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.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
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 Social functions
2.3.3 Psychological 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 Characteristics of qualitative interview
3.1.3.2 The problem-centred interview
3.1.3.3 The expert interview
3.1.3.4 The written interview
3.1.3.5 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
3.3.3 Summary
3.4 Presentation of results
3.4.1 Category I: Humour’s functions
3.4.2 Category II: Purpose of humour in ICC and ICT
3.4.3 Category III: Manner of humour application in ICC and ICT
3.4.4 Category IV: Transcultural humour (TCH)
3.4.5 Category V: Functions of TCH
3.4.6 Aspect analysis
3.4.7 Quality criteria of reliability and validity
3.4.8 Summary
3.5 Interpretation and discussion
3.5.1 Hypothesis I
3.5.2 Hypothesis II
3.5.3 Hypothesis III
3.5.4 Hypothesis IV
3.5.5 General assumptions and thoughts
3.5.6 Critics: Limitations and future implications
3.5.6.1 The researches limitations
3.5.6.2 Prospects for future studies
3.6 Concluding comments
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This study aims to examine the application and perception of humour by international experts in Intercultural Coaching (ICC) and Intercultural Training (ICT), specifically seeking to identify whether a "transcultural humour" exists that can function effectively across different cultural boundaries. The central research question explores how this transcultural humour can be defined, its criteria, and its practical application within counselling settings to overcome cultural barriers and build common ground.
- Theoretical exploration of humour as a communicational and social phenomenon.
- Distinction between "humour as a phenomenon" and the individual "sense of humour."
- Qualitative expert analysis of humour's functions (social, communicational, psychological) in coaching and training.
- Introduction of the concept of "transcultural humour" as a resource for professional counselling.
- Methodological integration of qualitative expert interviews and deductive-inductive content analysis.
Excerpt from the Book
Humour and the sense of humour
When defining humour it appears to be important to briefly explore its etymological origin and history. The word humour derived from the Latin language and originally referred to each of the four main fluids in the body: blood, phlegm, yellow bile (choler) and black bile (melancholy). These liquids were thought to determine a person’s physical and mental qualities. Thus, in the English language humour relates to a persons´ mood as well. In contrast, a persons´ sense of humour is understood as the ability to understand and appreciate humour (HUMOUR, 2013). Moreover, the Oxford English Dictionary defines humour as “that quality of action, speech, or writing which excites amusement; oddity, jocularity, facetiousness, comicality, fun” (SIMPSON & WEINER, 1989, p. 486). This leads to the following distinction: research discourses in general distinct between humour as a phenomenon (coping stress, mating success, health etc.) and the sense of humour as a person’s character trait (RUCH, 2007). The present study will focus on humour as a phenomenon.
Regarding humour as a phenomenon, MARTIN (2007a) understands humour as a social phenomenon. From a psychological perspective four essential components of the humour process can be distinguished: a social context, a cognitive-perceptual process, an emotional response and the vocal-behavioural expression of laughter.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the role of humour in daily life and its therapeutic potential, outlining the research motivation to explore humour's effectiveness in cross-cultural counselling.
CHAPTER 2: SELECTED THEORETICAL BASICS ON HUMOUR: This section provides a foundation for the study by defining humour, distinguishing it from the "sense of humour," and outlining its communicational, social, and psychological functions.
CHAPTER 3: STUDY ON TRANSCULTURAL HUMOUR: This core chapter presents the methodology, the expert interview process, the data collection, and the comprehensive results and discussion regarding the existence and application of transcultural humour in professional settings.
Keywords
transcultural humour, Intercultural Coaching, Intercultural Training, qualitative research, expert interview, humour functions, social management, cross-cultural communication, common ground, psychological coping, culture, content analysis, transculturalism, group bonding, communication strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on researching "transcultural humour" within the settings of Intercultural Coaching and Intercultural Training, exploring how it can be used by professionals to bridge cultural differences.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the communicative and psychological functions of humour, the role of context in intercultural interactions, and the shift in perspective from strictly intercultural (focus on differences) to transcultural (focus on shared human common ground).
What is the primary objective of the research?
The objective is to validate the existence of transcultural humour based on expert experiences and to generate practical information on its criteria, functions, and application strategies in counselling.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The study employs a qualitative research design, specifically using written expert interviews with eleven intercultural coaches and trainers, followed by qualitative content analysis as defined by Mayring.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body details the theoretical basics of humour, the methodology of the conducted study, the practical implementation of the interviews, and a thorough analysis of the gathered findings, ultimately validating the research hypotheses.
Which terms best characterize this study?
The work is characterized by terms such as transcultural humour, Intercultural Coaching, Intercultural Training, qualitative analysis, and common ground.
How do experts define the "transcultural" aspect of this humour?
Experts define it as humour that relies on a common point of reference or universal human experience, which allows it to transcend specific cultural frames and be understood by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
What is the significance of the "common point of reference" mentioned in the study?
This is identified as a crucial criterion for transcultural humour; it enables individuals to connect or laugh about a situation because they share a fundamental human experience, even when they do not share the same cultural background.
- Citation du texte
- Diplom-Kommunikationspsychologin Alexandra Mietusch (Auteur), 2013, Humour across cultures. Research on transcultural humour in intercultural coaching and training settings, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/309544
