The masking effects of humor on audience perception of message organization

Abstract

AbstractCan use of humor in a disorganized speech mask audience perception of disorganization? Employing a 2 × 2 factorial design, findings reveal that use of humor can cause a disorganized speech to be evaluated as better organized than a serious disorganized speech and as comparable to a serious organized speech. By dividing attention, listeners seem likely to focus on the more attractive alternative. Also ratings of speech humorousness and audience member’s levels of sense of humor influence assessments of speech disorganization.