority group members using deprecating humor - having a romantic
partner of the same stigmatized social group as deprecated in the humorous material.
Results demonstrated that, while minority group members may reap social benefits from using
deprecating humor (e.g., increased perceptions of humor, increased liking), these benefits
are not seen when majority group members use deprecating humor (E2), even when associated
with the stigmatized group through a romantic partner (E3). Further, deprecating humor was
demonstrated to increase discrimination against the targeted group (Es 1 & 2) and
perceptions of prejudiced social norms regardless of the characteristics of the individual
using it (E2). The present findings add to our understanding of the social functions of
group deprecating humor by examining some conditions underlying when it may or may not be
beneficial for perceptions joke tellers and stigmatized groups while suggesting promising
avenues for future investigations.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2017.
Submitted to the Dept. of Psychology.
Advisor: Keith Maddox.
Committee: Samuel Sommers, Jessica Remedios, and Jeffrey Stone.
Keyword: Social psychology.read less - ID:
- x346dg612
- Component ID:
- tufts:22379
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
