Essentializing Humor and Implications for Pursuing Happiness

Yi Cao, Yuanze Liu, Yubo Hou () and Li-Jun Ji ()
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Yi Cao: Peking University
Yuanze Liu: Peking University
Yubo Hou: Peking University
Li-Jun Ji: Queen’s University

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2024, vol. 25, issue 1, No 9, 16 pages

Abstract: Abstract To what extent an individual holds an essentialist belief about a sense of humor may influence their use of humor and subsequently subjective well-being. We conducted three studies with Chinese adults to examine the effect of such Belief in Essentialism about Sense of Humor (BESH) on people’s intention to use humor and subjective happiness. Study 1 (n = 333) manipulated BESH and found that high BESH reduced individuals’ likelihood of using humor, especially in negative social contexts. Study 2 (n = 240) showed that the high BESH predicted lower subjective happiness through a low intention to use humor in negative contexts. Study 3 (n = 100) used an online intervention paradigm to manipulate BESH and found that intervention in BESH enhanced the subjective happiness of participants who were coping with COVID-19. The research highlights the importance of essentialist beliefs about humor and suggests ways of improving happiness by reducing such beliefs.

Keywords: Intention to use humor; Psychological essentialism; Sense of humor; Subjective happiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00717-y

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