Multidimensional Humor Styles and Generational Differences

Abstract

The present study examined generational differences in humor styles between Generation Z and Millennials, with a particular focus on testing differences in adaptive (affiliative and self-enhancing) and maladaptive (aggressive and self-defeating) humor styles. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from a purposive sample of 150 participants, comprising 75 Millennials and 75 Generation Z respondents. The 32-item Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) was administered to assess the four humor dimensions. The findings revealed that Millennials scored significantly higher on affiliative (M = 34.10, SD = 6.45) and self-enhancing humor (M = 37.10, SD = 7.65) compared to Generation Z (M = 32.80, SD = 7.10; M = 36.80, SD = 8.90 respectively). Welch’s t-test results showed these differences to be statistically significant (t = 2.95 and t = 2.463, p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis and supporting H1, which posits that Millennials use adaptive humor styles more frequently. Conversely, Generation Z scored significantly higher on aggressive (M = 34.65, SD = 7.40) and self-defeating humor (M = 31.10, SD = 9.60) compared to Millennials (M = 31.20, SD = 4.95; M = 29.90, SD = 8.20), with statistically significant t-values (t = 3.791 and t = 2.237, p < 0.05). These results support H2, indicating that Generation Z tends to use maladaptive humor styles more frequently.