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Targeting and the Humorous Episode in Group Process

George Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Howard R. Pollio

Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37916.

The present experiment concerned an evaluation of the number, nature, and pattern of targeted and nontargeted humorous remarks produced by individuals in six different group settings. Results indicated that humorous targeting occurred in about two-thirds of the cases except for short-term problem-solving groups where only 36%l'o of humorous remarks were directed. For all six groups, however, the ratio of appreciative to deprecating targeted remarks was about 2:1 or 3:1. Humorous remarks often occurred in episodes of from two to five remarks, with enduring groups producing more and longer episodes. Single item and more extended episodes contained a greater number of appreciative and neutral remarks while episodes of intermediate length contained more deprecating remarks. For groups in which cross-person targeting was evaluated, there was a reasonably strong correlation between targeting and being targeted by others. Present results were interpreted to suggest that the meaning and function of a humorous event can best be understood from the point of view of the group and not from some external, objective point of view. When this is done, even deprecating remarks can be seen as providing a condition of group support for such remarks allow an acceptable expression of personal and group discomfort even as they single out and specially note individual group members. In addition, such remarks strengthen intragroup bonding by bringing about the communal response of group laughter.

Human Relations, Vol. 33, No. 11, 831-852 (1980)
DOI: 10.1177/001872678003301105


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