Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Reader 1

Jennifer Ma

Reader 2

Egamaria Alacam

Abstract

Disparagement humor is characterized by the attribution of negative stereotypes to social groups within a joke. The proposed study will focus on paralleled disparagement humor (PDH), which uses an unmarginalized target group, while incorporating parallels to real marginalized groups. Using a 2x3 experimental design, the study will establish effects of engaging with anti-AI humor that parallels anti-Black disparagement humor. In the proposed study, participants will be exposed to humor stimuli that manipulates humor type and joke target groups. The levels of humor type will be disparagement humor, paralleled disparagement humor, and non-humorous disparagement. To further explore the effects of humor on displays of racism and sexism, the target groups of the jokes will be Black people and women. Humor type is expected to have a significant main effect on discrimination, such that participants that are exposed to disparagement humor or paralleled disparagement humor will discriminate against the target group more than non-humorous groups. Additionally, a significant simple effect is predicted within paralleled disparagement humor, where racist humor stimuli will elicit more discrimination than sexist humor stimuli. Through evaluating the extent to which disparagement humor affects prejudice expression, greater critical thinking during joke engagement may be promoted.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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