Humour across cultures. Research on transcultural humour in intercultural coaching and training settings

Master's Thesis , 2013 , 106 Pages , Grade: 1,3

Communications - Intercultural Communication

Humour accompanies one daily: It is widely used in movies, and it is intentionally used in everyday life. One can recognize that humour makes one feel good, relieves tensions (created by inter- and intrapersonal conflicts) and its charming character connects, bonds and unites us with the people surrounding us. Further, scientific therapeutic discourses identified humour and its popular response laughter benefits mental health and social contacts and therefore should be used in therapeutic practices. Hence, it is suggested to rethink humour not only as a therapeutic instrument, but also as a useful
tool in counselling settings like Intercultural Coaching and Training.

For now, one only knows that in intercultural settings the practice of humour is delicate due to cultural differences. But is there a humour that works beyond cultures? Why is it possible that for example a Brazilian and a Chinese person could laugh (as a response to a humorous message) together about the same humorous interaction? From a transcultural research angle the question of how to use a transcultural humour in intercultural coaching and training settings becomes relevant. Thus, the present
study will examine the application and practice of humour by intercultural training and coaching experts for the first time. Their experiences in terms of its functions, its implementation and potential criteria of transcultural humour will be explored.

The present thesis refers to theoretical concepts in humour research based on findings in social, communication and therapeutic psychology and introduces a scientifically new - currently disregarded - concept and definition of transcultural humour, based on findings of problem-centred expert interviews from intercultuarl coaches and trainers from around the world. Moreover the present study provides primary information on how a transcultural humour can work (assessing criteria, topics, functions, styles) and why it is recommended to make use of humour in Intercultural Coaching and Training.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• ABSTRACT
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• REFLEXIVITY STATEMENT
• CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 The intercultural coaching and training setting
• 1.3 Problem statement
• 1.4 Research objective and questions
• 1.5 Research framework: Transcultural Humour
• 1.6 Hypotheses
• 1.7 Scope of the study
• 1.8 Theoretical and practical relevance of the study
• 1.9 Structure of the study
• CHAPTER 2: SELECTED THEORETICAL BASICS ON HUMOUR
• 2.1 Humour and the sense of humour
• 2.2 Types of humour
• 2.3 Communicational aspects of humour and its functions
• 2.3.1 Communicational functions of humour
• 2.3.2 Psychological functions
• 2.3.3 Social functions
• 2.3.4 Summary
• 2.4 Humour and context: Transcultural aspects of humour
• 2.4.1 The terminology of culture
• 2.4.2 Main assumptions on transcultural aspects of humour
• 2.4.3 The notion of context
• 2.4.4 Intercultural Coaching (ICC) and Intercultural Training (ICT) as context
• 2.5 Summing up: Specification of research objective, questions and hypotheses
• CHAPTER 3: STUDY ON TRANSCULTURAL HUMOUR
• 3.1 Methodology
• 3.1.1 Introduction to qualitative social research: Qualitative and quantitative research
• 3.1.2 Application of qualitative research design with regards to the study
• 3.1.3 The Interview as data collection and theory proving method
• 3.1.3.1 The problem-centred interview
• 3.1.3.2 The expert interview
• 3.1.3.3 The written interview
• 3.1.3.4 The structured interview
• 3.1.4 Summary
• 3.2 Practical implementations: Research realisation and data collection
• 3.2.1 Research design: The interview guideline
• 3.2.2 The participants: Enrolment and description of the sample
• 3.2.3 Pre-test and conduction of interviews
• 3.2.4 Ethical aspects
• 3.2.5 Double-checking
• 3.2.6 Summary
• 3.3 Analysis of the interviews
• 3.3.1 Evaluation method: Qualitative content analysis (MAYRING)
• 3.3.2 Evaluation procedure: Deductive and inductive category application
• CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS
• 4.1 General findings
• 4.2 The concept of transcultural humour
• 4.3 Subject matters, functions and criteria of transcultural humour
• 4.3.1 Criteria for the application of transcultural humour
• 4.3.2 Subject matters
• 4.3.3 Functions of transcultural humour
• 4.4 Transcultural humour in Intercultural Coaching and Training
• 4.5 Summary
• CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION
• 5.1 Summary and discussion of the findings
• 5.2 Limitations of the study
• 5.3 Suggestions for further research
• 5.4 Final considerations
• REFERENCES
• APPENDIX

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This research aims to explore the application of humor in intercultural coaching and training settings and to validate the existence of transcultural humor. The study investigates the criteria, subject matters, and functions of transcultural humor, and aims to develop practical implementations for its use in intercultural coaching and training contexts.

• Transcultural Humor
• Intercultural Coaching and Training
• Humor as a Tool for Social, Communicational, and Psychological Purposes
• Contextual Factors Influencing Humor
• Cultural Differences and Similarities in Humor

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic of transcultural humor in intercultural coaching and training, outlines the problem statement, research objectives, and hypotheses, and clarifies the scope and relevance of the study. It also discusses the theoretical framework and structure of the research project.
• Chapter 2: Selected Theoretical Basics on Humour: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation by exploring the concepts of humor, sense of humor, types of humor, and communicational aspects of humor. It also examines the role of context in transcultural humor and explores the application of humor within the specific context of intercultural coaching and training.
• Chapter 3: Study on Transcultural Humour: This chapter delves into the methodology used for this research, including the qualitative research design and the specific methods employed for data collection and analysis. The chapter details the selection of participants, the interview guidelines, and the ethical considerations taken during the research process.
• Chapter 4: Findings: This chapter presents the findings of the study, focusing on the concept of transcultural humor, its subject matters, functions, and criteria. It explores the role of transcultural humor in intercultural coaching and training settings, examining its practical applications and effectiveness.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study focuses on transcultural humor, intercultural coaching, intercultural training, humor as a tool, contextual factors, cultural differences and similarities, and practical applications in intercultural communication settings. It aims to contribute to the understanding of humor across cultures and its potential to promote positive communication and social interaction in diverse environments.

• College: European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (Faculty of Cultural Studies)
• Course: Master Intercultural Communication Studies
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Diplom-Kommunikationspsychologin Alexandra Mietusch (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 106
• Catalog Number: V309544
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668078543
• ISBN (Book): 9783668078550
• Language: English
• Tags: transcultural humor, intercultural coaching, intercultural training, humor across cultures, intercultural humor