More than one way to be funny: What are the different humour styles?

 

 We all know what it means to be funny or be someone with a good sense of humour, but did you know there are different styles of humour?

There are a lot of skills that are needed to show off your sense of humour; you need the ability to create and remember jokes, enjoy humorous materials, and the behaviour to amuse others and laugh with others too. However, humour is not only used to amuse and entertain. It can also be used as a way to cope or a defence mechanism.

In 2003, researchers designed a questionnaire (The Humor Styles Questionnaire; HSQ) which can let you know how you use humour. There are 4 distinct types of humour, and you might find you relate to more than one of these styles in your daily life.

There 4 types include:

• Affiliative

People who use this type of humour often use it for the benefit of being funny for others, they aim to entertain those around them with jokes, banter, and laughter. It has also been known to help friendships and relationships develop. This is considered one of the positive types of humour. It has been linked to higher self-esteem and well-being.

• Self-enhancing

Another positive type of humour, self-enhancing is when you have a humorous outlook towards life as well as being able to have a laugh at yourself from time to time. It is used to enhance your own self-image, but it can also be used as a coping mechanism as those who use it tend to always find the good sides to even the most difficult situations.

• Aggressive

This type of humour can be considered negative as it has to potential to upset or anger others. People who use aggressive humour usually do it in the form of sarcasm, teasing and criticism. It can sometimes be seen as playful banter, but often there is the underlying desire to belittle or put down others.

• Self-defeating

Here is another style that is considered negative, but unlike the previous one, it is harmful to the user rather than those around them. People who use this will make themselves the butt of the joke, with the aim of others having a laugh at their expense. The aim of this is to gain approval from a social group by making about yourself.

What style of humour do you relate to?

Let me know in the comments below! 

Further Information:

http://www.humorstyles.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humor_styles

Martin, R. A., Puhlik-Doris, P., Larsen, G., Gray, J., & Weir, K. (2003). Individual Differences in uses of humor and their relation to psychological well-being: Development of the Humor Styles Questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality , 48-75.