Traumatic Life Experiences and Use of Dark Humor
Faculty Mentor
One WU mentor: Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.; sleighm@winthrop.edu
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor
Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.
Abstract
We examined how prior exposure to generalized trauma relates to a preference for and use of dark humor. We hypothesized that adults who had experienced increased trauma in their lives would be more receptive to dark humor. Via an online platform, participants viewed 6 dark humor statements and indicated how funny and offensive they found each statement, as well as whether they would be comfortable repeating the statement to a friend or a family member. Participants then responded to the Humor Styles Questionnaire and the Life Events. Our hypothesis was supported. Adults who had experienced more trauma found the dark humor funnier and were more willing to share it with others. Dark humor may be used as a coping mechanism, supported by our finding that those high in trauma used humor for affiliative purposes. Alternatively, perhaps trauma desensitizes people to the darkness in such humor. In support of this possibility, African American adults, a group vulnerable to social injustice, rated the dark humor as less funny. Men seemed to use humor in more goal-oriented ways than did women; however, these two groups did not differ in their self-reported willingness to share our dark humor or how funny they found it to be. This lack of gender difference contradicts earlier research and may reflect a changing societal dynamic. Age, political orientation, religious adherence, and sexual orientation did not predict perceptions of or use of humor, suggesting some commonalities in how adults use humor.
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Course Assignment
PSYC 302 - Sleigh
Other Presentations/Performances
Southeastern Psychological Association Conference, Virtual, March 2021
Recognized with an Award?
Committee for Equality in Professional Opportunities Research Award, awarded March 2021, Southeastern Psychological Association
Start Date
1-1-2021 12:00 AM
Traumatic Life Experiences and Use of Dark Humor
We examined how prior exposure to generalized trauma relates to a preference for and use of dark humor. We hypothesized that adults who had experienced increased trauma in their lives would be more receptive to dark humor. Via an online platform, participants viewed 6 dark humor statements and indicated how funny and offensive they found each statement, as well as whether they would be comfortable repeating the statement to a friend or a family member. Participants then responded to the Humor Styles Questionnaire and the Life Events. Our hypothesis was supported. Adults who had experienced more trauma found the dark humor funnier and were more willing to share it with others. Dark humor may be used as a coping mechanism, supported by our finding that those high in trauma used humor for affiliative purposes. Alternatively, perhaps trauma desensitizes people to the darkness in such humor. In support of this possibility, African American adults, a group vulnerable to social injustice, rated the dark humor as less funny. Men seemed to use humor in more goal-oriented ways than did women; however, these two groups did not differ in their self-reported willingness to share our dark humor or how funny they found it to be. This lack of gender difference contradicts earlier research and may reflect a changing societal dynamic. Age, political orientation, religious adherence, and sexual orientation did not predict perceptions of or use of humor, suggesting some commonalities in how adults use humor.
