An introduction to the psychology of humor

Abstract

This book provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of psychologists' research on humor. Drawing on research from a variety of psychological perspectives, from cognitive and biological to social and developmental, the book explores factors that affect our detection, comprehension, liking, and use of humor. Throughout the book, theories and paradigms of humor are explored, with each chapter dedicated to a distinct field of psychological research. Covering topics including humor development in children and older adults, humor's effectiveness in advertisements, cross-cultural psychology and humor's functions in the workplace, the book addresses the challenges psychologists face in defining and studying humor despite it being a universal and often daily experience.