Laughing Matters: When Humor is Meaningful
Laughing Matters: When Humor is Meaningful
Author(s): Hershey H. Friedman, LINDA WEISER FRIEDMANSubject(s): Business Economy / Management, Sociology, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Center for Socio-Economic Studies and Multiculturalism
Keywords: Humor; Biblical humor; social justice; disparagement humor; humor and stress; African-American slaves;
Summary/Abstract: While humor can perpetuate and preserve stereotypes, it also can redress a wide variety of prejudices and preconceptions. This paper offers several examples of positive humor. Humor can serve as a teaching tool to reduce stress and make people receptive to serious subjects that range from statistical analysis to social justice. It can also tie people together, give psychological strength to victims, and enable them to rise above despair and hopelessness. It can even enhance teamwork in the workplace. Of course, the wrong kind of humor can be a negative, causing irreparable harm to people. In a nutshell, humor is not a laughing matter and should be taken seriously.
Journal: Journal of Intercultural Management and Ethics
- Issue Year: 2/2019
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 55-72
- Page Count: 18
- Language: English
