Humor

Abstract

The study of humor is an interdisciplinary one, but as humor is essentially communicative, the field of interpersonal communication is uniquely suited to explore the many facets of humor as it relates to interaction. To facilitate a review of humor, it is useful to regard it as a process, beginning with the origination of humor (individual motivation); detecting a purpose in the communication (social function); and exploring the effects of a message as it relates to the individual, the audience, and their relationship (others’ impressions and individual and relationship outcomes). In addition to close relationships research, communication scholars have investigated humor use within workplace, healthcare, and classroom settings, and continue to identify the positive and negative effects of humorous communication in everyday life.