Humor: An Essential Communication Tool in Therapy

This article is an exploratory analysis of the use of humor as an essential communication tool. Consistently, the authors found information that upheld humor as a positive tool to be implemented in building and enhancing communication. This article specifically looks at humor in education and therap...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of mental health 2003-10, Vol.32 (3), p.74-90
Main Author: Dziegielewski, Sophia F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children
Communication
Education
Humor
Humour
Jokes
Laughter
Learning
Medical treatment
Mental health
Psychological counseling
Psychological stress
Psychotherapy
Roles
Therapy
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Summary:This article is an exploratory analysis of the use of humor as an essential communication tool. Consistently, the authors found information that upheld humor as a positive tool to be implemented in building and enhancing communication. This article specifically looks at humor in education and therapy, and with groups or teams. In education, humor appears to be a viable way to enhance student learning and to advance the student's knowledge base. Within therapy, humor can be utilized to break a client's resistance, reduce tension, generate catharsis, and increase trust in the client/therapist relationship. Within groups and/or teams, the effects of humor can assist in increasing cohesion and goal attainment. Furthermore, humor can be beneficial in the form of laughter when aimed at the goal or task. This analysis discusses the effects of stress on increasing episodes of laughter, and finds that to discourage the use of laughter may actually reduce task group performance. Overall, in all the aforementioned areas, humor is an important component that needs further research. Suggestions are made for future research along with recommendations for how and when to best utilize humor as part of the intervention process.
ISSN:0020-7411
1557-9328
DOI:10.1080/00207411.2003.11449592