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The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

Getting serious about funny: Psychologists see humor as a character strength

  • Written by Janet M. Gibson, Professor of Cognitive Psychology, Grinnell College
imageDon't laugh at the psychological study of humor.Laughing image via www.shutterstock.com.

Humor is observed in all cultures and at all ages. But only in recent decades has experimental psychology respected it as an essential, fundamental human behavior.

Historically, psychologists framed humor negatively, suggesting it demonstrated superiority,...

Read more: Getting serious about funny: Psychologists see humor as a character strength

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