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Sexist humour and social identity: The role of sexist humour in men’s ingroup cohesion, sexual harassment, rape proclivity and victim blame

Thomae, Manuela, Pina, Afroditi (2015) Sexist humour and social identity: The role of sexist humour in men’s ingroup cohesion, sexual harassment, rape proclivity and victim blame. Humor, 28 (2). ISSN 0933-1719. E-ISSN 1613-3722. (doi:10.1515/humor-2015-0023) (KAR id:44746)

Abstract

Jokes have been recognised as ways in which negative attitudes and prejudice can be communicated and enacted in hidden ways (e.g., Allport 1954; Freud 2004 [1905]). In this paper, we review the existing literature on the functions and effects of sexist humour, using Martineau’s (1972) model on the social functions of humour as well as Tajfel and Turner’s (2004 [1986]) Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Turner et al.’s (1987) Self Categorisation Theory. Within these frameworks, we particularly focus on sex as an intergroup context and on the way sexist humour functions to a) enhance male ingroup cohesion (sexist humour as a predictor) b) serves as a form of sexual harassment (sexist humour as an outcome) and c) amplifies self-reported rape proclivity and victim blame (sexist humour as a moderator). The paper concludes by highlighting gaps in the existing literature and providing directions for future research.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1515/humor-2015-0023
Uncontrolled keywords: Sexist humour, social identity approach, ingroup cohesion, sexual harassment, rape proclivity, victim blame
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Afroditi Pina
Date Deposited: 17 Nov 2014 19:33 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 12:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/44746 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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