Self-perception of humor: Evidence for discounting and augmentation effects.

Abstract

Self-perception theory (Bem 1972) implies that enjoyment of humorous stimuli is inferred by taking into account external factors affecting overt mirth. As a test of this logic, 60 women read 2 equally funny sets of jokes. A laugh track was played in their headphones for 1 of 2 sets of jokes. Although the laugh track had no impact on Ss' mirth, Ss were told that it would facilitate, inhibit or not affect smiling and laughter. As predicted, in a later free-time period when Ss could read the books from which the jokes came, Ss who were told the laugh track increased mirth spent most time time reading the book whose jokes had not been accompanied by laughter (a discounting effect).