This introduction will be part of my study examining the effects of laughter on perceived stress among both males and females. A statistical analysis will be conducted to determine if there is a difference in perceived stress between those who have simply viewed humorous material and those who have not. In addition, we are interested in finding out whether males and females respond differently to the material they have seen. It will be included in the first assessment of the module ‘Further Research Methods in Psychology’. The data will be analysed to help understand any differences in perceived stress in people that have just viewed some humorous material and those that haven’t. We are also interested in any differences in male and female responses or if males/females respond differently to the material they have seen.
An introduction will need a rationale accordingly to the previous literature along with three hypotheses.
Existing work has shown laughter to have a beneficial effect on physical and
psychological health.
psychological health.
The study rationale would, in part, be to investigate if laughter has a positive effect on
stress AND if there are male/female differences in both stress and response to the
material you show participants.
stress AND if there are male/female differences in both stress and response to the
material you show participants.
So, the literature review for the introduction to the report will focus somewhat on the
beneficial effects of laughter. If you cannot find much research on perceived stress
this can strengthen the rationale of the study.
beneficial effects of laughter. If you cannot find much research on perceived stress
this can strengthen the rationale of the study.
Hypotheses should sound something like H1: There will be an effect of
laughter, indicated by participants watching the humorous or neutral video, on reported perceived stress.
H2: There will be an effect of gender on perceived stress reported using The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). H3:
There will be an interaction effect between laughter and gender on reported perceived stress.
laughter, indicated by participants watching the humorous or neutral video, on reported perceived stress.
H2: There will be an effect of gender on perceived stress reported using The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). H3:
There will be an interaction effect between laughter and gender on reported perceived stress.
Also, I will include some references that can be used. There’s certainly no obligation to use any of these but they may be helpful – not all will be relevant but they do fall under the premise of ‘well-being’.
The introduction needs a minimum of five academic and relevant references in your introduction including at least one suggesting a difference/effect for your demographic factor (e.g., male/female differences).
References list: Beckman, H., Regier, N., & Young, J.L. (2007). Effect of Workplace Laughter Groups on Personal Efficacy Beliefs. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 28, 167-182. Retrieved from http://www.cottage-apotheke.at/media/Presse/13%20Wiss_%20Studie%20Workplace%20Laughter.pdf
Bennett M. P., Lengacher C. A. (2006) Humor and laughter may influence health. II. History and background. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2)187–190 doi:10.1093/ecam/nel014
Bennett, M. P., & Lengacher, C. A. (2006). Humor and Laughter may Influence Health. I. History and Background. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 3(1), 61–63.
Booth-Butterfield, M., Booth-Butterfield, S., & Wanzer, M. (2007). Funny students cope better: Patterns of humor enactment and coping effectiveness. Communication Quarterly, 55(3), 299-315.
Chik, M.P.Y., & Ho, S.K. (2010). The effects of humor and gender on the relationship between social support and psychological well-being. The American Journal of Psychological Research, 6(1), 218-240.
Colom, G.G., Alcover, C.T., Sánchez-Curto, C., & Zárate-Osuna, J. (2011). Study of the Effect of Positive Humour as a Variable That Reduces Stress. Relationship of Humour with Personality and Performance Variables. Psychology in Spain,2011, Vol. 15. No 1, 9 – 21. Retrieved from http://www.psychologyinspain.com/content/full/2011/15002.pdf
Edwards, K. R., & Martin, R. A. (2010). Humor Creation Ability and Mental Health: Are Funny People more Psychologically Healthy? Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 6(3), 196-212.
Fox, C. L., Hunter, S. C., Jones, S. E. (2016). Children’s humor types and psychosocial adjustment. Personality and Individual Differences, 89, 86-91.
Gallivan, J. (1999). Gender and Humor: What Makes a Difference? North American Journal of Psychology, 1(2), 307-318.
Gonot-Schoupinsky, F. N., & Garip, G. (2018). Laughter and humour interventions for well-being in older adults: A systematic review and intervention classification. Complementary therapies in medicine, 38, 85-91.
Josephs, R. A., Markus, H. R., Tafarodi, R. W. (1992). Gender and self-esteem. Journal of personality and social psychology, 63, (3), 391-402.
Kim, S. H., Kim, Y. H., Kim, H. J., Kim, S. H., Kim, Y. H., & Kim, H. J. (2015). Laughter and Stress Relief in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, e864739. http://doi.org/10.1155/2015/864739 – Full text link: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/864739/
Liu K W Y., (2012) Humor Styles, Self-Esteem and Subjective Happiness. Discovery – SS Student E-Journal Vol. 1, 2012, 21-41 21
Kling, K. C., Hyde, J. S., Showers, C. J., & Buswell, B. N. (1999). Gender differences in self-esteem: a meta-analysis. Psychological bulletin, 125(4), 470.
Martin, R. A. (2001). Humor, laughter, and physical health: Methodological issues and research findings. Psychological Bulletin, 127(4), 504-519. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.127.4.504
Ozyesil, Z (2012) The Prediction Level of Self-Esteem on Humor Style and Positive-Negative Affect, Psychology 2012. Vol.3, No.8, 638-641
Szabo, A., Ainsworth, S. E., & Danks, P. K. (2005). Experimental comparison of the psychological benefits of aerobic exercise, humor, and music. Humor, 18(3), 235-246. doi:10.1515/humr.2005.18.3.235