Understanding Humor through Communication

Download Understanding Humor through Communication PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Lexington Books
ISBN 13 : 1498503179
Total Pages : 146 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (985 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Understanding Humor through Communication by : John C. Meyer

Download or read book Understanding Humor through Communication written by John C. Meyer and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2015-10-22 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding Humor through Communication explores theories of humor origin as well as humor functions in human groups and societies through communication. A model of humor decision by individuals is detailed, followed by humor’s emergence in communication. Elements of humor sources (incongruity, superiority, and relief), humor intent (comic or tragic perspectives), and humor perception (ego-involvement, script awareness, bona-fide messages, and non-bona-fide messages) are incorporated. Persuasive, organizational, and interpersonal settings involving humor are explored in depth to consider its functions. The individual choice to experience humor is detailed in its effects, as are the social implications of widespread humor desired and invoked in human society. Understanding Humor through Communication will appeal to scholars of communication, psychology, and sociology.

Understanding Language through Humor

Download Understanding Language through Humor PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 1139496948
Total Pages : 213 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (394 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Understanding Language through Humor by : Stanley Dubinsky

Download or read book Understanding Language through Humor written by Stanley Dubinsky and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2011-09-15 with total page 213 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Students often struggle to understand linguistic concepts through examples of language data provided in class or in texts. Presented with ambiguous information, students frequently respond that they do not 'get it'. The solution is to find an example of humour that relies on the targeted ambiguity. Once they laugh at the joke, they have tacitly understood the concept, and then it is only a matter of explaining why they found it funny. Utilizing cartoons and jokes illustrating linguistic concepts, this book makes it easy to understand these concepts, while keeping the reader's attention and interest. Organized like a course textbook in linguistics, it covers all the major topics in a typical linguistics survey course, including communication systems, phonetics and phonology, morphemes, words, phrases, sentences, language use, discourses, child language acquisition and language variation, while avoiding technical terminology.

Humor 101

Download Humor 101 PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Publishing Company
ISBN 13 : 0826106099
Total Pages : 266 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (261 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Humor 101 by : Mitch Earleywine, PhD

Download or read book Humor 101 written by Mitch Earleywine, PhD and published by Springer Publishing Company. This book was released on 2010-12-15 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Humor is complex, and the author, Mitch Earleywine, does an exceptional job of covering the big bases of humor from a research perspective in a small space with a readable content. When I first picked up this book and began reading it, I was looking for depth. What I found was an overview and at the same time a very exciting way to provide an entrÈe into psychology-a vehicle for students to grab hold of topics central to psychology but studiedand researched in terms of modern themes, and particularly humor." --PsycCRITIQUES "I've just finished reading Humor 101 with great interest and admiration. The book combines psychological research and practicality beautifully and humorously." -- Bob Mankoff Cartoon Editor, The New Yorker Magazine "In lucid, cheerful prose, Earleywine offers up the impossible: an explanation of humor that is as thoughtful, fascinating, and entertaining as humor itself." Elisa Albert Author of ,The Book of Dahliaand How This Night is Different "Dr. Earleywine's witty insight on this topic will make you funny, happy, and wise. Mitch has that rare ability to clearly explain something that is mysterious as it is magical: the power of laughter. Read this book and laugh while you learn." Brett Siddell Sirius/XM Satellite Radio Personality "Dr. Earleywine has written the perfect guide to understanding humor. No one else has the unique combination of witty stage time, outstanding teaching expertise, and impressive scientific background. You'll love this book." Derrick Jackson Winner, Ultimate Laff-Down What makes something funny? How does humor impact health and psychological well-being? How can you incorporate humor into everyday life? A concise, reader-friendly introduction to an important but often underappreciated topic in modern psychology, Humor 101 explains the role of comedy, jokes, and wit in the sciences and discusses why they are so important to understand. Psychology professor Dr. Mitch Earleywine draws from his personal experiences in stand-up comedy to focus on how humor can regulate emotion, reduce anxiety and defuse tense situations, expose pretensions, build personal relationships, and much more. He irreverently debunks the pseudoscience on the topic of humor and leaves readers not only funnier, but better informed. The Psych 101 Series Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field.

Cases on Applied and Therapeutic Humor

Download Cases on Applied and Therapeutic Humor PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : IGI Global
ISBN 13 : 179984529X
Total Pages : 283 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (998 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cases on Applied and Therapeutic Humor by : Cundall Jr., Michael K.

Download or read book Cases on Applied and Therapeutic Humor written by Cundall Jr., Michael K. and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2021-06-25 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent evidence indicates that humor is an important aspect of a person's health, and studies have shown that increased levels of humor help with stress, pain tolerance, and overall patient health outcomes. Still, many healthcare providers are hesitant to use humor in their practice for fear of offense or failure. Understanding more of how and why humor works as well as some of the issues related to real-world examples is essential to help practitioners be more successful in their use and understanding of humor in medical care. Through case studies and real-world applications of therapeutic humor, the field can be better understood and advanced for best practices and uses of this type of therapy. With this growing area of interest, research on humor in a patient care setting must be discussed. Cases on Applied and Therapeutic Humor focuses on humor in medical care and will discuss issues in humor research, assessment of the effectiveness of humor in medical settings, and examples of medical care in specific health settings. The chapters will explore how propriety, effectiveness, perception, and cultural variables play a role in using humor as therapy and will also provide practical case studies from medical/healthcare professionals in which they personally employed humor in medical practice. This book is ideal for medical students, therapists, researchers interested in health, humor, and medical care; healthcare professionals; humor researchers; along with practitioners, academicians, and students looking for a deeper understanding of the role humor can play as well as guidance as to the effective and meaningful use of humor in medical/healthcare settings.

Encyclopedia of Humor Studies

Download Encyclopedia of Humor Studies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : SAGE Publications
ISBN 13 : 1483364704
Total Pages : 985 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (833 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Encyclopedia of Humor Studies by : Salvatore Attardo

Download or read book Encyclopedia of Humor Studies written by Salvatore Attardo and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2014-02-25 with total page 985 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Encyclopedia of Humor: A Social History explores the concept of humor in history and modern society in the United States and internationally. This work’s scope encompasses the humor of children, adults, and even nonhuman primates throughout the ages, from crude jokes and simple slapstick to sophisticated word play and ironic parody and satire. As an academic social history, it includes the perspectives of a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, child development, social psychology, life style history, communication, and entertainment media. Readers will develop an understanding of the importance of humor as it has developed globally throughout history and appreciate its effects on child and adult development, especially in the areas of health, creativity, social development, and imagination. This two-volume set is available in both print and electronic formats. Features & Benefits: The General Editor also serves as Editor-in-Chief of HUMOR: International Journal of Humor Research for The International Society for Humor Studies. The book’s 335 articles are organized in A-to-Z fashion in two volumes (approximately 1,000 pages). This work is enhanced by an introduction by the General Editor, a Foreword, a list of the articles and contributors, and a Reader’s Guide that groups related entries thematically. A Chronology of Humor, a Resource Guide, and a detailed Index are included. Each entry concludes with References/Further Readings and cross references to related entries. The Index, Reader’s Guide themes, and cross references between and among related entries combine to provide robust search-and-browse features in the electronic version. This two-volume, A-to-Z set provides a general, non-technical resource for students and researchers in such diverse fields as communication and media studies, sociology and anthropology, social and cognitive psychology, history, literature and linguistics, and popular culture and folklore.

Bridging the Humor Barrier

Download Bridging the Humor Barrier PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN 13 : 1498592015
Total Pages : 242 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (985 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Bridging the Humor Barrier by : John Rucynski

Download or read book Bridging the Humor Barrier written by John Rucynski and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2020-02-18 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The language barrier is a familiar term, but what exactly is the humor barrier? Humor is a universal phenomenon, but the cultural variance in how humor is used can prove to be a major obstacle for English language learners hoping to communicate effectively in cross-cultural contexts. While a growing number of researchers have explored the importance of helping language learners better understand the humor of the target culture, in Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching, editors John Rucynski Jr. and Caleb Prichard bring together language teachers and researchers from a range of cultural and teaching contexts to tackle how to actually overcome the humor barrier. This book empirically examines humor competency training and presents related research bearing implications for humor training. Contributors address a wide range of genres of humor, providing fresh insights into helping language learners deepen their understanding and appreciation of the humor of the English-speaking world, including jokes, sarcasm, and satire. This book is an excellent resource for English language teachers looking to help their learners avoid the pitfalls and reap the benefits of humor in the target language.

Humor Works

Download Humor Works PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Human Resource Development
ISBN 13 : 9780874254006
Total Pages : 284 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (54 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Humor Works by : John Morreall

Download or read book Humor Works written by John Morreall and published by Human Resource Development. This book was released on 1997 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explores the connections between humor and creativity, teamwork, risk-taking, and effective communication.

The Psychology of Humor at Work

Download The Psychology of Humor at Work PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Psychology Press
ISBN 13 : 1317370775
Total Pages : 190 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (173 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Psychology of Humor at Work by : Christopher Robert

Download or read book The Psychology of Humor at Work written by Christopher Robert and published by Psychology Press. This book was released on 2016-12-19 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first book to look at the psychological processes that enable humor to affect people and teams in the workplace. It recognizes that humor plays many roles beyond making people feel happier and more productive, and acknowledges humor’s potential darker side as well. Bringing together a small but growing field of study, the book features chapters around core psychological topics such perception, creativity and stress, while also addressing organizational issues such as leadership, teamwork, and social networks. The collection concludes with chapters on the role of humor in recruitment processes, as well as how humor consultants work with organizations. Each chapter in The Psychology of Humor at Work not only provides a comprehensive review of what is known in that area, but also considers future directions for research and practice. It will prove fascinating reading for students, practitioners and researchers in organizational psychology, HRM, and business and management.

The Psychology of Humor

Download The Psychology of Humor PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128135093
Total Pages : 550 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (281 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Psychology of Humor by : Rod A. Martin

Download or read book The Psychology of Humor written by Rod A. Martin and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2018-07-14 with total page 550 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most of us laugh at something funny multiple times during a typical day. Humor serves multiple purposes, and although there is a sizable and expanding research literature on the subject, the research is spread in a variety of disciplines. The Psychology of Humor, 2e reviews the literature, integrating research from across subdisciplines in psychology, as well as related fields such as anthropology, biology, computer science, linguistics, sociology, and more. This book begins by defining humor and presenting theories of humor. Later chapters cover cognitive processes involved in humor and the effects of humor on cognition. Individual differences in personality and humor are identified as well as the physiology of humor, the social functions of humor, and how humor develops and changes over the lifespan. This book concludes noting the association of humor with physical and mental health, and outlines applications of humor use in psychotherapy, education, and the workplace. In addition to being fully updated with recent research, the second edition includes a variety of new materials. More graphs, tables, and figures now illustrate concepts, processes, and theories. It provides new brief interviews with prominent humor scholars via text boxes. The end of each chapter now includes a list of key concepts, critical thinking questions, and a list of resources for further reading. - Covers research on humor and laughter in every area of psychology - Integrates research findings into a coherent conceptual framework - Includes brain imaging studies, evolutionary models, and animal research - Integrates related information from sociology, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology - Explores applications of humor in psychotherapy, education, and the workplace - Provides new research, plus key concepts and chapter summaries

An Anatomy of Humor

Download An Anatomy of Humor PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1351531972
Total Pages : 211 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (515 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis An Anatomy of Humor by : Arthur Asa Berger

Download or read book An Anatomy of Humor written by Arthur Asa Berger and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-07-05 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Humor permeates every aspect of society and has done so for thousands of years. People experience it daily through television, newspapers, literature, and contact with others. Rarely do social researchers analyze humor or try to determine what makes it such a dominating force in our lives. The types of jokes a person enjoys contribute significantly to the definition of that person as well as to the character of a given society. Arthur Asa Berger explores these and other related topics in An Anatomy of Humor. He shows how humor can range from the simple pun to complex plots in Elizabethan plays.Berger examines a number of topics ethnicity, race, gender, politics each with its own comic dimension. Laughter is beneficial to both our physical and mental health, according to Berger. He discerns a multiplicity of ironies that are intrinsic to the analysis of humor. He discovers as much complexity and ambiguity in a cartoon, such as Mickey Mouse, as he finds in an important piece of literature, such as Huckleberry Finn. An Anatomy of Humor is an intriguing and enjoyable read for people interested in humor and the impact of popular and mass culture on society. It will also be of interest to professionals in communication and psychologists concerned with the creative process.

Humor, Seriously

Download Humor, Seriously PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Crown Currency
ISBN 13 : 0593135296
Total Pages : 274 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (931 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Humor, Seriously by : Jennifer Aaker

Download or read book Humor, Seriously written by Jennifer Aaker and published by Crown Currency. This book was released on 2021-02-02 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WALL STREET JOURNAL, LOS ANGELES TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Anyone—even you!—can learn how to harness the power of humor in business (and life), based on the popular class at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Don’t miss the authors’ TED Talk, “Why great leaders take humor seriously,” online now. “The ultimate guide to using the magical power of funny as a tool for leadership and a force for good.”—Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive We are living through a period of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval in both our personal and professional lives. So it should come as a surprise to exactly no one that trust, human connection, and mental well-being are all on the decline. This may seem like no laughing matter. Yet, the research shows that humor and laughter are among the most valuable tools we have at our disposal for strengthening bonds and relationships, diffusing stress and tension, boosting resilience, and performing when the stakes are high. That’s why Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach the popular course Humor: Serious Business at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where they help some of the world’s most hard-driving, blazer-wearing business minds infuse more humor and levity into their work and lives. In Humor, Seriously, they draw on findings by behavioral scientists, world-class comedians, and inspiring business leaders to reveal how humor works and—more important—how you can use more of it, better. Aaker and Bagdonas unpack the theory and application of humor: what makes something funny, how to mine your life for material, and simple ways to identify and leverage your unique humor style. They show how to use humor to rebuild vital connections; appear more confident, competent, and authentic at work; and foster cultures where levity and creativity can thrive. President Dwight David Eisenhower once said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.” If Dwight David Eisenhower, the second least naturally funny president (after Franklin Pierce), thought humor was necessary to win wars, build highways, and warn against the military-industrial complex, then you might consider learning it too.

Semantic Mechanisms of Humor

Download Semantic Mechanisms of Humor PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9400964722
Total Pages : 302 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (9 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Semantic Mechanisms of Humor by : V. Raskin

Download or read book Semantic Mechanisms of Humor written by V. Raskin and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: GOAL This is the funniest book I have ever written - and the ambiguity here is deliberate. Much of this book is about deliberate ambiguity, described as unambiguously as possible, so the previous sentence is probably the fIrst, last, and only deliberately ambiguous sentence in the book. Deliberate ambiguity will be shown to underlie much, if not all, of verbal humor. Some of its forms are simple enough to be perceived as deliberately ambiguous on the surface; in others, the ambiguity results from a deep semantic analysis. Deep semantic analysis is the core of this approach to humor. The book is the fIrst ever application of modem linguistic theory to the study of humor and it puts forward a formal semantic theory of verbal humor. The goal of the theory is to formulate the necessary and sufficient conditions, in purely semantic terms, for a text to be funny. In other words, if a formal semantic analysis of a text yields a certain set of semantic proptrties which the text possesses, then the text is recognized as a joke. As any modem linguistic theory, this semantic theory of humor attempts to match a natural intuitive ability which the native speaker has, in this particular case, the ability to perceive a text as funny, i. e. , to distinguish a joke from a non-joke.

Using Humor to Maximize Living

Download Using Humor to Maximize Living PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : R&L Education
ISBN 13 : 1610484878
Total Pages : 261 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (14 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Using Humor to Maximize Living by : Mary Kay Morrison

Download or read book Using Humor to Maximize Living written by Mary Kay Morrison and published by R&L Education. This book was released on 2012 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Using Humor to Maximize Living affirms, sustains, and encourages people in the practice of humor, not only as a personal tool to optimize a healthy life style, but also to maximize the benefits of humor in everyday life. Check out the research that includes a review on the use...

Do You Talk Funny?

Download Do You Talk Funny? PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : BenBella Books, Inc.
ISBN 13 : 1942952287
Total Pages : 204 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (429 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Do You Talk Funny? by : David Nihill

Download or read book Do You Talk Funny? written by David Nihill and published by BenBella Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2016-03-08 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Public speaking can be terrifying. For David Nihill, the idea of standing in front of an audience was scarier than cliff jumping into a thorny pit of spiders and mothers-in-law. Without a parachute or advanced weaponry. Something had to change. In what doesn't sound like the best plan ever, David decided to overcome his fears by pretending to be an accomplished comedian called "Irish Dave" for one full year, crashing as many comedy clubs, festivals, and shows as possible. One part of the plan was at least logical: he was already Irish and already called Dave. In one year, David went from being deathly afraid of public speaking to hosting a business conference, regularly performing stand-up comedy and winning storytelling competitions in front of packed houses. And he did it by learning from some of the best public speakers in the world: stand-up comedians. Do You Talk Funny?: 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker shows how the key principles of stand-up comedy can be applied to your speaking engagements and presentations to make you funnier, more interesting, and better looking. (Or at least two of the three.) Whether you are preparing for a business presentation, giving a wedding toast, defending your thesis, raising money from investors, or simply want to take on something you're afraid of, this book will take you from sweaty to stage-ready. You'll learn how to: - Craft a story and content that your audience will want to listen to - Find the funniest parts of your material and how to get to them faster - Deal with stage fright - Master the two most important parts of your performance: timing and delivery Ten percent of the author's proceeds from this book will go to Arash Bayatmakou via Help Hope Live until he is fully back on his feet and thereafter to one of the many facing the same challenges after suffering a severe spinal cord injury.

Political Humor in a Changing Media Landscape

Download Political Humor in a Changing Media Landscape PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN 13 : 1498565093
Total Pages : 353 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (985 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Political Humor in a Changing Media Landscape by : Jody C Baumgartner

Download or read book Political Humor in a Changing Media Landscape written by Jody C Baumgartner and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2020-07-07 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the past decade various studies have examined how political humor may influence various political attitudes and voting behavior; whether it affects learning, cognition and media literacy, how it might shape political participation; how people process different forms of political humor; and more. This book is devoted to anticipating and addressing where the field of political humor and its effects will move in the next generation of scholarship, exploring the continued evolution of the study of political humor as well as the normative implications of these developments. It includes research accounting for important changes and developments "on the ground" in the political humor landscape. These include the fact that the cadre of late-night television hosts have completely changed in the past 3 years; there are now more late night television choices; and many hosts have become more overtly political in their presentations. Recommended for scholars of communication, media studies, and political science.

The No Asshole Rule

Download The No Asshole Rule PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Business Plus
ISBN 13 : 0759518017
Total Pages : 166 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (595 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The No Asshole Rule by : Robert I. Sutton

Download or read book The No Asshole Rule written by Robert I. Sutton and published by Business Plus. This book was released on 2007-02-22 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The definitive guide to working with -- and surviving -- bullies, creeps, jerks, tyrants, tormentors, despots, backstabbers, egomaniacs, and all the other assholes who do their best to destroy you at work. "What an asshole!" How many times have you said that about someone at work? You're not alone! In this groundbreaking book, Stanford University professor Robert I. Sutton builds on his acclaimed Harvard Business Review article to show you the best ways to deal with assholes...and why they can be so destructive to your company. Practical, compassionate, and in places downright funny, this guide offers: Strategies on how to pinpoint and eliminate negative influences for good Illuminating case histories from major organizations A self-diagnostic test and a program to identify and keep your own "inner jerk" from coming out The No Asshole Rule is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Business Week bestseller.

Humor and Laughter

Download Humor and Laughter PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1351514210
Total Pages : 348 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (515 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Humor and Laughter by : Hugh Foot

Download or read book Humor and Laughter written by Hugh Foot and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-07-05 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Humor and laughter play a vital part in our everyday social encounters. This book is concerned with the exploration of the psychology of humor and laughter by the foremost professional researchers in these areas. It examines the major theoretical perspectives underlying current approaches and it draws together for the first time the main empirical work done over the course of this century. Peter Berks brings this story up to the moment.The two major parts of the book deal with perception of and responses to humor, and its uses in society at large. The chapters themselves range from cognitive aspects of humor development, through the functions of humor and laughter in social interaction, to the use of humor by comedians and by the mass media. One of the general features of the volume is the concern with the variety of techniques and research methods which are used in studies aimed at understanding our responsiveness to humor and the contexts in which we create it.Humor and Laughter contains chapters by psychologists with longstanding research interests in humor and laughter, including Thomas R. Shultz, Mary K. Rothbart, Goran Nerhardt, Michael Godkewitsch, Walter E. O'Connell, and Harvey Mindess. Humor and Laughter presents wide-ranging theoretical, methodological, and empirical perspectives on an important area of human behavior and social interaction. This book should interest many behavioral scientists and practitioners, particularly those in social and clinical psychology, psychiatry, child psychology and education, sociology, and related disciplines.