It is generally acknowledged that gender stereotypes have hindered the development and recognition of women's humor. In the face of rapid expansion of opportunities for women in the comedy field, previous social science analyses may be obsolete. The present researcher assessed response to male and female comedians in the mid-1970s and again in the early 1980s. Comparison of results revealed considerable change in contemporary evaluations of women comedians, whose ratings now equal those of male comics. As both men and women showed enhanced appreciation for comedians of their own gender, it is suggested that reference groups and social perception provide a basis for understanding the role exerted on humor appreciation by gender.
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