Age differences in the enjoyment of incongruity-resolution and nonsense humor during adulthood.

This study tested a model of the development of incongruity-resolution and nonsense humor during adulthood. Subjects were 4,292 14- to 66-year-old Germans. Twenty jokes and cartoons representing structure-based humor categories of incongruity resolution and nonsense were rated for funniness and aversiveness. Humor structure preferences were also assessed with a direct comparison task. The results generally confirmed the hypotheses. Incongruity-resolution humor increased in funniness and nonsense humor decreased in funniness among progressively older subjects after the late teens. Aversiveness of both forms of humor generally decreased over the ages sampled. Age differences in humor appreciation were strongly correlated with age differences in conservatism. An especially strong parallel was found between age differences in appreciation of incongruity-resolution humor and age differences in conservatism.

Adjustment of early parenthood: the role of accuracy of preparenthood experiences.

PIP: Study designed to determine the relationship between accuracy of preparenthood expectations about parenthood and the incidence of problems associated with the transition to parenthood. Parents who were expecting their 1st child in about 6 weeks completed a prebirth questionnaire pertaining to expectations about various dimensions of parenthood. The same questionnaire was administered 2 months after the birth of the baby, along with questions concerning the kinds of problems the parents had encountered. 2 comparison control groups were also tested. Parents' preparenthood expectations did not differ significantly from their subsequent perceptions of parenthood. However, mothers with less accurate expectations about parenthood were most likely to have problems adjusting to parenthood. No comparable relationship obtained for fathers. Less accurate expectations about parenthood among mothers were also associated with lower levels of preparation for parenting, higher age levels, and a greater number of years of prior marriage. Specific aspects of parenthood that mothers and fathers were least prepared for and that posed the greatest problems are discussed.^ieng

Test of an information-processing model of humor: physiological response changes during problem- and riddle-solving.

Heart rate and skin conductance were monitored continuously while subjects heard and responded to seven riddles and seven problems which were structurally similar. Hypotheses based on cognitive problem-solving models of humor were tested by comparing changes occurring during problem solving with those that occurred during "riddle solving". While heart rate tended to accelerate once a riddle or problem was presented and decelerate once the answer or punch line was given, there were significant differences in skin conductance between riddle- and problem-solving responses, suggesting that a purely problem-solving model of humor may be untenable. A test of Berlyne's hypothesis of arousal change and humor appreciation was also made. As predicted, humor appreciation was greatest for those who showed a moderate amount of change.