Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-1987

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology

Major Professor

Harold J. Fine

Committee Members

Howard Pollio, Michael Johnson, Harold Fine

Abstract

This dissertation examined the meaning of the experience of humor within the family. The study involved eleven participants, who were interviewed in a semi-structured format. A hemeneutic-phenomenological method was followed in which each participant's discussion was transcribed, and significant statements were noted. After careful study of all participant interviews, with particular focus on significant statements, thematic categories were determined. Two major themes emerged. One theme emphasized family humor as engagement, the playful or teasing relationships within the family. Another thematic aspect of humor involved transformation of meaning; i.e., how the event of humor itself affects the family situation. The event of humor allows family members to gain new perspectives or to find temporary release.

The findings were interpreted in termed of current theories of humor, including theories of play, superiority theory, incongruity theory, and cathartic theory. All of these theories find representative experiences in ordinary family interaction. The dissertation argued that a phenomenology of humor within the family must take account of the full range of experiences independent of theoretical commitments. Finally, the study suggested that family humor as an ordinary experience in families, may be a positive resource in therapy, an important ingredient being that the family humor is not confounded with the clinician's separate experience of humor.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS