PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Daniel P. Howrigan
MA-Research
Fall 2007

Intentional Humor as a Mental Fitness Indicator

    To explain the pervasive role of humor in human social interaction and among mating partner preferences, Geoffrey Miller’s sexual selection theory predicts that intentional humor evolved as an indicator of intelligence and genetic quality in humans.  The current study tested these predictions by looking at the relationships among rater-judged intentional humor production, intelligence, and indicators of general fitness. In a sample of 147 college-age students, intentional humor production showed significant, yet modest, positive correlations with measures of intelligence (r = .18 - .28).  Intentional humor production did not show any consistent relationships with indicators of general fitness, as measured by life history strategy and self-reported health.  In addition, males were rated as more effective humor producers than females, although this difference was not strong (d = .37).  The current study lends support to the prediction that intentional humor is an indicator of intelligence in humans, concluding that intentional humor production may act as an effective signal of social intelligence, but not general fitness.

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