Reveals a three-way interaction between cue, perception, and response. Suggests that background cues contributed the most to this interaction and that negative and neutral responses had the largest effects. Finds that respondents were more likely to perceive humorous intent overall, and that they were more likely to respond positively when they…

Explores humor from a functional perspective. Finds three primary functions: positive affect, expressiveness, and negative affect. Finds positive relationships between positive affect humor and interpersonal competence. Supports the validity of the Uses of Humor Index. (SR)

Explores the factors affecting the outcomes experienced by distressed persons (undergraduate students) when their comfort providers use humor during comforting interactions. Explains that results indicate the skillfulness of the comforting behavior, specific qualities of humor used, and the relationship between interactants predicted behavior.…