C090

Social Humor Use

B12 Communication
Core LayerMML-2

Version v1.3.2

Definition

How much humor is used as a social tool for de-escalation, bonding, softening critique, status signaling, defense, masking.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Low humor use: humor is rare; communication is more serious/direct; less tension release.

High Pole

Humor is frequent; the person actively shapes atmosphere through jokes.

Reference

Contextual: higher with close people, lower in formal or high-stress settings.

Measure

Humor-intervention frequency per unit of interaction.

Measuring Methods

• Observation: frequency and type (supportive/sarcastic/defensive).
• Peer feedback: “humorous person” perception.
• Context test: humor change under stress/audience.

Empirical Anchor

Social humor use / affiliative humor (Martin et al., 2003); humor styles questionnaire — affiliative and self-enhancing.

Notes

• Distinct from cheerfulness: humor can be a cold influence instrument.
• Risks at MIN: dryness; reduced social flexibility.
• Risks at MAX: avoidance of seriousness; toxic sarcasm.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Social Humor Use (HES Passport C090, v1.3.2). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/C090

BibTeX

@misc{hes_C090, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Social Humor Use}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport C090, v1.3.2}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/C090}} }