Individual Differences in Reactions to Sexist Humor

Abstract

This research investigated the relation between sexism, general prejudice, and reactions to sexist humor. Eighty-one male participants completed measures of modern sexism, ambivalent sexism, right-wing authoritarianism, and social dominance orientation, and rated the funniness, offensiveness, and likelihood of repeating female-disparaging and male-disparaging jokes. Results revealed that men who were higher in hostile sexism were especially likely to report that they would repeat the female-disparaging jokes, and rated these jokes as funnier than did men who were lower in hostile sexism. In addition, the relation between hostile sexism and the likelihood of repeating these jokes was mediated by their perceived funniness. These effects were not evident for the male-disparaging jokes. Results are discussed in terms of the function of sexist humor.