The Effect of Being Moved on the Relationship between Humor and Reflective State

Abstract

Previous studies show a negative relationship between humor and reflection, because humor causes people to pay less attention to nonhumorous contexts. In contrast, the present study examines if humor can stimulate reflection if a message also moves people. Next to that, it is assumed that need for affect has a moderating effect on the relationship between being moved and reflection. A multiple linear regression tested these hypotheses. Results show a positive relation between being moved and reflection among students/recently graduates (N = 100). Future research is needed to investigate the causality from this relationship. Furthermore, results provide no evidence for the other hypotheses. Therefore, it is recommended that future research investigate if the results from the present study replicate or not. In summary, the present study demonstrates that there is a strong positive relationship between feeling moved and reflection. On the other hand, this study cannot draw any conclusions on the hypothesis that being moved moderates the effect of humor on reflection, or on the hypothesis that a high need for affect strengthens the relationship between being moved and reflection. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.