Sense of humour and positive orientation to the self and to the world in the context of individual personality differences

Anna Starkowska, Daria Suchecka, Joanna Kotowska, Monika Mak

Abstract


ABSTRACT

Introduction: The aim of this paper describes the relationships between relatively stable personality traits, styles of humour and strength of positive orientation to the self and the external world. Good humour and a positive attitude are considered factors of health, by supporting a state of psychophysiological well-being and mediating the process of treating mental disorders, as well as physical illnesses.

The aim of the study was to identify personality traits related to constructive humour and a positive orientation to life, and thus promoting general well-being and motivation to take care of one’s own health and psychophysical condition.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire-based survey involved a group of 68 students of two social and medical universities in Szczecin (66% women, 34% men) aged 20 to 49 years (M = 24,5; SD = 6.4). Three standardized psychological test were used: the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire EPQ-R, the Humour Styles Questionnaire HSQ, and The Positivity Scale.

Results: The survey indicated the positive impact of extraversion (associated with a higher general sense of humour and aggressive humour), and a reduced need for social approval (associated with affiliative humour), as well as the negative impact of neuroticism, which was associated with higher masochistic humour, lower self-enhancing humour, and decreased positive orientation.

Conclusions: The study suggests that a personality profile characterised by openness to people and the external world, and at the same time emotionally balanced, with a predominance of positive feelings is preferred from the point of view of a positive attitude.


Keywords


personality; humour; positive orientation; well-being

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.382

Copyright (c) 2018 Anna Starkowska, Daria Suchecka, Joanna Kotowska, Monika Mak

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/pl/