From laughter to action: An investigation into the effects of affiliative comedy

Research on humour and prejudice has predominantly focused on the use of negative, or disparaging humour and its prejudice enhancing effects. This study investigated whether a positive ‘affiliative’ humour, could elicit a reduction in prejudice as measured by attitudes, system justification beliefs and engagement in collective action in favour of transgender individuals. Participants (N=85) were randomly assigned to the humour or control condition before and after which data were collected measuring their levels of prejudice and beliefs. In the humour condition participants were exposed to stand-up comedy performed by transgender comedians. Results showed that brief exposure to humour had no significant effect on prejudice and system justification beliefs. However, participants who reported finding the humour funny and those who reported less discomfort were significantly more willing to engage in collective action to support the transgender community compared to those in the control condition.