The Influence of Intergroup Context on the Appreciation of Controversial Humour

Abstract

This research tested the influence of source (ingroup/outgroup) on the appreciation of controversial humour with Cavalier Humour Beliefs (CHB) as moderating variable. One hundred and three left-wing students participated in an online research where they read a humorous controversial column and answered scales on funniness, acceptability and CHB. Half of the participants were led to believe the humour was written by someone from their ingroup (left-wing), the other half were led to believe the humour was written by someone from their outgroup (right-wing). Results showed that controversial humour from the ingroup was more appreciated than controversial humour from the outgroup. No moderating effects were found for CHB on the relation between intergroup context and the appreciation of controversial humour.