The humor response has long been considered mysterious, and it is given relatively little attention in modern experimental psychology, in spite of the fact that numerous studies suggest that it has substantial benefits for mood and health. Existing theories of humor fail to account for some of the most basic humor phenomena. On most occasions when…

The Comanchee Wasp-eater clan was so named, because a group of men had observed them eating honey, but seeing only the bees, had assumed the Comanchees to be eating bees or wasps. (JC)

Humorous recounting of criticism of the schools through the ages. (IRT)

An investigation of the role of joking and teasing in the development of friendship and professional respect between white and black teachers in a newly integrated Southern school district. (EH)

The reliability of a taxonomy of humor was tested in two studies. The first study involved rater identification of nine categories for humorous incidents excerpted from television comedy programs (wordplay, exaggeration/understatement, contrast, audience knowledge, aggression, emotion, taboo, pratfall/slapstick, and repetition). The second study,…

Two experiments were conducted examining the mood altering effects of humor and the moderating effect of laughter on both humor appreciation and mood. The mood of the subjects in the first experiment was manipulated to make them feel slightly elated or slightly depressed. They then listened to either comedy routines or an interview. The comedy…

A humorous account is given of a typical day at the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC), which provides information services to educators in 23 California Counties and parts of seven other states. (JPF)

Presented is a humorous account of Burt Benfang, an art education major and artist steeped in the twentieth century tradition of unfettered self-expression, art materials potpourri ad infinitum, nonspecific creativity, minimal art, maximal art, conceptual art, and right-brain inflation via inverted images. (RM)

Citing the rising frequency of automobile recalls as proof of the decline of the automobile industry, this article humorously proposes six suggestions for reforming the industry. The suggestions are remarkably similar to recent proposals for the reform of schooling. (PGD)

In a somewhat "tongue-in-cheek" style, 10 rules are outlined to serve as a guide for college professors to follow to become successful academic "princes." The rules are based on Machiavelli's "The Prince." (MD)

Presents a humorous comparison of athletic and counselor signals, noting unique aspects of counseling that make it more than a sport. The signals are classified as training signals and physical signals and can be a source of common ground in the counseling relationship. (JAC)

Introduces a method called the Humorous Imagery Situation Technique to systematically utilize humor when counseling college students and other persons with adjustment difficulties. Demonstrates the usefulness of the HIST with a case study. (LLL)

Examples of the descriptive language used in state legislatures. (Author/MLF)

Educators often take themselves a bit too seriously. To remedy the situation, the author, who is a veteran educator and illustrator, offers a little perspective with this collection of lighthearted cartoons. These cartoons can be used as overheads for staff development meetings, for an individual break in a busy day, and perhaps, even for a…

The author advocates the use of "nonsense" in class as a form of wit and expression, and also, since it is a classic human mode of expressing disguised aggression against people or social institutions, as a way to enable children to experience aggression vicariously. (JA)