Gender Differences in Workplace Humor Among Lecturers: Study on Whatsapp Group(S)

  • Authors

    • Ira Mirawati
    • Asep Suryana
    • Mien Hidayat
    • Herlina Agustin
    2018-05-22
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i2.29.13987
  • GenderDifferences, WhatsAppGroup, Lecturer, Humor

  • Abstract

    Humor is an important part of workplace communication. Among lecturers, an online chatting group, such as WhatsApp group, is a scene of humor. As well as real-world humor, gender relations also shape humor in this virtual world. This study investigated gender differences in workplace humor among lecturers on WhatsApp group(s), including the topics, the message forms, and the participants’ feelings. The subjects were 15 male and 15 female lecturers from three Universities in West Java, Indonesia. The findings of this phenomenology research revealed that humor topic is the first difference. Almost all topics are applicable for male lecturers, and the most frequent ones are their colleague weaknesses, either physical or nonphysical, and sexual content. Female lecturers scarcely initiate humor talk, but they can join it. Being the topic of humor, 73% of female lecturers feel victimized, but only 60% of male lecturers feel the same way. There are 40% male lecturers who feel proud to be the object of humor, because it increases their personal attractiveness and relations as well as their popularity. Female lecturers can freely laugh at her male colleagues’ weaknesses, but not vice versa.

     

     

  • References

    1. [1] Goldstein JH, McGee PE. The Psyschology of Humor: Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Issues. New York: Academic Press; 1972.

      [2] Berger AA. An Anatomy of Humor. New Jersey: Transactions Publisher; 1993.

      [3] Cooper CD. Elucidating the bonds of workplace humor: A relational process model. Human Relations. 2008;61 (8):1087-115.

      [4] Oring E. Jokes and Their Relation. Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky; 1992.

      [5] Bryant J, Comisky PW, Crane JS, Zillmant D. Relationship Between College Teachers' Use of Humor in the Classroom and Students' Evaluations of Their Teachers. Journal of Educational Psychology. 1980;72(4):511-9.

      [6] Baym N, Tamuz O, Teevan J, Dumais S, Kalai A, editors. OMG UR Funny! Computer-Aided Humor with an Application to Chat. The Sixth International Conference on Computational Creativity; 2015 June 29 - July 2; Utah.

      [7] Batthi R, Ahmad MN, Khan SA. Trends Towards Internet Usage Among College Teachers Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 2014.

      [8] Purcell K, Heaps A, Buchanan J, Fiedrich L. How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms. February 28 [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2017 April 30]. Available from: http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media/Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeachersandTechnologywithmethodology_PDF.pdf.

      [9] Nguyen B. Indonesia is fastest growing country for internet use - report2017 [cited 2017 April 30]. Available from: https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/indonesia/english/159593-internet-social-media-statistics.

      [10] Pribadi BA. Ketersediaan Dan Pemanfaatan Media Dan Teknologi Pembelajaran Di Perguruan Tinggi (Availability And Utilization Of Media And Learning Technology In Higher Education) 2006 [cited 2017 May 1]. Available from: http://pk.ut.ac.id/jp/52sept04/52benny.htm.

      [11] Weiser EB. Gender Differences in Internet Use Patterns and Internet Application Preferences: A Two-Sample Comparison. cyberpsych ology & Behavior. 2000;3(2):167-78.

      [12] Cooper CD. Just Joking Around? Employee Humor Expression As An Ingratiatory Behavior. Academy of Management Review. 2005;30(4):765-76.

      [13] Cantor JR. What is Funny to Whom?. Journal of Communication. Journal of Communication. 1976;26(3):164-72.

      [14] Hemmasi M, Graf AL, Russ GS. Gender-Related Jokes in the Workplace: Sexual Humor or Sexual Harassment? Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 1994;24(12).

      [15] Cresswell JW. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design, Choosing. Among Five Traditions. California: Sage Publication; 1998.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Mirawati, I., Suryana, A., Hidayat, M., & Agustin, H. (2018). Gender Differences in Workplace Humor Among Lecturers: Study on Whatsapp Group(S). International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(2.29), 628-632. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i2.29.13987

    Received date: 2018-06-10

    Accepted date: 2018-06-10

    Published date: 2018-05-22