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Affiliative Humor Style Scale

Do you use comedy to bring people together? Discover if you have an 'affiliative humor style' and how to wield the power of shared laughter.

Mark Travers, Ph.D.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D.

January 8, 2024

Mark Travers, Ph.D., is the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, responsible for new client intake and placement. Mark received his B.A. in psychology, magna cum laude, from Cornell University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder. His academic research has been published in leading psychology journals and has been featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker, among other popular publications. He is a regular contributor for Forbes and Psychology Today, where he writes about psycho-educational topics such as happiness, relationships, personality, and life meaning. Click here to schedule an initial consultation with Mark or another member of the Awake Therapy team. Or, you can drop him a note here.

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In our search for laughter, affiliative humor can be a pillar that supports connections and strengthens social bonds. This humor style revolves around the joy of shared laughter, using jokes, funny stories and good-natured pranks to bring people together.

Affiliative humor is the social glue that transforms gatherings into joyous occasions, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. It reflects the delightful notion that laughter is not only an individual experience, but a communal celebration that transcends individual boundaries.

Identifying your affiliative humor style isn't just about being the resident jokester; it's about recognizing the power of laughter to enhance relationships and build bridges. By understanding and embracing affiliative humor, individuals can navigate social scenarios with a lighthearted touch, creating an environment where shared laughter becomes the cornerstone of positive interactions. Unearthing affiliative humor in oneself is a key to fostering a welcoming and inclusive social atmosphere, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

The Humor Style Questionnaire is a delightful compass that guides you through the realm of affiliative humor, as well as its three dimensions: self-enhancing, aggressive and self-defeating humor. This questionnaire categorizes our senses of humor while unveiling the magic behind our comedic inclinations. By taking this questionnaire, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their affiliative humor with insights into the unique blend of humor styles that shape their interactions.

References: Martin, R. A., Puhlik-Doris, P., Larsen, G., Gray, J., & Weir, K. (2003). Individual differences in uses of humor and their relation to psychological well-being: Development of the Humor Styles Questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality, (2003)37. 48-75. doi:S0092-6566(02)00534-2

Step 1: Rate the following statements based on how much you agree with them on a scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree.

1. I usually laugh or joke around a lot with other people.

2. I don’t have to work very hard at making other people laugh–I seem to be a naturally humorous person.

3. I often make other people laugh by telling funny stories about myself.

4. I laugh and joke a lot with my closest friends.

5. I usually like to tell jokes or amuse people.

6. I enjoy making people laugh.

0 of 0 questions answered

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores with people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.