Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles
Bernadette McCosker, Carmen C MoranSchool of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, AustraliaBackground: In contrast with an early implicit “facilitative hypothesis” of humor, a revised specificity hypothesis predicts that the benefits of humor depend on...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2012-10-01
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| Series: | Psychology Research and Behavior Management |
| Online Access: | http://www.dovepress.com/differential-effects-of-self-esteem-and-interpersonal-competence-on-hu-a11376 |
| _version_ | 1818190784287997952 |
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| author | McCosker B Moran CC |
| author_facet | McCosker B Moran CC |
| author_sort | McCosker B |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bernadette McCosker, Carmen C MoranSchool of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, AustraliaBackground: In contrast with an early implicit “facilitative hypothesis” of humor, a revised specificity hypothesis predicts that the benefits of humor depend on the specific style of humor used. Information on predictors of these humor styles in turn enhances the ability to predict the effect on well-being.Methods: We examined the relationships between interpersonal competence, self-esteem, and different styles of humor, while also examining the contributions of age and gender. Participants (n = 201) aged 18–63 years completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire, and the Humor Styles Questionnaire, and gave demographic information.Results: High self-esteem was associated with higher use of affiliative, aggressive, and self-enhancing humor styles, but lower use of self-defeating humor. High interpersonal competence predicted greater use of affiliative humor, whereas low interpersonal competence predicted greater use of aggressive humor. Further analyses showed that initiation competence predicted affiliative humor (positively) but both initiation competence (positively) and conflict management competence (negatively) predicted aggressive humor.Conclusion: The findings that both self-esteem and initiation competence contribute to use of aggressive humor add to knowledge of who is likely to use this potentially harmful humor style. We conclude that a readiness to initiate humorous interactions is not on its own a general and positive attribute contributing to “good” humor.Keywords: self-esteem, interpersonal competence, humor styles, differential effects |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:04:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-928feb584d2d495b936f291c57e962df |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1578 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:04:13Z |
| publishDate | 2012-10-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Psychology Research and Behavior Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-928feb584d2d495b936f291c57e962df2022-12-22T00:45:09ZengDove Medical PressPsychology Research and Behavior Management1179-15782012-10-012012default143150Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor stylesMcCosker BMoran CCBernadette McCosker, Carmen C MoranSchool of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, AustraliaBackground: In contrast with an early implicit “facilitative hypothesis” of humor, a revised specificity hypothesis predicts that the benefits of humor depend on the specific style of humor used. Information on predictors of these humor styles in turn enhances the ability to predict the effect on well-being.Methods: We examined the relationships between interpersonal competence, self-esteem, and different styles of humor, while also examining the contributions of age and gender. Participants (n = 201) aged 18–63 years completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire, and the Humor Styles Questionnaire, and gave demographic information.Results: High self-esteem was associated with higher use of affiliative, aggressive, and self-enhancing humor styles, but lower use of self-defeating humor. High interpersonal competence predicted greater use of affiliative humor, whereas low interpersonal competence predicted greater use of aggressive humor. Further analyses showed that initiation competence predicted affiliative humor (positively) but both initiation competence (positively) and conflict management competence (negatively) predicted aggressive humor.Conclusion: The findings that both self-esteem and initiation competence contribute to use of aggressive humor add to knowledge of who is likely to use this potentially harmful humor style. We conclude that a readiness to initiate humorous interactions is not on its own a general and positive attribute contributing to “good” humor.Keywords: self-esteem, interpersonal competence, humor styles, differential effectshttp://www.dovepress.com/differential-effects-of-self-esteem-and-interpersonal-competence-on-hu-a11376 |
| spellingShingle | McCosker B Moran CC Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles Psychology Research and Behavior Management |
| title | Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles |
| title_full | Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles |
| title_fullStr | Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles |
| title_full_unstemmed | Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles |
| title_short | Differential effects of self-esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles |
| title_sort | differential effects of self esteem and interpersonal competence on humor styles |
| url | http://www.dovepress.com/differential-effects-of-self-esteem-and-interpersonal-competence-on-hu-a11376 |
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