Humor and Aging

Humor and Aging deals with humor throughout the life span, although primary attention is given to humor about and by the elderly. The book contains theoretical and review material from infancy to old age and includes empirical studies of death and dying in both our own and other societies.
The book is divided into four parts. Part I considers theoretical models of humor development across the life span and discusses physiological, psychological, and sociological processes. Part II deals with ways of considering humor and aging from different vantage points. These include (1) humor about people of different ages; (2) humor for people of different ages; and (3) humor by people of different ages. Part III addresses the grim subject of death and dying and how it lends itself to humorous treatment in our own and other societies. Part IV contains brief empirical reports. Since scientific research in humor and aging is only beginning, it seems important to discuss pilot work in hopes that others will follow. Finally, an epilogue by Loeb and Wood presents a compelling theoretical approach.

Contenu

Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I. Theory

1. Humor as a Data Base for the Study of Aging
   Introduction
   Examining Humor and Aging
   Research and Theory on Humor and Aging
   Summary and Conclusions
   References
2. Humor across the Life Span: Sources of Developmental Change and Individual Differences
   Introduction
   Sources of General Developmental Change
   Sources of Individual Differences
   Conclusions
   References
3. Theoretical and Functional Perspectives on the Development of Humor during Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence
   Introduction
   The Functions of Humor for Human Development
   Theoretical Perspectives of Humor
   Conclusion
   References
4. Humor, Physiology, and the Aging Process
   Introduction
   Problems Associated with the Aging Process
   The Special Roles of Humor Physiology in the Aging Process
   Implications of Findings in Humor Physiology
   Conclusion
   References
   Part II. Perspectives
5. Attitudes toward Aging Shown by Humor: A Review
   Introduction
   Content Analyses of Jokes
   The Debate over Methods and Meaning
   Content Analyses of Cartoons
   Jokes by the Aged
   Functions of Humor about Aging
   Future Research
   Conclusions
   References
6. Timing: The Significant Common Variable in Both Humor and Aging
   Introduction
   Psychological Timing
   Social Timing
   Selected Intraindividual Age-Related Temporal Changes That Could Be Related to Humor Behaviors
   Off-Timing, Timelessness, and Cohortcentricity in Humor
   Summary
   Conclusions
   References
7. Over the Miles: Coping, Communicating, and Commiserating through Age-Theme Greeting Cards
   Introduction
   Humor as a Coping Mechanism
   Responses to Age-Theme Birthday Cards
   Results
   Discussion
   References
8. The Last Minority: Humor, Old Age, and Marginal Identity
   Introduction
   Ethnic Humor
   Humor and Aging
   The Power of Marginal Identity
   References
   Part III. Death and Dying
9. Humor and the Death System: An Investigation of Funeral Directors
   Introduction
   Review of Literature
   Methodology
   Results
   Discussion
   Conclusions
   References
10. Hopi Ritual Clowns and Values in the Hopi Life Span
    Introduction
    The Hopi People
    Hopi Ritual Clowns and Clowning
    Hopi Responses to the Clowns
    Functions of the Clowns
    Clowns and the Hopi Life Span
    References
    Part IV. Brief Empirical Studies of Humor Across the Life Span
11. Humor and Aging in Children's Picture Books: Is the Joke on Grandpa?
    Introduction
    Method
    Results
    Discussion
    Appendix: Books Analyzed
    References
12. Male-Female Long-Term Relationships as a Source of Humor
    Introduction
    Cartoon Humor and Social Structures
    Method
    Content Analysis
    Conclusions
    References
13. The Effect of Humor on the Recovery Rate of Cataract Patients: A Pilot Study
    Introduction
    The Functions of Humor
    Purpose
    Method
    Presentation of Findings
    References
14. Generational Differences in Humor and Correlates of Humor Development
    Introduction
    Study 1: Undergraduate Students
    Study 2: Elderly Women
    Generation Differences in Humor
    General Discussion
    References
15. Performers' Views of Humor and Aging
    Introduction
    Method
    Subjects
    Results
    Performers' Views of Humor and Aging
    Discussion
    References
16. Epilogue: A Nascent Idea for an Eriksonian Model of Humor
    Introduction by Vivan Wood
    An Eriksonian Model of Humor
    Postscript by Vivian Wood
    References
    Author Index
    Subject Index