Humor and Aging

ContributorsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. Theory 1. Humor as a Data Base for the Study of Aging Introduction Examining Humor and Aging Research and Theory on Humor and Aging Summary and Conclusions References 2. Humor across the Life Span: Sources of Developmental Change and Individual Differences Introduction Sources of General Developmental Change Sources of Individual Differences Conclusions References 3. Theoretical and Functional Perspectives on the Development of Humor during Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence Introduction The Functions of Humor for Human Development Theoretical Perspectives of Humor Conclusion References 4. Humor, Physiology, and the Aging Process Introduction Problems Associated with the Aging Process The Special Roles of Humor Physiology in the Aging Process Implications of Findings in Humor Physiology Conclusion ReferencesPart II. Perspectives 5. Attitudes toward Aging Shown by Humor: A Review Introduction Content Analyses of Jokes The Debate over Methods and Meaning Content Analyses of Cartoons Jokes by the Aged Functions of Humor about Aging Future Research Conclusions References 6. Timing: The Significant Common Variable in Both Humor and Aging Introduction Psychological Timing Social Timing Selected Intraindividual Age-Related Temporal Changes That Could Be Related to Humor Behaviors Off-Timing, Timelessness, and Cohortcentricity in Humor Summary Conclusions References 7. Over the Miles: Coping, Communicating, and Commiserating through Age-Theme Greeting Cards Introduction Humor as a Coping Mechanism Responses to Age-Theme Birthday Cards Results Discussion References 8. The Last Minority: Humor, Old Age, and Marginal Identity Introduction Ethnic Humor Humor and Aging The Power of Marginal Identity ReferencesPart III. Death and Dying 9. Humor and the Death System: An Investigation of Funeral Directors Introduction Review of Literature Methodology Results Discussion Conclusions References 10. Hopi Ritual Clowns and Values in the Hopi Life Span Introduction The Hopi People Hopi Ritual Clowns and Clowning Hopi Responses to the Clowns Functions of the Clowns Clowns and the Hopi Life Span ReferencesPart IV. Brief Empirical Studies of Humor Across the Life Span 11. Humor and Aging in Children's Picture Books: Is the Joke on Grandpa? Introduction Method Results Discussion Appendix: Books Analyzed References 12. Male-Female Long-Term Relationships as a Source of Humor Introduction Cartoon Humor and Social Structures Method Content Analysis Conclusions References 13. The Effect of Humor on the Recovery Rate of Cataract Patients: A Pilot Study Introduction The Functions of Humor Purpose Method Presentation of Findings References 14. Generational Differences in Humor and Correlates of Humor Development Introduction Study 1: Undergraduate Students Study 2: Elderly Women Generation Differences in Humor General Discussion References 15. Performers' Views of Humor and Aging Introduction Method Subjects Results Performers' Views of Humor and Aging Discussion References 16.