Affinity for political humor: An assessment of internal factor structure, reliability, and validity

R. Lance Holbert; Jayeon Lee; Sarah Esralew; Whitney O. Walther; Jay D. Hmielowski; Kristen D. Landreville

doi:10.1515/humor-2013-0034

Article

Affinity for political humor: An assessment of internal factor structure, reliability, and validity

R. Lance Holbert
R. Lance Holbert (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000), Associate Professor, School of Communication, The Ohio State University.
, Jayeon Lee
Jayeon Lee (MA, University of Texas-Austin, 2008) is graduate students in the same unit.
, Sarah Esralew
Sarah Esralew (BA, University of Delaware, 2010) is graduate students in the same unit.
, Whitney O. Walther
Whitney O. Walther (MA, The Ohio State University, 2011), doctoral student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Minnesota.
, Jay D. Hmielowski
Jay D. Hmielowski (PhD, The Ohio State University, 2011), Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, University of Arizona.
and Kristen D. Landreville
Kristen D. Landreville (PhD, The Ohio State University, 2010), Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Wyoming.

Published/Copyright: October 19, 2013

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From the journal Humor Volume 26 Issue 4

Abstract

An 11-item Affinity for Political Humor (AFPH) scale is theorized as a higher-order latent factor with four lower-order latent factors (incongruity, superiority, anxiety reduction, and social connection). The theorized measurement model and several alternative models are tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In addition, reliability and validity assessments are provided. Analyses are conducted using four data sets collected between December 2009 and March 2011 (total N = 1860). Results reveal the theorized model to fit the data well, but also indicate that an alternative model (four lower-order latent variables only) retains the strongest and most consistent fit across all four data sets. Reliability assessments reveal strong internal consistency for the 11-item AFPH scale, as well as for each of the four sub-dimensions. In addition, correlational analyses reveal the AFPH measures to retain strong validity (i.e., statistically significant and positive correlations with political TV satire consumption).

Keywords: political humor; measurement; incongruity; superiority; anxiety; satirical television

About the authors

R. Lance Holbert

R. Lance Holbert (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000), Associate Professor, School of Communication, The Ohio State University.

Jayeon Lee

Jayeon Lee (MA, University of Texas-Austin, 2008) is graduate students in the same unit.

Sarah Esralew

Sarah Esralew (BA, University of Delaware, 2010) is graduate students in the same unit.

Whitney O. Walther

Whitney O. Walther (MA, The Ohio State University, 2011), doctoral student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Minnesota.

Jay D. Hmielowski

Jay D. Hmielowski (PhD, The Ohio State University, 2011), Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, University of Arizona.

Kristen D. Landreville

Kristen D. Landreville (PhD, The Ohio State University, 2010), Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Wyoming.

Published Online: 2013-10-19

Published in Print: 2013-10-25

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/humor-2013-0034

Keywords for this article

political humor; measurement; incongruity; superiority; anxiety; satirical television