College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-05 21:03:43
Major
Psychology
Honors Course
498
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2022
Abstract
Cognitive distortion is an error in thinking believed to increase susceptibility to depression (Burns, 1980; Dozois & Beck, 2008). Research shows Affiliative and Self-Enhancing humor styles are associated with less cognitive distortion, while Aggressive and Self-Defeating humor styles are associated with greater cognitive distortion (Rnic et al., 2016). The current study examines those relationships and extends the research by examining whether coping humor and self-confidence relate to humor styles and cognitive distortion. 210 college students took the Humor Styles Questionnaire, the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire, the Coping Humor Scale, and the Internal and External Self-Confidence Scales. The maladaptive humor styles were associated with cognitive distortion, but the adaptive humor styles had no relationship. Self-confidence was related to lower cognitive distortion and lower Self-Defeating humor. The results implied that coping humor may have no role in participants’ cognitive distortion, self-confidence, or humor style. Participants scored higher on the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire in comparison with participants from a previous study possibly due to being in a pandemic where there are unprecedented levels of stress. Future studies could look for causal relationships, which could enable psychologists to identify what is helping and hindering dysfunctional thinking styles and design interventions/therapy to address distorted thinking.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Jennifer Tehan Stanley
First Reader
Ginelle Wolfe
Second Reader
Dr. Charles Waehler
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Charles Waehler
Recommended Citation
Dudones, Emma, "The Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions, Humor Styles, Coping Humor, and Self-Confidence" (2022). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1508.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1508