The effects of sense of humor, defensiveness, and gender on the interpretation of ambiguous messages
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1999
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of sense of humor, defensiveness, and gender on the interpretation of ambiguous messages directed toward the self. In two studies, respondents completed questionnaires featuring written scenarios to test for perceptions of messages as humorous or critical. Sense of humor was related to the humorous interpretations of the messages, whereas defensiveness did. not have a significant effect on the defensive interpretations. In Study 1, females interpreted messages regarding mental and physical errors in a more humorous manner, and males interpreted them more defensively. In Study 2, females and males interpreted messages regarding appearance similarly, but females interpreted a message regarding weight more defensively. © 1999, Taylor and Francis Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Communication Quarterly
First Page
80
Last Page
97
Recommended Citation
Futch, A., & Edwards, R. (1999). The effects of sense of humor, defensiveness, and gender on the interpretation of ambiguous messages. Communication Quarterly, 47 (1), 80-97. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463379909370125