Humorous Responses to Interpersonal Complaints: Effects of Humor Style and Nonverbal Expression

ABSTRACT

Based on disposition theory (Zillmann & Cantor, 1996), this study assessed reactions to vignettes in which individuals humorously respond to complaints from their partners. Vignettes varied based upon the sex and affective expression (positive/negative) of the speaker, and style of humor used (affiliative, aggressive, self-enhancing, self-defeating). Although males were rated as funnier than females, speakers were generally rated as more funny and likeable, and evoked less counterarguing, when they had positive facial expressions even when using negative humor styles. Aggressive humor garnered the highest evaluations of funniness, likeability, and credibility, but also the most counterarguing.

Keywords:

• humor
• complaints
• nonverbal communication
• interpersonal relations

Notes

1. Following the definitions provided by Guerrero, Andersen, and Trost (1998), we use the term “affect” when referring to a general valence (positive or negative) of an emotional state and the term “emotion” when referring to specific states such as happiness or sadness.