Tested 40 male and 40 female college students for level of relaxation and mood state following exposure to three types of humor content or a nonhumorous control. Humor appreciation was found to be effective in aiding relaxation while promoting positive affective mood state in subjects. Humor appreciation may be possible adjunct to biofeedback…

The study examined the cartoon humor comprehension of 30 learning disabled and 30 non-handicapped boys in two age groups, eight- and twelve-year-olds. Significant main effects were found indicating a developmental lag in the cognitive structure necessary for understanding humor in the learning disabled subjects. (Author/DB)

Presents a taxonomy of jokes and wit as a useful, descriptive tool. Argues that humor processing may occur in a parallel rather than serial fashion by contrasting a serial-processing, incongruity-resolution model with an alternative dual-processing model. Also presents a taxonomy of the social functions of wit. (JK)

This analysis of the U.S. Department of Labor's "Dictionary of Occupational Titles" as a literary and cultural document, looks at its (1) history; (2) job classification scheme; (3) egalitarianism; (4) cultural and literary value; and (5) humor. Five references are listed. (MES)

Examined the superiority of humor as it applied to the formal and informal status structures of six small, task-oriented groups in business and health care. In the more professional and highly trained groups in health care, high-status individuals were integral parts of the humor network and enjoyed no particular "joking monopoly."…

Uses a humorous approach to discusses the release of "What Works," the 65-page booklet about research in teaching and learning published by the U.S. Department of Education. (NKA)

Examines humorous content of today's television sitcoms in attempt to explain how we got from "Stan and Ollie to Shirley and Laverne" or from exemplary humor to the mundane social commentary of present-day situational comedy. Concludes that the sitcom depends on making comedy out of collision between social change and tradition, exploiting social…

Explored the role of social interaction and the importance of humor in the development of gifted adolescent females' beliefs about career options. Results indicated gifted girls experience a unique conflict between expectations directed at gifted students, and their status as females. The use of humor functioned as a coping device to promote…

Offers a humorous perspective on being a proponent of the whole language approach to reading instruction in the face of those who favor phonics and specific skill instruction. (SRT)

Humorously advocates the revival of "clotheiognomy", the art of discovering temperament and character from apparel.(EL)

Suggests, on a humorous note, a game-plan for assignment justification and elaboration that utilizes, in a constructive and professional manner, the best of what is known about assignment-making. (EL)

In this interview Art Buchwald, whose column of political humor now appears in 550 newspapers around the world, talks about his life and career, his sources of ideas, whether there is a place for humor in the school curriculum, and the state of American humor today. (RM)

Presents six generalizations on using humor in public speaking. (PD)

Contains a humorous dialog between a university professor and the director of a district educational center, describing some of the effects of specialization in reading. (RB)

Suggests ways of using limericks to teach creative writing. (DD)