A temperamental understanding of humor communication and exhilaratability

Abstract

This study examined humor creation from a communibiological perspective. Employing Eysenck's temperamental framework (based on the super traits of extroversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism ‐ ENP), the study found positive relationships between humor orientation, humor assessment, and sense of humor with the super‐trait extroversion. Additionally, an examination of the super‐trait of exhilaratability (cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood) determined that humor assessment, humor orientation, and sense of humor related to exhilaratability. The STCI (State‐Trait Cheerfulness Index) and the ENP index were shown to be related instruments. Overall, it was found that while an individual's sense of humor may be culturally influenced, her or his propensity to use humorous communicative messages (jokes and stories) is largely temperamentally based.

Key concepts:

• humor
• temperament
• exhilaratability
• communibiology
• communication traits