Laughter can signify intimacy but can also mask power dynamics. Benign humor styles like light teasing are viewed positively, while injurious humor styles such as sarcasm are perceived negatively. Humor may reflect deeper personality traits, with those using sarcasm often scoring higher on Machiavellianism. Passive contempt in humor, appearing as innocent teasing, can undermine relationship safety. Continuous joking about sensitive topics, despite expressed discomfort, is a sign of hidden hostility, indicating a need for awareness of how humor impacts perceptions of trust and emotional safety in relationships.
Those who use sarcasm, irony, or cynicism are more likely to score high on Machiavellianism and psychopathy, indicating a connection between certain humor styles and personality traits.
People who leaned on injurious humor styles, such as sarcasm, ridicule, or self-deprecating jokes, were perceived less favorably, impacting their likability and emotional safety.
Using passive contempt in humor is a form of hidden hostility that can chip away at the safety of relationships, often disguised as harmless jokes.
Humor can be a tool for subtly establishing dominance, with certain humor styles reflecting underlying power dynamics in relationships.
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