Most of us laugh at something funny multiple times during a typical day. Humor serves multiple purposes, and although there is a sizable and expanding research literature on the subject, the research is spread in a variety of disciplines. The Psychology of Humor, 2e reviews the literature, integrating research from across subdisciplines in psychology, as well as related fields such as anthropology, biology, computer science, linguistics, sociology, and more. This book begins by defining humor and presenting theories of humor. Later chapters cover cognitive processes involved in humor and the effects of humor on cognition. Individual differences in personality and humor are identified as well as the physiology of humor, the social functions of humor, and how humor develops and changes over the lifespan. This book concludes noting the association of humor with physical and mental health, and outlines applications of humor use in psychotherapy, education, and the workplace.

1. Introduction to the Psychology of Humor 2. Classic Theories of Humor 3. Contemporaries of Humor 4. The Personality Psychology of Humor 5. The Cognitive Psychology of Humor 6. The Physiological Psychology of Humor and Laughter 7. The Developmental Psychology of Humor 8. The Social Psychology of Humor 9. The Clinical Psychology of Humor: Humor and Mental Health 10. The Health Psychology of Humor: Humor and Physical Health 11. Applications of Humor in Education and in the Workplace