Humor at Work in Teams, Leadership, Negotiations, Learning and Health (eBook)

Acknowledgements 7
Contents 8
1 Introduction 12
Abstract 12
1.1 Why Humor in Work and Organizational Psychology 12
1.2 What to Expect from the Book 15
1.3 What the Chapters Will Provide 16
References 17
2 Definitions, Theories, and Measurement of Humor 19
Abstract 19
2.1 Introduction 19
2.2 Definitions of Humor 20
2.3 Theories of Humor 22
2.3.1 Incongruity Theory 23
2.3.2 Superiority Theory 24
2.3.3 Arousal Theories 25
2.3.4 Additional Theoretical Approaches 26
2.4 Specific Concepts of Humor 27
2.5 Functions of Humor 30
2.5.1 Intrapersonal Functions 30
2.5.2 Interpersonal Functions 31
2.5.3 Specific Functions at Work 31
2.6 Measuring Humor 32
2.7 Conclusion 34
References 35
3 Humor in Teams: Interpersonal Functions of Humor 40
Abstract 40
3.1 Introduction 40
3.2 A Positive Look on Humor in Teams 41
3.3 A Look at the Dark Side of Humor in Teams 42
3.4 A Look at Relevant Processes 43
3.5 A Look at the Past: Evolution of Laughter and Humor 45
3.6 A Look at the Present: Research Inspired by Evolutionary Thinking 47
3.7 A Look at the Details: Micro-level Research About Humor in Teams 49
3.8 A Note of Caution 50
3.9 Future Research 51
3.10 Recommendations for Practice 52
References 52
4 Humor in Leadership: How to Lead People with Humor 56
Abstract 56
4.1 Introduction 56
4.2 Functions of Humor Use by Leaders 57
4.3 Perception of Humorous Leaders 59
4.4 The Complexity of Effects 60
4.5 The Relationship Between Leader and Subordinate 62
4.6 Subordinate Reactions to Leader Humor 64
4.7 Leader Humor and Gender 65
4.8 Future Research 67
4.9 Recommendations for Practice 68
References 69
5 Humor in Negotiations: How to Persuade Others with Humor 73
Abstract 73
5.1 Introduction 73
5.2 General Functions of Humor in Negotiations 74
5.3 Specific Functions of Humor in Negotiations 75
5.4 Verbal Signs for Humor in Negotiations 76
5.5 Timing of Humor and Laughter in Negotiations 77
5.6 Humor and Negotiation Outcomes 77
5.7 Humor Producers in Negotiations 79
5.8 Characteristics of Online Negotiations 80
5.9 A Brief Note of Caution 82
5.10 Future Research 82
5.11 Recommendations for Practice 83
References 83
6 Humor and Learning in the Workplace 86
Abstract 86
6.1 Introduction 86
6.2 Content and Frequency of Humor in Instruction 87
6.3 Theories About Humor in Instruction 88
6.4 The Consequences of Humor in Instruction 89
6.4.1 Cognitive Effects of Humor on Learning 89
6.4.2 Social Effects of Humor 92
6.4.3 Motivational and Affective Effects of Humor 93
6.5 Mode of Presentation 94
6.5.1 Humor in Textbooks and Tests 94
6.5.2 Online Instruction 95
6.6 Humor in Learning/Instruction in Work Contexts 96
6.7 Conclusions 96
6.7.1 Future Research 97
6.7.2 Recommendations for Practice 97
References 98
7 Humor in Health: How to Stay Healthy and Happy with Humor 102
Abstract 102
7.1 Introduction 102
7.2 Humor and Mental Health 103
7.2.1 Humor and Well-Being, Anxiety, and Depression 104
7.2.2 Humor and Work-Related Outcomes 107
7.3 Humor and the Stress-Buffering Hypothesis 110
7.3.1 Stress-Buffering Through Affect and Coping 110
7.3.2 The Stress-Buffering Hypothesis at Work 112
7.3.3 Stress-Buffering of Humor by Promoting Mediators of Mental Health 114
7.4 Humor and Social Facilitation 115
7.4.1 Social Facilitation by Social Support Through Humor 115
7.4.2 Humor, Social Competence, and Social Support 116
7.4.3 Empirical Evidence for Humor and Social Facilitation in the Work Context 117
7.5 Humor and Physical Health 117
7.6 Conclusion: Humor and (Mental) Health at Work 120
7.6.1 Future Research 120
7.6.2 Practical Implications 121
References 122
8 Two Emerging Topics for Humor Research and Practice: Diversity and Virtuality 128
Abstract 128
8.1 Diverse Humor 128
8.1.1 Cultural Diversity 129
8.1.2 Gender Diversity 131
8.1.3 Age Diversity 133
8.1.4 Future Research 134
8.1.5 Recommendations 134
8.2 Humor in Computer-Mediated Communication 135
8.2.1 Important Definitions 135
8.2.2 Virtual Teamwork 136
8.2.3 Relevant Research Findings 136
8.2.4 Future Research 137
8.2.5 Recommendations 138
References 138
9 Erratum to: Humor at Work in Teams, Leadership, Negotiations, Learning and Health 142
Erratum to:& #6
Appendix 143