Relation between Humor and Generativity

Abstract

Since humor has been found to facilitate such generative pursuits as psychotherapy, teaching, and nursing, and been associated with intimacy, it was hypothesized that high levels of humor are associated with high levels of generativity. The Measures of Psychosocial Development (measuring generativity), Situational Humor Response Questionnaire, and Coping Humor Scale were given to 56 subjects. Those scoring high on generativity scored significantly higher on both measures of humor than those scoring low in generativity It was conjectured that humor may facilitate generativity through such mediating variables as intimacy and creativity as well as through stress reduction.