Aggression arousal, hostile humor, catharsis.

Abstract

This chapter examines the possible cathartic and tension-reducing function of hostile derisive humor centering around themes of revenge and destruction. It describes the effects of aggression arousal on the appreciation of hostile humor under two conditions: humor presented immediately following arousal, and humor presented after interposed administration of a mood checklist. When hostile humor, neutral humor, and a control recording were compared in their effect on aroused subjects, both the hostile and the neutral humor reduced aggressive motivation as measured by a mood checklist. The chapter seeks to devise an experimental analogue of the interpersonal situation in which hostile humor should best mediate a symbolic catharsis: C, having angered A and B, becomes the target of hostile humor authored by A for B’s benefit. In the hostile humor the humorist toyed with fantasies of Negro retaliation against whites and Negro supremacy.