Abstract: In this research, we seek to provide effective message strategies to communicate stigma associated health issues such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), by exploring the roles of humor, STD information, and objective HPV knowledge. Conducted with a 2 (Humor: no vs. yes) x 2 (STD information: no vs. yes) between-subjects experiment with objective HPV knowledge as a measured moderator, findings suggested that for the lower HPV knowledge subjects, the humor ads produced higher attention to the ad, more favorable ad attitudes (Aad), and greater behavioral intention to seek HPV prevention and treatment than the no-humor ads when there is no STD information. However, when STD information was present, for the lower HPV knowledge individuals, the no-humor ads produced greater attention and more positive Aad than the humor ads. Humor and STD information in the ads did not affect higher HPV knowledge individuals. Implications for theory as well as practice are discussed.
Tag: humor
Are you JOKING??? Humor in science communication research and practice
Abstract: Scientists have long incorporated humor into their communication, whether it be in informal presentations or peer-reviewed journal articles. Though it seems evident that humor could make stodgy scientific writing more engaging and fun, where is the scientific evidence that it actually empowers science communication? In this session we will discuss research on the use of humor in scientific publications, talk about the implications and caveats of humor use, discuss examples of such use, and share experience into the benefits of using humor in scientific communication.
Following science on social media: The effects of humor and source likability
Abstract: Science communicators have been encouraged to use humor in their online engagement efforts. Yet, humor’s effectiveness for engaging people with science remains an open question. We report the results of an experiment designed to elicit varied levels of mirth in respondents, which was positively associated with perceived likability of the communicator and motivation to follow more science on social media. Furthermore, mirth and perceived likability serially mediated the effect of the experimental manipulation on motivation and factual science knowledge served as a moderator. This indicates that, while humor might be an effective means of reaching audiences, downstream effects are likely to vary depending on individuals’ knowledge. Paper at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0963662520986942
Comedic violence in advertising: Cultural third-person effects among U.S., Korean, and Croatian consumers
Abstract: Humor is a popular appeal used in global advertising and with the growing use of comedic violence ads in the U.S., it is a worthwhile endeavor to see whether comedic violence ads by U.S. brands could travel globally. This research conducted three studies in three countries, chosen for their distinctively different cultural tendencies and market potential: the U.S., Korea, and Croatia. Across the studies it was found that (1) individuals in the U.S. used aggressive humor in daily life more than Koreans or Croatians, (2) U.S. had higher perceived humor and ad attitudes toward the comedic violence ad than in Korea or Croatia, and (3) U.S. individuals found the comedic violence ad funnier for themselves than for others in different cultures while Koreans thought the ad was less funny for themselves than for others in different cultures. Croatians did not have response differences between self vs. others. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
The science of #scicomm: On emotion and humor.
Abstract: Emotional appeals are encouraged when engaging with public audiences. Yet, we lack evidence of the effectiveness of using such appeals in science communication. Here we present current research on emotion and humor in online science communication. This presentation will provide an overall summary of current research in the science of science communication, knowledge about how to use humor when communicating science, and a better understanding of the effect of emotion and humor on public attitudes toward science.
The effect of science comedy on perceptions of scientists and scientific messages.
Abstract: Humor is an important conduit for public engagement with science that is often recommended for scientists looking to conduct communication activities despite relatively little empirical evidence demonstrating its effectiveness. Here, we examine the social environment of a joke through a two-condition experimental design that manipulates the presence or absence of audience laughter. Specifically, we examine how perceived humor from viewing a video clip of a science comedian embedded in an online survey can have downstream effects on whether people view comedy as a valid source of scientific information. We found that respondents who perceived more humor in the video clip (i.e., those in the condition with audience laughter) had more positive views about comedy as a valid source of scientific information. Interestingly, this relationship was mediated by perceived expertise, not likability, of the scientist engaging in comedy.
Laughing with science: The influence of audience approval on engagement.
Abstract: While there is mounting evidence that humor can be an effective means of engaging publics, much remains to be learned about the contextual factors that shape how audiences receive and process humorous scientific content. Analyzing data from a controlled experiment, this study explores the differential impact of exposure to stand-up comedy featuring a scientist that generates considerable laughter from the audience vs. stand-up comedy lacking audience reaction. Among the key findings, audience laughter served to heighten the affective response of viewers, and affective response was positively linked to two forms of audience engagement with science.
How attributes of humorous scientific messages predict engagement on Twitter and Instagram
Abstract: The use of humor is increasingly advocated as a means of enhancing the effectiveness and visibility of science messages on social media. However, the influence of humorous scientific content on user engagement is empirically unknown. The contribution of this study is threefold. First, we conduct a content analysis of humorous scientific posts on Twitter and Instagram to shed light on the poster qualities (number of followers and number of accounts following), technical attributes (presence of emojis and visuals, and number of hashtags), and content characteristics (presence of message purposes and humor types). Second, using regression models, we examine how these poster and message attributes are associated with multi-dimensional engagement with the posts in the form of liking, retweeting, and commenting. And third, this study investigates subtypes of humor (e.g., satire, wordplay, and anthropomorphism) embedded in funny scientific messages and their effects on engagement. These findings have implications for science communication practices on social media.
Laughing with Science: The influence of audience approval on engagement
Abstract: While there is mounting evidence that humor can be an effective means of engaging publics, much remains to be learned about the contextual factors that shape how audiences receive and process humorous scientific content. Analyzing data from a controlled experiment (N = 217), this study explores the differential impact of exposure to stand-up comedy featuring a scientist that generates considerable laughter from the audience vs. stand-up comedy lacking audience reaction. Among the key findings, audience laughter served to heighten the affective response of viewers, and affective response was positively linked to two forms of audience engagement with science.
Starring in Your Own Snapchat Advertisement: Influence of Self-Brand Congruity, Self-Referencing and Perceived Humor on Brand Attitude and Purchase Intention of Advertised Brands
Abstract: Snapchat geofilter advertisements use augmented reality (AR) technology to place consumers in photographs embellished with branded content. This study examined the joint influence of self-brand congruity, self-referencing and perceived humor in these self-endorsed geofilter brand advertisements on consumers’ brand-related preferences. Results revealed that self-brand congruity, self-referencing and perceived humor exerted significant main effects on consumers’ post-use brand attitude and purchase intention. Self-brand congruity also significantly interacted with self-referencing and perceived humor to affect brand attitude and purchase intention, while self-referencing significantly interacted with perceived humor to affect purchase intention, but not brand attitude. Theoretical and managerial implications of the research are discussed.