Some are Laughing; Some are Not—Why?

Three studies explored the relative importance of various manipulations of the social environment on appreciation of humor in college males. The experimental situations included hostility-arousal, individual versus group administration, and a laughing versus non-laughing confederate (CE). Overt laughter was more responsive to manipulation than was rating of jokes; however, both responses were clearly influenced. Group administration and laughter by the CE resulted in social facilitation of responsiveness to humor, while hostility-arousal and CE's embarrassment at sex jokes markedly decreased Ss' assessed behavior.