Humor and Laughter - This page showcases resources that explore the benefits of humor and laughter for mental health.
Explore a carefully selected collection of print books that provides in-depth insights and comprehensive information on mental health topics. Find more books using the Catalog tab on the library homepage.
Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile
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Print book and eBook availability - Everybody wants it. But what exactly is happiness?The pursuit of happiness has been recognized by everyone from poets to politicians as what makes the world go round. The world's largest and fastest-growing industries - alcohol, pharmaceuticals, mind altering drugs, self-help books, counselling, travel and tourism - all profit heavily from ourintent to become completely happy with our lives.In the first comprehensive book to address this most basic of human desires, Daniel Nettle explores why we want to be happy, how we assess our levels of happiness, and the different ways that happiness is interpreted in different cultures. Using statistical information from the National ChildDevelopment Study, a project that has collected social and emotional data from thousands of people since 1958, Nettle shows the ways in which definitions and sources of happiness have changed over time.
Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.)
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WALL STREET JOURNAL, LOS ANGELES TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER * Anyone--even you!--can learn how to harness the power of humor in business (and life), based on the popular class at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Don't miss the authors' TED Talk, "Why great leaders take humor seriously," online now. "The ultimate guide to using the magical power of funny as a tool for leadership and a force for good."--Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive We are living through a period of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval in both our personal and professional lives. So it should come as a surprise to exactly no one that trust, human connection, and mental well-being are all on the decline. This may seem like no laughing matter. Yet, the research shows that humor and laughter are among the most valuable tools we have at our disposal for strengthening bonds and relationships, diffusing stress and tension, boosting resilience, and performing when the stakes are high. That's why Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach the popular course Humor: Serious Business at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where they help some of the world's most hard-driving, blazer-wearing business minds infuse more humor and levity into their work and lives. In Humor, Seriously, they draw on findings by behavioral scientists, world-class comedians, and inspiring business leaders to reveal how humor works and--more important--how you can use more of it, better. Aaker and Bagdonas unpack the theory and application of humor: what makes something funny, how to mine your life for material, and simple ways to identify and leverage your unique humor style. They show how to use humor to rebuild vital connections; appear more confident, competent, and authentic at work; and foster cultures where levity and creativity can thrive. President Dwight David Eisenhower once said, "A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done." If Dwight David Eisenhower, the second least naturally funny president (after Franklin Pierce), thought humor was necessary to win wars, build highways, and warn against the military-industrial complex, then you might consider learning it too.
Humor: Emotional Aspects, Role in Social Interactions and Health Effects
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Expression of humor begins at an early age in humans and it arises from both cognitive and social-emotional developmental origins. This book presents research on the emotional aspects, role in social interaction, and the health effects of humor. Chapter One begins with a discussion on social-emotional and cognitive aspects of humor, and suggests that the interactions among these developmental factors provide impetus for the expression and appreciation of humor, even during early childhood. Chapter Two supports the Theory of the Absurd and the Empowerment theory as a framework of unfolding the clowning behaviors of a kindergartener and provides a positive way of considering clowning during the early childhood years highlighting its importance to play and social empowerment. Chapter Three studies the impact of humor of closeness to neighbors. Chapter Four aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the fields of social cognition, identity, and humor within adolescence. Chapter Five explores some of the ways that humor may influence workplace health and well-being, while also addressing some of the problematic aspects of humor use. Chapter Six explores areas of healthcare where the deployment of humor or response to patient-initiated humor and/or laughter by a health profession would be considered inappropriate by their peers and/or their patient and/or the patients' family and friends. Chapter Seven analyses instances of a specific kind of humor that has been identified as jocular mockery because of its frequent occurrence in intimate and close relationships among friends.
An Introduction to the Psychology of Humor
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An Introduction to the Psychology of Humor provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of psychologists' research on humor. Drawing on research from a variety of psychological perspectives, from cognitive and biological to social and developmental, the book explores factors that affect our detection, comprehension, liking, and use of humor. Throughout the book, theories and paradigms of humor are explored, with each chapter dedicated to a distinct field of psychological research. Covering topics including humor development in children and older adults, humor's effectiveness in advertisements, cross-cultural psychology and humor's functions in the workplace, the book addresses the challenges psychologists face in defining and studying humor despite it being a universal and often daily experience. Featuring a wealth of student-friendly features, including learning objectives and classroom activities, An Introduction to the Psychology of Humor is an essential read for all students of humor.
Discover a range of articles from reputable sources that cover current research and practical advice on mental health issues. Find more articles using OneSearch on the library homepage. On the result page, limit to magazine and academic journal articles under Source Types in the left column.
Access these high-quality resources purchased by the library for academic use. For additional streaming videos, explore our library's collection of databases, which provide access to a wide range of educational and entertainment content across various subjects.
Explore these openly available video resources selected to enrich your understanding and support your mental health journey.
The Link Between Happiness and A Sense of Humor | Arthur Brooks
