Health Locus of Control, Humor, and Reduction in Aggression

Abstract

Humor appreciation has been posited to provide a socially acceptable method to release hostility and experience a positive mood state. Research into this relationship has produced equivocal results. The present study examined the proposition that previous inconsistencies were based on no assessment of Health Locus of Control. Differentiated as internal and external scorers on the health scale, 144 college women experienced either an induction of arousal of aggression or a neutral nonarousing procedure. They were presented three stimulus conditions, neutral humor, aggressive humor, or nonhumorous material, and then assessed for mood state. Scores on the Health Locus of Control were significant showing effective use of humor to reduce anger. Internal scorers on the health scale registered, when angered, most enjoyment of aggressive humor. Health Locus of Control appears a significant factor in college women's capacity to use humor for mood regulation.