The Role of Humor in Work Group Dynamics in Times of Crisis

Abstract

Humor is a key indicator of the health of work groups, including during times of crisis. Moreover, studies of newly formed groups show that the type of humor used can change as members of a group get to know one another and form bonds. Yet in the context of a relatively established work group, can the nature of the group’s humor evolve in response to a crisis? We address this question in the context of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), examining whether the FOMC was able to pivot its use of humor following the 2007 financial crash. As hypothesized, we find a post-crash increase in “affiliative” humor in general, and “playful banter” specifically, indicating effective group dynamics among members (which bodes well for the global economy). The FOMC thus offers evidence that established work groups can use humor as a dynamic mechanism for adapting to new circumstances.