The function of humor in relation to affects: A longitudinal case study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to try to understand humor's function, viewed from a developmental and affect-theoretical perspective, with special emphasis on the shame affect. The methodological approach has entailed a case study, the case of Beatus, which has been a longitudinal attempt based on qualitative interview data collected over a period of 17 years. The findings showed how awareness of humor in relation to the affects' function (appropriateness in time and space) and importance (clarity at the signal level) increased as Beatus grew older. The metaphor "door-opener" is emphasized for humor's function in relation to all affects, whereas the metaphor "moderator" refers to humor's role in balancing the shame affect against the positive affects. The "pendulation function" is stressed. In the theoretical discussion, the term "humor-attunement" is coined. This represents a process-related concept, defined as the capacity to share inner affective states, integrated with a cognitive perception and understanding of humor's content and form, appropriately timed to the social context. The discussion also advances a line of thought wherein the driving force or motivation is the affect and humor is the consequence, which guides attention in a particular direction. © 2006 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.