The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach (Hardcover)

by Rod A. Martin (Author)
Key Phrases: weight judgment paradigm, affiliative humor, higher funniness ratings, Willibald Ruch, Coping Humor Scale, Michael Apter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
One source for information that spans subdisciplines

Product Description
Research on humor is carried out in a number of areas in psychology, including the cognitive (What makes something funny?), developmental (when do we develop a sense of humor?), and social (how is humor used in social interactions?) Although there is enough interest in the area to have spawned several societies, the literature is dispersed in a number of primary journals, with little in the way of integration of the material into a book.

Dr. Martin is one of the best known researchers in the area, and his research goes across subdisciplines in psychology to be of wide appeal. This is a singly authored monograph that provides in one source, a summary of information researchers might wish to know about research into the psychology of humor. The material is scholarly, but the presentation of the material is suitable for people unfamiliar with the subject-making the book suitable for use for advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses on the psychology of humor-which have not had a textbook source.

2007 AATH Book Award for Humor/Laughter Research category!

*Up-to-date coverage of research on humor and laughter in every area of psychology
*Research findings are integrated into a coherent conceptual framework
*Includes recent brain imaging studies, evolutionary models, and animal research
*Draws on contributions from sociology, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology
*Provides an overview of theories of humor and early research
*Explores applications of humor in psychotherapy, education, and the workplace
*Points out interesting topics for further research and promising research methodologies
*Written in a scholarly yet easily accessible style
*2007 AATH Book Award for Humor/Laughter Research category

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (October 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 012372564X
• ISBN-13: 978-0123725646
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #297,980 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars important topic, great book, June 23, 2009

By	Dale Floody "Balanced Positive Psychology" (balancedpsych.com) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although there are probably several reasons for the shortage of psychological research concerning humor, one such reason no doubt involves the fact the past research tended to consider humor to be a one-dimensional characteristic. On the other hand, Martin argues that there are four distinct types of humor to consider: Affiliative (positive, facilitates relationships); Self-enhancing (positive, using humor to cope); Aggressive (criticize or manipulate others); and Self-defeating (self-disparaging). The distinction seems to me a distinct and significant step forward in humor research, and studies using Martin's resultant Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) are already bearing this out. I can honestly say that his book made me think about how I use humor, and as a result influenced both my teaching and my social interactions.
In addition, among a variety of related topics Martin covers the history of humor research, major theories, the development of humor, and correlates of the use of humor (physical and mental health, use in education, etc.). I was very impressed with this book (and I've obsessively read roughly one hundred books in the past year related to positive psychology), and have been recommending Martin to anyone who is interested in humor and who will listen.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhilarating academic work, August 5, 2007

By	K. Sajon - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is indispensable for those who take interest in humor research especially from a psychological perspective. In a very comprehensive way it disusses different apsects of humor and humor theories.