Blog #5 Humor by Tyler Roden

Humor- Favorite Comedian

By: Tyler Roden

In class we learned that humor is a great way to manage conflict in an office setting and in our everyday lives. Certain types of humor can be used in a positive way to manage the conflict and others “can be used in a negative fashion; for instance, more aggressive forms of teasing – such as ridicule, intimidation, or manipulation – may be used in an attempt to discredit the partner’s arguments or feelings.” (Campbell 533) I interviewed Heather Roden, the former Director of Day Surgery at Scott & White Hospital, about how she felt about using humor to diffuse conflicts when she was in her leadership position and she said “I feel that there is a time and place to use humor. I think it really just depends on the circumstances, sometimes humor can be utilized and other times humor could make it seem that you do not understand the seriousness of the situation.” (Roden) 

There are four different types of humor: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating. Affiliative and self-enhancing are the best types to use and aggressive and self-defeating are the worst to use to manage conflicts. My favorite comedian is John Mulaney, if I had to put his comedic style into one type of humor it would probably be self-defeating. Mulaney often makes himself the butt of most of his jokes. Mulaney often makes fun of his own stature and awkwardness. If he was in a position of power his humor might help him manage conflicts but if he was not in power his humor might discredit himself or his work. 

References:

Roden, Heather. Personal Interview. 10 April 2016.

Campbell, Lorne, and Sarah Moroz. "Humour Use Between Spouses and Positive and Negative Interpersonal Behaviours During Conflict." Europe’s Journal of Psychology Eur. J. Psychol.10.3 (2014): 532-42. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.