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.

Table of Contents:
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