Humor from the Perspective of Positive Psychology. Implications for Research on Development in Adulthood

Abstract

The purpose of the article is the presentation of the ways that humor was understood within the current of positive psychology; the state and advances of research on the signifcance of this property in achieving and safeguarding a “good life” as well as the legitimacy and possibility of applying the theoretical and research approach devised by the mentioned orientation approaches to issues connected with humor to the feld of developmental psychology during the life course. A conceptualisation of humor was presented as a character strength comprising the virtue of transcendence in the approach of Peterson and Seligman, a composite of wisdom in the concept of Webster and of a thinking style, experiencing and action in the theory of Martin. A review of research was then undertaken: humor as a virtue imbuing property; humor correlates understood from the perspective of positive psychology; manifestations of its regulative role and individual differences in humor as a resource contributing to individual growth. In the closing paragraphs a suggestion was formulated regarding humor research as a resource that supports positive development, namely, the fulflment of developmental tasks, overcoming developmental crises and coping with problems connected with ageing. © 2011, Versita. All rights reserved.