A holo-cultural study of humor

Ethos • Vol/Iss. 9 • Published In 1981 • Pages: 149-164 •

By Alford, Finnegan, Alford, Richard

Abstract

This article presents a variety of findings regarding the nature and characteristics of humor and humorists, cross-culturally. It is a thorough preliminary study on the topic with a review of other work on humor and and outline of areas to be addressed by future research.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)	Researchers Own
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)	Combination

Hypotheses (7)
Hypothesis	Supported
Humor is a cultural universal (162).	Supported
The more restrictive the cultural sphere regarding the body, the less humor about body parts (162).	`UNKNOWN`
The more sexual restrictiveness, the less humor about sex (155).	`UNKNOWN`
The more complex the society, the more humor about stupidity and pretension (156).	`UNKNOWN`
The simpler the society, the wider the range of humor targets (156).	`UNKNOWN`
Simpler societies are more likely to have humor with practical jokes, much aggression, and imitation (158).	`UNKNOWN`
The more complex the society, the more there are clowns and jesters (161).	`UNKNOWN`

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings Jessie Cohen abbe.mccarter

A holo-cultural study of humor

Ethos • Vol/Iss. 9 • Published In 1981 • Pages: 149-164 • Cite

By Alford, Finnegan, Alford, Richard

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (7)

Ethos • Vol/Iss. 9 • Published In 1981 • Pages: 149-164 •