Humor in Psychology

 

Humor can be an adaptive defense against distress. The person in distress may identify something amusing or ironic about the distressful experience. Joking about death and disease or other painful experiences can protect one from being overwhelmed with emotional pain and anxiety.

Humor is a Level 7 Defense Mechanism.

Research Quotes

"An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that humor can impact interpersonal relationships in organizations and employee well-being. " "The effect size of the training was medium ... suggesting that interventions to improve adaptive humor at work can be a useful resource to deal with workplace stress and foster employee well-being. " (Perez et al., 2021)

In Men and Their Religion: Honor, Hope, and Humor (2002), I proposed that men have two primary ways of being religious—the religion of honor and the religion of hope. I also proposed that because these two religions do not always have their desired outcomes, men have developed a third way of being religious, the religion of humor. In A Time To Laugh (2005) I have expanded on my claim in Men and Their Religion that if men have three religions—honor, hope, and humor—the greatest of these is humor. (Capps, 2006)

Resources

A- Z List of Defense Mechanisms with descriptions

 

Psychotic Defense Mechanisms described

 

Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales

            Form Self-Report 30

            Q-Sort Version

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.

References

Capps, D. The Psychological Benefits of Humor. Pastoral Psychol 54, 393–411 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-005-0007-9

León-Pérez, J. M., Cantero-Sánchez, F. J., Fernández-Canseco, Á., & León-Rubio, J. M. (2021). Effectiveness of a Humor-Based Training for Reducing Employees' Distress. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(21), 11177. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111177