Humor use in power-differentiated interactions

Abstract

Humor serves a variety of functions in interpersonal communication, including the release of tension and the diffusion of conflict. Based on Dyadic Power Theory (Dunbar 2004; Dunbar and Abra 2010), it is predicted that interactants of equal power will use more humor and different types of humor than those either relatively high or low in power as compared to their partners. The present study analyzed experimentally manipulated problem-solving interactions between research participants (N = 150) and confederate strangers. Participants used a mean of 8 humorous statements in interactions that lasted for a mean of 15 minutes. The results revealed that power did not influence the amount of humor used overall but those who were equal in power used more tension-releasing humor than those unequal in power. Additionally, those with equal power or high power positions were more likely to use humor to disparage the task or laugh along with their partner than those low in power. Humor use did not affect the participants' satisfaction with the interaction, but those who laughed along with their partner exerted more influence over the outcome of the problem-solving task. Although not hypothesized, some sex differences in types of humor use also emerged.Humor serves a variety of functions in interpersonal communication, including the release of tension or the diffusion of conflict but perhaps one of the most ignored uses of humor is to socially construct power differences in relationships. Humor can be used to minimize power differences, such when a lower-status

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