Children who use self-deprecating humour among their peers are more likely to be bullied, researchers say.
Oh, Lordy, more “researchers”. Can’t we chop off their funding and let them wither away?
I was bullied at school. I learned to fight back. Bullies who find themselves winded on their back following an ippon seio-nage tend to think twice about a second attempt. I also have a self-deprecating humour. I still have it. It lightens the tone and as a trainer, I find it breaks the ice in the classroom. It’s useful and people find it amusing. Like all humour, the trick is in the deft touch.
But the bad type of humour associated with bullying victims is “self-defeating”, which is where children disparage themselves excessively and make themselves the butt of their own jokes.
It is not “bad humour”, it is another type of humour. If this is the only type of humour being expressed, then parents and teachers might need to pay attention in case it is an indicator of something going on, but to label it in itself as bad it wrong headed.
The researchers want to see if children can be taught to change their style of humour as part of avoiding this negative way of labelling themselves.
Ah, yes, they must all be good little drones with the right kind of humour. None of that “bad” humour that is unapproved.
“What our study shows is that humour clearly plays an important role in how children interact with one another and that children who use humour to make fun of themselves are at more risk of being bullied,” says Dr Fox.
“We know that this negative use of humour is a nurtured behaviour, influenced by a child’s social environment rather than genetics.”
And this kind of rampant bollocks is why psychology is nothing more than quackery. I have always had this type of humor, just as I have always had a very dry humour. It’s part of what I am and I am happy with it. It is nothing to do with being bullied at school, because I learned how to deal effectively with it decades ago and have long since moved on. I do, however, enjoy the occasional self-targeted one-liner. It’s who I am and nothing to do with my environment.
So, yes, time to turn off the funding and send these quacks out to get real jobs. I suggest stacking shelves in Sainsbury’s. At least then, they will be doing something useful.
“I do, however, enjoy the occasional self-targeted one-liner. It’s who I am and nothing to do with my environment.” … well said. I do the same it diffuses situations and makes laughter the point rather than anything else. Well written.
Yes i too use self deprecating humour, i always thought it was one of our great British traditions to poke fun at oneself and realise one’s own shortcomings, also helps one not to take oneself too seriously.
Ah but that means that the propaganda and social engineering isn’t working….there can only be winners, there must be nothing left of Britain and its charming faulted muddled unique and quite potty ways that have sustained us through everything with a wry grin.
These researchers and 99% of mainstream politicians celebs and experts should try it sometime, for they spend far too much time up their own backsides than is good for us.
Regards
Judd
It is one of our great – and quirky – traditions and I despise the social engineers who would eradicate it.
The problem is; strip someone, anyone of this defensive type of humour, and you leave them totally at the mercy of every bullying toerag. Especially the ones who like to screw with people’s heads and humiliate others.
I’ve met idiots of this ilk who have said to me; “Oh don’t be so defensive!”, and my now habitual response is “Well quit attacking me then.”
Yes.
Has its uses if you are a teacher (As I was, once)
Lesson on health to Vth-formers (whatever that is now called “year $x” … smoking …
Child: “Do you smoke, Sir?”
Me: “No – pause – the fire-risk’s too great” [ I have a large, long beard ]