An examination of responses to ageist jokes

Nathan Miczo

doi:10.1515/humor-2023-0160

Article

An examination of responses to ageist jokes

Nathan Miczo is a Professor of Communication in the Department of Communication at Western Illinois University. He received his B.A. in Broadcasting from Arizona State University, and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona. His primary areas of interest in humor are humor production, humor theory, and humor in interpersonal communication. He is the author of Disparagement Humor in Social Life: Competition vs. Subjugation, as well as numerous articles and book chapters.

Published/Copyright: August 14, 2024

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From the journal HUMOR Volume 37 Issue 4

Abstract

Ageist humor is an everyday way that negative social attitudes (i.e., ageism) are circulated. Advances in the study of disparagement humor (prejudiced norm theory, the justification-suppression model) were utilized to examine responses to ageist humor in two studies. Study 1, comparing ageist and sexist comments, found no differences in perceived funniness between statements and jokes, though jokes were seen as less offensive and more confrontation-worthy. Participants believed they would be more offended by the statements than others. To the extent they found statements funny, participants believed the messages conveyed less offense to self and others, and that the statements were not worthy of confrontation, but thought others would believe they were. Older individuals found statements less funny and believed others would have negative reactions. Study 2 found no differences in funniness ratings for jokes targeting older and younger age groups. Two responses to the joke-teller emerged: challenge (including direct and indirect responses) and support (laughing or verbally expressing joke funniness). Funniness and joke-teller identification positively predicted both challenge and support, while experiencing negative emotion predicted more challenge and less support. Once again, age was associated with less funniness, as well as less identification, support, and challenge, but more negative emotion.

Keywords: ageism; disparagement humor; prejudiced norm theory; ageist jokes

Corresponding author: Nathan Miczo, Department of Communication, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455, USA, E-mail: n-miczo@wiu.edu

Nathan Miczo is Professor of Communication in the Department of Communication at Western Illinois University. I would like to thank Lisa A. Miczo for editorial assistance and feedback on an earlier draft of the manuscript. This project was supported by a Wayne N. Thompson Professorship awarded to the author.

Funding source: Western Illinois University

Award Identifier / Grant number: Wayne N. Thompson Professorship

About the author

Nathan Miczo

Nathan Miczo is a Professor of Communication in the Department of Communication at Western Illinois University. He received his B.A. in Broadcasting from Arizona State University, and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona. His primary areas of interest in humor are humor production, humor theory, and humor in interpersonal communication. He is the author of Disparagement Humor in Social Life: Competition vs. Subjugation, as well as numerous articles and book chapters.

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Received: 2023-06-17

Accepted: 2024-07-21

Published Online: 2024-08-14

Published in Print: 2024-10-28

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/humor-2023-0160

Keywords for this article

ageism; disparagement humor; prejudiced norm theory; ageist jokes