Abstract
Independent groups of 7-yr.-old children listened through headphones to humorous material in dyadic conditions and when alone. Members of a dyad were of like-sex. Ss' companions were trained confederates who reacted according to pre-recorded on-line directions received through headphones. Increments in the companion's mirth augmented Ss' laughter, smiling and looking at the companion's face. The companion's facilitative influences were not reduced when they were thought to be listening to different humorous recordings. There was a significant relationship between humor-ratings and amount of time spent laughing, and Ss expected companions to rate the material as funnier when the latter displayed more mirth. There were no sex differences or interaction effects.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.