Individual differences in personal humor styles: Identification of prominent patterns and their associates

Considerable recent research attention is evident in the humor and related literature concerning the topic of humor styles. The major focus to date has been on such styles considered individually rather than the combination of styles characteristic of any given person. Information about the latter topic can arguably advance understanding about humor styles and is examined in the present study. A cluster analysis of participants based on their self-ratings regarding Aggressive, Self-defeating, Affiliative, and Self-enhancing humor styles was performed. Four clusters of people were identified consisting of those who score: (1) above average on all of the styles, or (2) below average on all of the styles, or (3) above average on the positive styles (Affiliative and Self-enhancing), and below average on the negative styles (Aggressive and Self-defeating), or (4) above average on the negative styles and below average on the positive styles. Big Five personality and Self-esteem correlates of each cluster are reported and the theoretical, practical, and research implications of the findings are discussed.