Humor in Therapy: Expectations, Sense of Humor, and Perceived Effectiveness
by Blevins, Teresa L., Ph.D., AUBURN UNIVERSITY, 2010, 138 pages; 3430600

Abstract:

Research has shown that humor holds valuable power to increase psychological well-being. The present study explored: (1) the perceived effectiveness of humor as a therapeutic tool based on the social influence model; and (2) how the relationship between self-reported sense of humor and ratings of counselor attractiveness, effectiveness, and expertness is moderated by expectations of humor in counseling in a non-clinical sample. Participants completed a measure of expectations of humor in counseling, the Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale, and also completed the Counselor Rating Form-Short Form in response to two brief excerpts from therapy sessions which demonstrated humorous and non-humorous therapeutic interventions. Research questions addressed the relationships between sense of humor and ratings of counselor effectiveness (including attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertness); and the differences in these relationships at different levels of expectation of humor in counseling. Results indicate that there is a significant relationship between sense of humor and ratings of counselor effectiveness for some humorous therapeutic interactions. There also emerged significant moderating effects of expectation of humor on the relationship between sense of humor and counselor ratings for CRF-S total scores as well as for scores on expertness and trustworthiness for this vignette. Responses to open-ended questions highlighted mixed reactions to use of humor in psychotherapy, and indicated that it may be an intervention to be used with caution.

 
AdviserRandolph B. Pipes
SchoolAUBURN UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/B 71-12, p. , Nov 2010
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsCounseling psychology; Clinical psychology; Personality psychology
Publication Number3430600
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3430600
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.