Graduation Year
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Granting Department
Mass Communications
Major Professor
Scott Liu, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Randy Miller, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Roxanne Watson, Ph.D.
Keywords
humor, contact hypothesis, para-social, homosexual acceptance, distraction
Abstract
Data collected from a survey questionnaire disseminated to college students was used to examine the relationship between humor in the mass media on audience attitude. This research study attempted to link the comedic nature of media with a heightened tolerance toward unpopular messages by looking specifically at the show Will & Grace. Results supported the hypothesized positive relationship between humor on attitudes toward the show, as well as attitudes toward real life homosexuals. In addition, distraction and interpersonal communication served as mediators between humor and attitudes. Results supported positive relationships between humor and both distraction and interpersonal communication, and supported the mediated path involving distraction. But the interpersonal communication mediated path was negative. Results, implications, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Scholar Commons Citation
Cribbs, Heather, "Humor and Attitude Toward Homosexuals: The Case of Will & Grace" (2009). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/1915
