...David Gogichaishvili Graduate Student, School of Telecommunications, Ohio University Independent Study with WILL HOYT on “Humor in Management” Spring 2002 Introduction This literature review on humor in management explores the issues of effectiveness of humor in the workplace. The primary focus is in management processes. Humorous managers are more effective, so to say. But there are some techniques and tips for turning your humor into managerial success. Not every type of humor can be appropriate. The “What” section of this study deals with a general background about humor. Questions like why we should use humor, whether we should use it at all, etc. will be answered in the “Why” section of this paper. And finally, the “How” section will explore some basic rules on how to use humor in the workplace appropriately. There will be some suggestions even for managers who lack a sense of humor. So, enjoy and remember the most important aspect of humor in the workplace: Your employees should laugh with you, not at you! WHAT Humor is a quintessentially social phenomenon, since every joke requires both a teller and an audience. A sense of humor is a different and positive perspective on events and things. It can be utilized as an instrument to develop an atmosphere that is conductive to motivation. Laughter itself has physical, emotional, and moral benefits. Humorous people tend to be more adaptive, more capable of handling stress, more intelligent and more analytical...
Words: 4043 - Pages: 17
...master at utilizing humor in her work in order to draw her readers deeper into her stories and characters. Catherine Sustana wrote in an article about Flannery O’Connor’s use of humor that “because O’Connor’s humor is so engaging, it allows her stories to pull in readers who might not want to read…her stories at all” (1). Because of this, O’Connor has also attracted a sizeable amount of attention from scholars who seek to further analyze her humor in her writing. Through her exquisite use of Bergsonian humor in her writing, Flannery O’Connor succeeds at enticing her readers and scholars alike. Only the greatest and most renowned authors can pique the interest of other authors and scholars to the point...
Words: 1055 - Pages: 5
...Though humor can often be a welcome addition to many situations, using humor at work can often lead to unwanted outcomes. With the introduction of different genders in the workforce we have to take into consideration that different types of people appreciate different types of humor. With that in mind men and women respond differently to humor. Using the wrong style with the wrong people can have less than productive results. While men seem to appreciate a self-enhancing style of humor and women finding an affiliative style more to their liking. Humor with sexual undertones can lead to conflict and division of groups. These types of humor can be offensive and should be avoided in the workplace. While the use of humor can be a good thing it often can be a double edged sword mainly for the way others perceive it causing a misinterpretation. Using the wrong type of humor can have adverse effects, with people having different views resulting in less than proactive results. Misunderstanding of humor can materialize feelings of discontent, alienation, inferiority, and anger. Most times it is better to avoid the use of aggressive humor as it can make others feel intimidated and cause competition between employees. To effectively use humor in the work place is possible but efforts must be taken to provide a comfortable platform. Using the correct types of humor and reading the situation and audience to select the proper humor style to use can be the largest challenge. The OHM model...
Words: 366 - Pages: 2
...Final Project Proposal This paper aims to explore how humor, a site of construction of gender identity and power relation, is employed by both males and females to negotiate their power relations and either subvert or confirm their gender roles. I believe this topic is of particular interest because though a number of studies have been conducted to examine the relation between gender practice and occupational practice, and ways of constructing gender roles via humor. Concentration is rarely deployed on humor use by males and females at workplace. This review is important because there is a growing number of female practitioners participating in different sectors and industries. They are frequently confronted with paradoxical situations of their gender role of feminity and their professional competence and leadership, usually tagged with masculinity. This paper will offer some insights to professional females about how they can resolve such paradoxes at their workplace through the employment of humor. Besides, this topic is of particular interest because it can be seen through the review of the body of literature, that the meaning and effect of humor, as a linguistic means can never be captured nicely. It can have different functions in different context, which is in accordance with the “ambiguity” and “polysemy”put forward by Tannen (1993), so this paper will probes into the fluidity and ambivalency of this linguistic means. Moreover, one big context in this review...
Words: 1195 - Pages: 5
...Topic: Laughter at Work Purpose: to persuade my audience that Laughing at work can be beneficial. Thesis Statement: The need for Laughter with others has many beneficial aspects not only for your health, your career but also strengthening your personal relationships with others. Introduction: How much do you laugh at work with co-workers? How many of you find it challenging to attend work never smiling or grumpy with an attitude? Some of you will probably say that this is a daily struggle. First, today I will tell you how Laughter incorporated into your busy schedules at work, along with your co-workers will benefit your health, your work atmosphere, and help manage stress in your life. Body: I. Laughing at work has lasting effects. A. Appropriate humor can make hard task easier. Humor will help maintain a healthy balance between the pressure and seriousness. B. People love to be around someone with a smile. Smiling plays a central role in a team, because others are naturally drawn to them, want to have conservation and ideas come across spontaneously. C. Director of Human Resources in a large computer company states that 84% of the employees with a sense of humor do a better job than a person with little or no sense of humor. D. Humor can improve productivity, and an essential part to relating to others. As you can see that just a little bit of laughter can have a tremendous effect on the outcome of your career and working together with your associates. So now let’s...
Words: 552 - Pages: 3
...Week 5 1) Considering that burnout has been related to the amount and type of work done along with the type of work that you do or hope to do, are you at risk for burnout? Why? No, I do not believe that I am a candidate for burnout. I work with children and they change every year and there is never a dull moment so it doesn’t become monotone, boring, and repitious, which all is a clear description of burnout. 2) Describe some of the effects that secondary traumatic stress can have on professional capability. This can have detrimental effects on individuals, both professionally and personally, including a decrease in productivity, the inability to focus, and the development of new feelings of incompetency and self doubt. 3) Review the factors that contribute and explain burnout on page 89. Have you ever experienced these in your professional experience? I can honestly say that I believe everyone over some period of time experiences those symptoms or something similar to those symptoms. It is just a part of having a steady career that has to do with a repetitious field. How you handle the day to day or how you chose to see your daily career may make or break the fine line between a rut and burnout. Week 6 1) Describe some of the ways humor helps relieve stress related to trauma (physiologic and therapeutic.) I’ve independently read that laughing releases endorphins that help you calm and relieve stress. I have also learned that changing...
Words: 824 - Pages: 4
...Humor Outline Introduction I. Story about the comedian II. This situation works because the comedian used humor to covey his message. III. It’s easy to recognize universal concepts that everybody recognizes it and uses it. And yet it’s specific to that person. IV. I research V. I would like to share with you what humor is exactly and how it’s it comes about. Body I. So what exactly is humor? a. Humor, according to the Encarta is the ability to see things as funny. Insert entire definition here. 1. Laughter is the typical response to something that is humorous however it would be inaccurate to define humor solely as something that provokes laughter. i. For example, people laugh when they are embarrassed, nerveless or sometimes out of fear. ii. Something can be seen as humorous even if no one laughs. iii. People laugh at things that aren’t humorous at all like laugh tracks in the background of sitcom or in the case of malicious glee. 2. The way to define it is according to Merriam Webster definition be said that humor is the quality which appeals to the sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous. b. Humor is an intrinsically social phenomena we know that because changes based on the culture and individual. 1. For example culture will dictate what is and isn't humorous, when humor is appropriate, what types of humor appropriate in a given...
Words: 815 - Pages: 4
...often used in persuasion is humor. Humor is a valuable quality that causes laughter in individuals as they do ridiculous things or say a few silly jokes to make individuals laugh and put individuals in a great mood. “According to persuasion theory, people who are in good mood are less likely to disagree with a persuasion…” (Lyttle, 2001, p.207). Your emotions also work together with the way an individual meditates on different issues or situations in our lives. There are many different methods of persuasion techniques that have been used in marketing, public campaign, and in political messages. The authentic message itself is essential as one message can bring about wavering altitudes of emotions and humor for many different people. In human relationship humor is not only significant, but it can help reliefs the pressure and avoid the escalation of conflict, but it is also can be a remedy for your heart, soul, and mind. (Seiter & Gass, 2004). Some individuals have many different opinions on this subject matter, however, regarding the effectiveness of humor in persuasion. After reading Perspective on persuasion, social influence, and compliance, The Effectiveness of humor in persuasion: the case of business ethics training, and The Joint impact of humor and argument strength in a print advertising context: a case for weaker argument I had a few questions that I thought about. There are, what is the appropriate time when an individuals should use humor in marketing, for illustration...
Words: 1252 - Pages: 6
...The Application of Humor Appeal Humor—the most popular appeal in Super Bowl TV commercials According to the figures on New York Times website, a statistic chart of ads appeal in Super bowl can be drawn as below. Chart 1 [pic] Chart 1 illustrates humor is always the most prevailing advertising appeal in Super Bowl during the last 26 years. In 1980s, about 40%-50% of ads chose to use humor as the advertisement appeal, but the percentage had boomed up to more than 80% in 2010, as twice as before. Though Americans’ heart were badly hurt by 9-11 attacks in 2001, which had lead the percentage of humor fell back to 40%, it was still used more than animals and celebrity appeal. Advantages of using humorous appeal Humor—the perfect appeal used on TV Super bowl is supposed to provide a great chance for varied companies to broadcast high-profile ads because super bowel can attract approximately 90 millions viewers on TV. Undoubtedly, TV is considered as the most suitable media platform to earn eyeball economy profit. In the book Humor in advertising: A comprehensive analysis, Madden and Weinberger (1984) and Weinberger and Spotts (1989) conduct advertising research among the top 150 agencies in U.S and UK about their views on the use of humor. TV was thought to be overwhelmingly best suitable for the use of humor. To sum up, TV commercials with humor appeal can help companies stand out from crowded pool of advertisements and ultimately maximize the benefits of TV...
Words: 1497 - Pages: 6
...Employees do not follow and respect a leader without confidence. Such leaders avoid confrontation and face to face discussion and cannot create happy work environment. Lack of self-confidence prevents you from having positive and realistic views of yourself and the situations you are involved in. It makes you fearful of challenges, unable to stand up for what you believe, and with no courage to admit your limitations (Berger, 2005). Last but not lease is lack of humor. A sense of humor goes a long way in leadership. Lack of humor can be an image of negative work place, hampering friendship in an organization. To achieve the positive attributes such as communication, delegation, commitment and creativity, I would be proactive in creating the platform of discussion and regular meetings. There should be a clear mission statement, official and un-official get together parties and work retreats can be organized to encourage communication. Communication is an important key to a leader’s success. To grow as a leader and a manager, you have to learn to be an effective communicator. For the success of your organization you and your team have to know the art of communication together, so that, new levels of leadership excellence can be reached (Froschheiser L....
Words: 988 - Pages: 4
...Humor. A word which, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, means “That quality which appeals to a sense of the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous.” Inside of that baroque definition though, the word has a broader meaning something that generates a sense of happiness, hilarity, and thoughtfulness in its listeners. It should be of note though, that this is only in the case that it is accomplished to its best effect, otherwise, it would take on a whole different form. Otherwise, humor stays roughly the same anytime and anyplace. Much like how happiness and who it affects can depend on who is on the receiving end of it, the concept or practice of humor can be very subjective as well. Its effect entirely weighs upon someone’s likes, dislikes...
Words: 1159 - Pages: 5
...The Judge of Wars and American Society --Black Humor in the Slaughterhouse Five American society was unstable at 1960s. Korean War and Vietnam War catalyze anti-war emotion among the American people. Black humor was normally appeared in the both literature works and comic works during that period. Black means oppression, sadness, helpless and death. Black humor is a way of using ironical comedy to show tragedy. Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller were the most famous writers in American at the period of anti-war writing. Slaughterhouse Five and Catch 22 were the representative work of black humor back then. In the Slaughterhouse Five, through the using of dark humor in the language and the characters, Kurt Vonnegut suggests the meaningless, indifferent and ruthless of the wars and American Society. In the Slaughterhouse Five, there are senses of embittered humor with the Tralfamadorian phrase “So it goes” and “blue and ivory”. These two phrases appear in the novel more than a hundred times. Through the using of repeating phrases after each time when death happens, Vonnegut built their meaning with each incremental refrain. It may look upon as funny in an ironic way when one see “So it goes” at the first time. However, when one reads further in the novel, that phrase becomes irreverent and irritating. Also at the same time, Vonnegut compares the war scene which is “all the young people in bright elastic clothing and enormous boots and goggles, bombed out of their skulls with snow,...
Words: 1106 - Pages: 5
...A Pragmatic Analysis of English Humor in jokes Abstract Looking back at the history, humorous language and behaviour had been treated as frivolous, ludicrous, and even evil. However, with the development of social civilization, people have gradually realized that humour actually is indispensable for our monotonous and regular life. Humour is embodied in operas, movies, writings, conversations, etc. And the most common type is humorous conversations. In many pragmatics books, lots of humorous conversations can be found, which are employed to analyze pragmatics. So we can see that humour and pragmatics are closely connected. However, papers about humorous language with a pragmatic view are comparatively only a few. Besides, most of them only focus on certain aspects of pragmatics, for example, cooperative principle. Based on the main parts of pragmatics, this paper does a comparatively detailed research on the humorous language in English conversations. At the beginning of the thesis, some popular definitions of humour are compared and a conclusion is made. Then humour is classified into four types and its functions in the social interaction are specified. Key Words: English Humour; Conversational implicature; Violation; Humorous effects 摘 要 回望历史，幽默的语言和行为都被视为琐屑无聊，很可笑，和甚至邪恶。然而，随着社会文明的发展，人们逐渐认识幽默实际上是为我们的单调和定期生活不可或缺。幽默被体现在歌剧、 电影、 文字、 对话等。最常见的类型是幽默的交谈。 在许多语用学书籍，大量的幽默对话可以被发现，是用来分析语用学。所以我们可以看到幽默和语用学紧密相连的。然而，关于幽默的语言与语用的视图文件是相对较少。此外，绝大多数人只专注于某些方面的语用学，例如，合作原则。基于语用学的主要部分，本文做了较为详细的研究在英语会话幽默的语言。 ...
Words: 5553 - Pages: 23
...Not Talent; It’s Just Work”, emphasizes the difference between being talented and being disciplined. Dillards purpose is to persuade anyone that feels that they are incapable of doing something that anything is possible with hard work. She adopts a sentimental tone in order to appeal to her audiences feeling of confidence in themselves. Through Dillards effective use of certain words over others and her sense of humor, she is more capable of appealing to the emotions of her audience making them more confident. The very first thing that is noticed in Dillards text is the title, which in itself is a sophisticated form of her word choice. In her title “It’s Not Talent; It’s Just Work” Dillard makes...
Words: 793 - Pages: 4
...Easy A The Princess Bride, Groundhog Day, and Ferris Bueller’s Day off have all become some of the great classic comedies of all time. What makes a classic comedies movie? A classic stands the test of time. It does not matter the period the film was made, because people can relate to the storyline in each era. The plots are solid. The films are enjoyed generation after generation. I believe Easy A will be joining this group of classic comedies as move generation moves to the next one. What makes Easy A such a great movie, that will last for generations, is its story. About how one lie can change the way everyone see you. It is a relatable and clever movie, with great humor and quotable one-liners. Easy A is about a high school student, Olive Penderghast, played by the talented Emma Stone, finds herself the victim of her school's "rumor mill". When she lies to her best friend Rhiannon, played by Alyson Michalka that she has a date with a nonexistent community college student, so that she doesn’t have to spend the weekend with Rhiannon and her family. The two of them are over heard in the bathroom the next Monday as Olive lies about her encounter, telling Rhiannon that she lost her virginity that weekend with her fictitious boyfriend. The rumor spreads through the school like wild fire; she soon becomes the scandal of the school after the religious fanatic Marianne decides to make her the school outcast. Meanwhile, Olive is studying "The Scarlet Letter" in the English...
Words: 883 - Pages: 4
