Graduate Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Supervisory Committee Chair
Jim Olson Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Spencer K. Thompson, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Jennifer Rockett, Ph.D.
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between marital satisfaction and the use of humor, and to investigate whether or not this relationship was influenced by the length of marriage. I also examined how humor was appreciated as the couples were married longer and who produced the most humor; the husband or the wife. It was hypothesized that marital satisfaction would be highest among married couples who use higher levels of humor, that couples who had been married longer would have a greater appreciation of humor, and that the male partner would produce the most humor in the relationship. Results revealed no significant relationship between marital satisfaction and humor. Results also indicated that greater appreciation of humor was not related to the length of marriage. Finally, there was a significant difference in the production of humor in a relationship. That is, males seem to produce more humor than females in marital relationships. The study of marital satisfaction, as it relates to humor, provides us with a better understanding of how humor may affect married couples and this understanding may lead to better communication between couples and decrease divorce.
Recommended Citation
Slate, Genevia R., "A Funny Thing About Marriage" (2011). Graduate Theses. 41.
https://falconcommons.utpb.edu/utpb-cas/41
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Social Psychology Commons