Joking Culture: The Role of Repeated Humorous Interactions on Group Processes during Challenge Course Experiences

Abstract

When groups form, they develop their own culture from the shared meaning created from their interactions. Humor is part of every social group, and when repeatedly referenced, it forms a joking culture. The joking culture of small groups influences group processes by smoothing group interaction, forming a collective identity, separating the group from others, and securing appropriate behavior. Adventure education challenge courses include humor as part of their context; therefore, studying the joking culture of groups during challenge course experiences may provide additional insight and tools for improving group outcomes. Two ethnographic examples of continued joking from a participant observation approach are provided to demonstrate the presence of continued joking during challenge course experiences.