Dark laughter: an exploration into dark tetrad traits and harmful humour styles
Publication Date
December 13, 2023
Creator
Abstract
Background:
Humour is often associated with positive psychosocial outcomes. However, it can be a subjective concept, and problems can arise if content is deemed harmful by others. In fact, literature has suggested that humour styles may sometimes be driven by a more malevolent purpose. When exploring the motivation behind more harmful styles, a starting point is to examine their association with dark tetrad (DTe) traits. These traits include psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism and sadism, and are often related to amoral and antisocial behaviour. Few studies examine ‘dark humour’, a style defined by making amusement of disturbing or sinister subjects. This style is often synonymous with coping yet can be considered harmful, and in extreme cases has led to prosecution. Dark humour is commonplace in the media and minimal research has examined how exposure may influence behaviour.
Aims:
This thesis aims to explore personality traits related to a potentially more harmful side of humour use, with a particular focus on dark humour and the effect of exposure to this on one’s behaviour. Specifically, it aims to address whether DTe traits relate to the use of more harmful styles of humour, whether DTe traits relate to the preference and use of dark humour, and whether observing dark humour content making amusement of antisocial behaviours may increase one’s short-term proclivity to engage in similar acts.
Method:
A systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the relationship between DTe traits and humour styles, as measured by the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ), including affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive and self-defeating humour styles. A critique of the HSQ was then conducted to assess its psychometric properties. A primary research project (study 1) explored the relationship between DTe traits and dark humour preference. Participants completed an online questionnaire including measures of DTe traits and core personality traits, before rating internet memes and video clips representing dark and non-dark humour. A secondary research project (study 2) explored the relationship between exposure to dark humour suggestive of sexual harassment or assault (i.e. dark sexual humour) and sexual harassment proclivity. Incorporating different aspects of the same online questionnaire used for the primary study, participants completed measures of DTe traits, core personality traits, and sexual harassment proclivity, before being randomly allocated to observe internet memes and video clips representing dark, non-dark humour or dark sexual humour. Participants rated each humour stimulus before again completing a measure of sexual harassment proclivity post-exposure.
Results:
Meta-analysis results found that psychopathy and Machiavellianism positively predict aggressive and self-defeating humour styles, and narcissism positively predicts affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive and self-defeating humour. Insufficient data was available for inclusion of sadism in the meta-analysis, but a narrative summary indicated a potential relationship with the use of injurious humour styles. Psychometric critique outcomes suggested that the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) shows relatively good reliability and validity, with some revisions suggested, particularly for the measurement of aggressive humour across different countries. The primary research project found Machiavellianism to be the only DTe trait to positively predict dark humour preference, with preference found to be indicative of use. The secondary research project found psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism, but not sadism, to positively predict sexual harassment proclivity. Sexual harassment proclivity was found to decrease following exposure to all humour genres. In those exposed to dark sexual humour, narcissism was the only DTe trait to significantly relate to reduced sexual harassment proclivity post-exposure.
Discussion and conclusion:
Overall, findings suggest that there may be a more malevolent intent behind the use of injurious styles (i.e. aggressive and self-defeating humour). Whereas it was surmised that dark humour’s sole relationship with Machiavellianism may suggest an association with the cynical characteristics unique to this construct, potentially implying less malevolent intent. This informed discussion as to how this may influence one’s response to, and potential reprimand for, the use of each humour style. The existing risk of distress to others when using dark humour was considered, in addition to its potential contribution to, or indication of, cynical attitudes. Implications for forensic settings were discussed. Findings also suggest that, although some humour styles may be considered antisocial behaviour in themselves and potentially driven by dark traits, humour in general may decrease certain proclivities for antisocial behaviour (i.e. sexual harassment proclivity), at least in the short-term. This study provides a basis for further investigation in an under-researched area, with future variations of this study, e.g. examining the potential influence of dark humour content on other antisocial behaviour or longer-term effects, recommended for an increased understanding of this area. Overall thesis limitations and future directions are discussed.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
DForenPsy
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
School of Medicine
eprints ID
74412
UoN Repository URI
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Emma Layzell - Academic thesis submission following minor amendments - 14.08.23.pdf
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Examined. Dark Laughter: an exploration into dark tetrad traits and harmful humour styles
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