What makes someone like Jim Carrey or Ricky Gervais so hilarious? Is a killer sense of humour something you're born with, or can it be decoded? According to scientific research, there are four core styles of comedy that define how we use laughter and wit. More intriguingly, a specific psychological test can pinpoint exactly which style you possess.
The Four Pillars of Comedy
Back in 2003, a team of researchers from the University of Western Ontario, led by Rod A. Martin, developed a tool to categorise how individuals use humour. Their work, published in the Journal of Research in Personality, introduced the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ). This assessment breaks down humour into four distinct dimensions: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating.
"The Humor Styles Questionnaire assesses four dimensions relating to individual differences in uses of humor," the team explained. These are defined as relatively benign uses of humour to enhance the self (Self-enhancing) and to enhance relationships (Affiliative), alongside uses that enhance the self at others' expense (Aggressive) or boost relationships at one's own expense (Self-defeating).
What Your Score Reveals About You
The questionnaire itself consists of 32 statements, where participants indicate their level of agreement. Your results provide a score for each humour style, comparing you to the wider population.
If you score highly in affiliative humour, you likely love sharing jokes and engaging in spontaneous, witty banter to strengthen social bonds. Think of comedians like Michael McIntyre. "They often tell jokes and funny stories to amuse others... and do not take themselves too seriously," the researchers noted. Studies link this style to being cheerful, outgoing, and having strong relationships.
A high score in self-enhancing humour suggests you maintain a humorous outlook on life, using comedy as a coping mechanism during tough times. This style, seen in personalities like Greg Davies, is associated with emotional resilience, optimism, and good stress management. "Even when they are alone, they are often amused by the absurdities of life," the study adds.
Aggressive humour involves sarcasm, teasing, and put-downs. High scorers, akin to Jimmy Carr, may use ridicule or offensive jokes without concern for others' feelings. "Making fun of others is a way they try to enhance their own self-esteem," the researchers stated. This style correlates with general aggressiveness and insensitivity, though not necessarily with lower self-esteem.
Finally, self-defeating humour involves excessive self-disparagement. Those who score highly here, similar to Nish Kumar, often make themselves the butt of the joke to gain acceptance. "They tend to use humour to hide their true feelings," the team explained. Unfortunately, this style is frequently linked to lower self-esteem, anxiety, and relationship dissatisfaction.
Discover Your Comic Persona
The enduring relevance of this two-decade-old test highlights a universal fascination with what makes us laugh and why. Whether you're the life of the party with affiliative quips, the resilient optimist with self-enhancing wit, the sharp-tongued sarcast, or the self-deprecating joker, your humour style offers a window into your personality and social interactions.
So, do you have what it takes to be the next big comedian? The science suggests your comedic flavour is already baked in. The only question left is: which one are you?
