%0 PDF %T Cracking Wise to Break the Ice: The Role of Identity and Humor on Intergroup Judgments %A Borgella, Alex. %D 2017-06-29T09:04:37.223-04:00 %8 2017-07-07 %R http://localhost/files/x346dg612 %X 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 minority 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. %[ 2022-10-11 %9 Text %~ Tufts Digital Library %W Institution