I am an experimental social psychologist with a variety of research interests. In particular, I am interested in questions about the role of humor in social interactions.

Because humor is an inherently social activity, humor presents countless questions of social psychological importance and relevance. The research of my lab has been dedicated to addressing such questions. I consider any such question important and “fair game” to chase down through scientific investigation.

Humor functions as a double-edged sword in social relationships. It has a "dark side" and a "light side." On the dark side, disparagement humor—humor that denigrates—can promote discrimination against targeted groups as well as experiences of objectification and identity threat among targeted by such humor. Some of the "dark side" questions that my students and I address relate to:

(a) Disparagement humor as a releaser of prejudice,
(b) Sexist humor and self-objectification among women,
(c) Sexist humor and stereotype threat among women, and
(d) Sexist humor and women’s social influence

On the light side, humor is instrumental in coping with stress, and promoting happiness. Some of the "light side" questions students could address relate to:

(a) Humor and coping with stressful events, and
(b) The relationship between personality, humor styles and happiness