The role of humour production and humour receptivity in perceived romantic interest. Issue 3 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tornquist, Michelle; Chiappe, Dan
• Is Part Of: Psychology and sexuality. Volume 11:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 224
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: humour production -- humour receptivity -- physical attractiveness -- romantic interest; Sex (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Sex (Psychology); Periodicals; 155.305
• DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2019.1668464
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1941-9899

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This research tests the interest indicator model of humour. Specifically, we investigate whether participants infer more romantic interest from partners who produce humour and respond positively to humour, and whether physical attractiveness moderates these effects. Participants viewed photos of more attractive and less attractive individuals along with vignettes describing the photographed individual's humour production and humour receptivity. Participants rated how romantically interested in them they perceived each photographed person to be. Results showed that participants inferred more romantic interest from individuals who were higher, as compared to lower, in humour production and humour receptivity, although physical attractiveness and gender moderated these effects. It appears that people infer more romantic interest from humour displayers. Humour's role in perceived romantic interest is discussed.