title: Effects of humorous stimuli and sense of humor on discomfort.
abstract: The effects of humor on increasing discomfort thresholds were tested with Transcutaneous End Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Undergraduate students (n = 31) with high or low scores on Martin and Lecourt's Situational Humor Questionnaire were randomly assigned to a humor or nonhumor condition. Discomfort thresholds for TENS were assessed before and during treatment. There was a significant increase in discomfort thresholds in the humorous treatment compared to the nonhumorous condition. Evidence was found for subjects to smile "wryly" (an increase in zygomatic and corrugator tensions) more during humorous stimuli than nonhumorous stimuli when they were waiting to be stimulated with the TENS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA 16335.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hudak
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hudak
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: DeGood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012904:Smiling; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000523:psychology*; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic