Papers by René Proyer (page not updated)
The Values-inAction classification distinguishes six core virtues and 24 strengths. As the assign... more The Values-inAction classification distinguishes six core virtues and 24 strengths. As the assignment of the strengths to the virtues was done on theoretical grounds it still needs empirical verification. As an alternative to factor analytic investigations the present study utilizes expert judgments. In a pilot study the conceptual overlap among five sources of knowledge (strength's name including synonyms, short definitions, brief descriptions, longer theoretical elaborations, and item content) about a particular strength was examined. The results show that the five sources converged quite well, with the short definitions and the items being slightly different from the other. All strengths exceeded a cutoff value but the convergence was much better for some strengths (e.g., zest) than for others (e.g., perspective). In the main study 70 experts (from psychology, philosophy, theology, etc.) and 41 laypersons rated how prototypical the strengths are for each of the six virtues. The results showed that 10 were very good markers for their virtues, nine were good markers, four were acceptable markers, and only one strength failed to reach the cutoff score for its assigned virtue. However, strengths were often markers for two or even three virtues, and occasionally they marked the other virtue more strongly than the one they were assigned to. The virtue prototypicality ratings were slightly positively correlated with higher coefficients being found for justice and humanity. A factor analysis of the 24 strengths across the ratings yielded the six factors with an only slightly different composition of strengths and double loadings. It is proposed to adjust either the classification (by reassigning strengths and by allowing strengths to be subsumed under more than one virtue) or to change the definition of certain strengths so that they only exemplify one virtue. The results are discussed in the context of factor analytic attempts to verify the structural model.
In a paradigm facilitating smile misattribution, facial responses and ratings to contempt and joy... more In a paradigm facilitating smile misattribution, facial responses and ratings to contempt and joy were investigated in individuals
with or without gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at). Participants from two independent samples (N1 = 83, N2 = 50) rated
the intensity of eight emotions in 16 photos depicting joy, contempt, and different smiles. Facial responses were coded by
the Facial Action Coding System in the second study. Compared with non-fearful individuals, gelotophobes rated joy smiles
as less joyful and more contemptuous. Moreover, gelotophobes showed less facial joy and more contempt markers. The
contempt ratings were comparable between the two groups. Looking at the photos of smiles lifted the positive mood of nongelotophobes,
whereas gelotophobes did not experience an increase. We hypothesize that the interpretation bias of “joyful
faces hiding evil minds” (i.e., being also contemptuous) and exhibiting less joy facially may complicate social interactions for
gelotophobes and serve as a maintaining factor of gelotophobia.
Reading comprehension in adults is a rather neglected variable in the practice of psychological a... more Reading comprehension in adults is a rather neglected variable in the practice of psychological assessment. We propose a new screening instrument for adult reading comprehension based on a pragmatic definition of reading comprehension as the textual understanding of the text read. Using data from a calibration sample (n = 266) and a replication sample (n = 148) for cross validation, we tested the model fit for the 1-PL model (Rasch model; graphic model test, Anderson’s Condi-tional Likelihood Ratio test). Model fit was established and verified in the replication sample after the stepwise exclusion of three (out of 16) items. Correlations with a test for memory and the exter-nal criterion reading proficiency were in the expected direction. The comparison of a sub-group of putatively highly skilled readers (n = 59; University students and lecturers) and putatively low skilled readers (n = 122; participants undergoing psychological assessment for having their driving license reinstated after a ban) showed that a percent rank < 10 in the measure might indicate insuf-ficient reading skills for practical purposes. Pending further research, the instrument seems to be a useful instrument for the screening of reading comprehension skills in adults.
Background: Robust evidence exists that positive psychology interventions are effective in enhanc... more Background: Robust evidence exists that positive psychology interventions are effective in enhancing well-being and ameliorating depression. Comparatively little is known about the conditions under which they work best. Models describing characteristics that impact the effectiveness of positive
interventions typically contain features of the person, of the activity, and the fit between the two. This study focuses on indicators of the person × intervention fit in predicting happiness and depressive symptoms 3.5 years after
completion of the intervention. Methods: A sample of 165 women completed measures for happiness and depressive symptoms before and about 3.5 years after completion of a positive intervention (random assignment to one out of nine interventions, which were aggregated for the analyses). Four fit
indicators were assessed: Preference; continued practice; effort; and early reactivity. Results: Three out of four person × intervention fit indicators were positively related to happiness or negatively related to depression when controlled for the pretest scores. Together, they explained 6 per cent of the variance in happiness, and 10 per cent of the variance of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Most tested indicators of a person × intervention fit are robust predictors of happiness and depressive symptoms—even after 3.5 years. They might serve for an early estimation of the effectiveness of a positive intervention.
European Review of Applied Psychology, 2014
Introduction. – Little is known about what adults perceive as core functions of playfulness in th... more Introduction. – Little is known about what adults perceive as core functions of playfulness in their dailylife.
Objective. – To compile a list of perceived functions of playfulness from nominations of laypeople and totest the association of the productions with individual levels of playfulness as a personality trait.
Method. – Three hundred and twenty-four adults aged 18 to 62 (M = 31.6, SD = 11.5) listed perceivedfunctions of playfulness in five areas (leisure and work and when being with work colleagues, friends,and their partner) and completed a questionnaire for playfulness.
Results. – The entries were grouped into seven broader categories; namely, (1) well-being; (2) humor andlaughter; (3) mastery orientation; (4) creativity; (5) relationships; (6) coping strategies; and (7) copingwith situations. Women noted more functions than men (t(297) = 2.99, p < .01, d = 0.35) but there wereno gender differences in the playfulness scale. Individual levels of playfulness correlated only for menwith a greater number of functions, while it was uncorrelated in the sample of women.
Conclusion. – People see a broad range of functions for playfulness in their daily lives. This warrantsfurther investigation on potential benefits of adult playfulness.
Psychological Studies, 2014
Gelotophobia is defined as the fear of being laughed at. First empirical studies revealed that it... more Gelotophobia is defined as the fear of being laughed at. First empirical studies revealed that it is a valid and useful new concept. Furthermore, it was shown that it is of relevance among non-clinical groups and that it should be best conceptualized
as a one-dimensional individual differences phenomenon. The present study presents first empirical data on the fear of being laughed at in India (N=296). It describes the adaptation of an instrument for the subjective assessment of gelotophobia to Kannada. The translation yielded good psychometric properties and especially items referring to controlling oneself strongly in order not to attract negative attention and to appear ridiculous to other people yielded higher endorsements. Gelotophobia was not related to the age, sex, or marital status of the participants. More that one fourth of the participants (27.70 %) exceeded a cut-off score indicating at least a slight expression of gelotophobic symptoms. The results are discussed with respect to the current literature on the fear of being laughed at.
Current Psychology, 2014
It is hypothesized that playfulness in adults is positively associated with relationship satisfac... more It is hypothesized that playfulness in adults is positively associated with relationship satisfaction and that specific types of attachment and love are related with this trait. Findings, based on two samples of adults that are currently in a relationship (N=161 and 598), show that playfulness is positively associated with relationship satisfaction—albeit low in effect size. Playfulness shares about 17% overlapping variance with different types of love and attachment; particularly, Seduction, low Market Orientation, Attachment, and Love were predictive for playfulness. While gender differences only played a minor role it was shown that playfulness mediates about 5.7 % of the gender differences in the inclination to Sexuality. Overall, findings are in the expected direction. The discussion highlights the importance of considering multidimensional measures for playfulness and satisfaction and gives future research directions.
Aging & Mental Health, 2014
Objectives: Various positive psychology interventions have been experimentally tested, but only f... more Objectives: Various positive psychology interventions have been experimentally tested, but only few studies addressed the
effects of such activities in participants aged 50 and above.
Method: We tested the impact of four self-administered positive psychology interventions in an online setting (i.e., gratitude visit, three good things, three funny things, and using signature strengths in a new way) on happiness and depressive symptoms in comparison with a placebo control exercise (i.e., early memories). A total of 163 females aged 50– 79 tried the assigned interventions or the placebo control exercise for one week and completed measures on happiness and depressive symptoms at five times (pre- and post-test, 1, 3, and 6 months).
Results: Three out of the four interventions (i.e., gratitude visit, three good things, and using signature strengths in a new way) increased happiness, whereas two interventions (three funny things and using signature strengths in a new way) led to a reduction of depressive symptoms on at one post-measure.
Conclusion: Positive psychology interventions yield similar results for people aged 50 and above as for younger people. The dissemination of such interventions via the Internet offers a valuable opportunity for older age groups as well.
Humor: International Journal of Humor Research
Research on gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at) has come a long way since the first empir... more Research on gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at) has come a long way since the first empirical studies published in 2008. Based on a review of the findings on gelotophobia, its structure, causes and consequences, updates to the model are introduced emphasizing the context of the fear and its dynamic nature. More precisely, external and internal factors are seen to moderate the effects of initial events on gelotophobia, and a spiral nature in the development of the fear is assumed. It is highlighted that gelotophobia needs to be studied in the context of related variables (such as timidity, shame-proneness and social anxiety), and research should focus on the time span in which this fear is most prevalent. The relevance of gelotophobia for humor theory, research and practice is highlighted and new areas of research are introduced. Among the latter the role of gelotophobia at work and in relation to life trajectories is discussed.
Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie
Background. Playfulness is an understudied topic in adults and particularly among the elderly. Th... more Background. Playfulness is an understudied topic in adults and particularly among the elderly. Thus far, there is no large study on age-related changes in playfulness across the lifespan. Relations with different indicators of well-being have not yet been investigated in much detail either.
Participants and methods. In total, 4,100 adults completed online self-ratings on their playfulness, happiness, and Seligman’s three orientations to happiness (life of pleasure, engagement, and meaning).
Results. In a cross-sectional design, playfulness was stable across the life-course; variations in the mean scores were rather small (half a standard deviation). Yet participants < 40 yielded
the comparatively lowest scores. There were no gender differences. Playfulness was best predicted by the scale assessing the life of pleasure and was positively related to happiness.
Conclusion. Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.
Personality and Individual Differences
The primary aim of this study was testing the structure of adult playfulness in a joint analysis ... more The primary aim of this study was testing the structure of adult playfulness in a joint analysis of seventeen questionnaires and testing the relation of the factors with the big five personality traits. A sample of 244 adults completed the questionnaires and a five factorsolution fit the data best; i.e., (a) Humorousness; (b) Cheerfulness-Uninhibitedness; (c) Expressiveness; (d) Other-directedness; and (e) Intellectuality-Creativity. Correlation analyses (bivariate, canonical) and regression analyses indicated strong overlap of the broader personality factors and the Cheerfulness-Uninhibitedness-factor (extraversion and emotional
stability) as well as the Expressiveness-factor (extraversion). The study contributes towards a better understanding of the structure of playfulness in questionnaires developed for adults. Implications for future research are discussed.
The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied
"This study addresses the basic structure of playfulness in adults from a psycho-lexical approach... more "This study addresses the basic structure of playfulness in adults from a psycho-lexical approach and its relationship with the sense of humor. Using items derived from a corpus analysis of written accounts in the German language, five factors were derived (N = 195); i.e., (a) cheerful-engaged; (b) whimsical; (c) creative-loving; (d) intellectual; and (e) impulsive. Their contents strongly overlap in comparison with an earlier study using this approach.
However, the intellectual component was only low and the impulsive component was uncorrelated with two current measures of adult playfulness. The question arises as to whether these aspects exist only as components in the implicit psychological and linguistic theories. The sense of humor was most strongly related with the cheerful-engaged factor while some “humor skills” were particularly related to other factors; e.g., finding humor under stress with the intellectual component. This study helps toward a better understanding of the basic structure of playfulness in adults."
Archive for the Psychology of Religion 35 (2013) 213-231
The theologian Hugo Rahner argued that the homo ludens is a man of ‘Ernstheiterkeit’ (seriouschee... more The theologian Hugo Rahner argued that the homo ludens is a man of ‘Ernstheiterkeit’ (seriouscheerfulness), a person who can smile under tears but also recognizes the gravity in all earthly cheerfulness. !e primary aim of this study was to test the validity of this notion: Do homines ludentes exist? Two hundred sixty-three adult subjects were measured for (1) seriousness and cheerfulness and (2) playfulness. Results provided unequivocal support for Rahner’s thesis. Numerous subjects scored high in both seriousness and cheerfulness thus confirming the existence of homines ludentes. It was further found that these subjects were among those scoring highest in playfulness. Subjects scoring high in cheerfulness but low in seriousness were, however, even more closely associated with playfulness. The scores for homines ludentes did not differ from the rest of the subjects in the creative and dynamic facets of playfulness. The importance of developing empirical research to investigate hypotheses derived from non-scientifc concepts is discussed.
European Journal of Humour Research, Apr 2013
It was hypothesized that playfulness in adults relates positively to different indicators of subj... more It was hypothesized that playfulness in adults relates positively to different indicators of subjective but also physical well-being. A sample of 255 adults completed subjective measures of playfulness along with self-ratings for different facets of well-being and the endorsement to enjoyable activities. Adult playfulness demonstrated robust positive relations with life satisfaction and an inclination to enjoyable activities and an active way of life. There were also minor positive relations with physical fitness. Leading an active way of life partially mediated the relation between playfulness and life satisfaction. The study provides further evidence on the contribution of adult playfulness to different aspects of well-being.
The Journal of Positive Psychology (in press)
Character strengths were tested in relation to subjective (life satisfaction) and physical (self-... more Character strengths were tested in relation to subjective (life satisfaction) and physical (self-evaluated health and physical fitness) well-being (440 adults). Health-behaviors and the mediating role of health-behaviors in explaining the relationship between character and well-being were also considered. Emotional, intellectual strengths and 10 strengths of the heart were positively associated with life satisfaction and physical fitness. Emotional strengths correlated positively with the self-evaluation of feeling healthy. All strengths (except for modesty and religiousness) were related to health-behaviors; e.g. healthy eating and watching ones food consumption were associated with self-regulation and intellectual strengths. Health behaviors partially mediated the relation of broader strengths factors on subjective and physical well-being. The largest indirect effects were found for leading an active way of life. The 15 study suggests that there are positive relations between character strengths and subjective but also physical well-being. Furthermore, potential mechanisms, which might account for these relations (i.e. health-behaviors) are
assessed.
Motivation and Emotion (in press; doi:doi:10.1007/s11031-013-9342-9)
The present study aims to identify whether individuals’ with a fear of being laughed at (gelotoph... more The present study aims to identify whether individuals’ with a fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia), respond with less facially displayed joy (Duchenne display) generally towards enjoyable emotions or only those eliciting laughter. Forty participants (no vs. gelotophobia) described their feelings to scenarios prototypical for the 16 enjoyable emotions proposed by Ekman (Emotions revealed: recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life. Times Books, New York, 2003), while being unobtrusively filmed. Facial responses were coded using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS, Ekman et al. in Facial Action Coding System: a technique for the measurement of facial movement. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, 2002). The gelotophobes showed less facial expression of joy compared to the non-gelotophobes (Hypothesis 1) and this effect was stronger for frequency and intensity of Duchenne displays towards laughter-eliciting enjoyable emotions than for no laughter-eliciting enjoyable emotions (Hypothesis 2). Moreover, the no gelotophobia group responded more strongly to laughter-eliciting than to no laughter-eliciting enjoyable emotions. Individuals with marked gelotophobia showed the reverse pattern, displaying less joy in laughter-eliciting emotions which may impact on their social interaction, as communication may break down when positive emotion are not reciprocated.
The Journal of Positive Psychology (in press)
This paper addresses the question as to whether previously reported findings on a positive relati... more This paper addresses the question as to whether previously reported findings on a positive relation between character strengths, satisfaction with life and orientations to happiness can be replicated for peer-ratings of character strengths. A sample of 334 Swiss adults completed questionnaires and collected informant ratings by 634 peers. Self- and peer ratings converged well and suggest that, primarily: the strengths of hope, zest, and curiosity—but also gratitude and love—play key roles in the interplay of strengths and satisfaction with life. Peer-ratings of strengths also related positively with the endorsement of a pleasurable, engaged, and meaningful life. Further analyses show that the orientations to happiness predict satisfaction with life beyond self- and peer rated character strengths. There, the engaged life (i.e., endorsement of flow) was most relevant. This study supports earlier findings that argue for an important role of character strengths when describing the well-being of a person.
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Papers by René Proyer (page not updated)
with or without gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at). Participants from two independent samples (N1 = 83, N2 = 50) rated
the intensity of eight emotions in 16 photos depicting joy, contempt, and different smiles. Facial responses were coded by
the Facial Action Coding System in the second study. Compared with non-fearful individuals, gelotophobes rated joy smiles
as less joyful and more contemptuous. Moreover, gelotophobes showed less facial joy and more contempt markers. The
contempt ratings were comparable between the two groups. Looking at the photos of smiles lifted the positive mood of nongelotophobes,
whereas gelotophobes did not experience an increase. We hypothesize that the interpretation bias of “joyful
faces hiding evil minds” (i.e., being also contemptuous) and exhibiting less joy facially may complicate social interactions for
gelotophobes and serve as a maintaining factor of gelotophobia.
interventions typically contain features of the person, of the activity, and the fit between the two. This study focuses on indicators of the person × intervention fit in predicting happiness and depressive symptoms 3.5 years after
completion of the intervention. Methods: A sample of 165 women completed measures for happiness and depressive symptoms before and about 3.5 years after completion of a positive intervention (random assignment to one out of nine interventions, which were aggregated for the analyses). Four fit
indicators were assessed: Preference; continued practice; effort; and early reactivity. Results: Three out of four person × intervention fit indicators were positively related to happiness or negatively related to depression when controlled for the pretest scores. Together, they explained 6 per cent of the variance in happiness, and 10 per cent of the variance of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Most tested indicators of a person × intervention fit are robust predictors of happiness and depressive symptoms—even after 3.5 years. They might serve for an early estimation of the effectiveness of a positive intervention.
Objective. – To compile a list of perceived functions of playfulness from nominations of laypeople and totest the association of the productions with individual levels of playfulness as a personality trait.
Method. – Three hundred and twenty-four adults aged 18 to 62 (M = 31.6, SD = 11.5) listed perceivedfunctions of playfulness in five areas (leisure and work and when being with work colleagues, friends,and their partner) and completed a questionnaire for playfulness.
Results. – The entries were grouped into seven broader categories; namely, (1) well-being; (2) humor andlaughter; (3) mastery orientation; (4) creativity; (5) relationships; (6) coping strategies; and (7) copingwith situations. Women noted more functions than men (t(297) = 2.99, p < .01, d = 0.35) but there wereno gender differences in the playfulness scale. Individual levels of playfulness correlated only for menwith a greater number of functions, while it was uncorrelated in the sample of women.
Conclusion. – People see a broad range of functions for playfulness in their daily lives. This warrantsfurther investigation on potential benefits of adult playfulness.
as a one-dimensional individual differences phenomenon. The present study presents first empirical data on the fear of being laughed at in India (N=296). It describes the adaptation of an instrument for the subjective assessment of gelotophobia to Kannada. The translation yielded good psychometric properties and especially items referring to controlling oneself strongly in order not to attract negative attention and to appear ridiculous to other people yielded higher endorsements. Gelotophobia was not related to the age, sex, or marital status of the participants. More that one fourth of the participants (27.70 %) exceeded a cut-off score indicating at least a slight expression of gelotophobic symptoms. The results are discussed with respect to the current literature on the fear of being laughed at.
effects of such activities in participants aged 50 and above.
Method: We tested the impact of four self-administered positive psychology interventions in an online setting (i.e., gratitude visit, three good things, three funny things, and using signature strengths in a new way) on happiness and depressive symptoms in comparison with a placebo control exercise (i.e., early memories). A total of 163 females aged 50– 79 tried the assigned interventions or the placebo control exercise for one week and completed measures on happiness and depressive symptoms at five times (pre- and post-test, 1, 3, and 6 months).
Results: Three out of the four interventions (i.e., gratitude visit, three good things, and using signature strengths in a new way) increased happiness, whereas two interventions (three funny things and using signature strengths in a new way) led to a reduction of depressive symptoms on at one post-measure.
Conclusion: Positive psychology interventions yield similar results for people aged 50 and above as for younger people. The dissemination of such interventions via the Internet offers a valuable opportunity for older age groups as well.
Participants and methods. In total, 4,100 adults completed online self-ratings on their playfulness, happiness, and Seligman’s three orientations to happiness (life of pleasure, engagement, and meaning).
Results. In a cross-sectional design, playfulness was stable across the life-course; variations in the mean scores were rather small (half a standard deviation). Yet participants < 40 yielded
the comparatively lowest scores. There were no gender differences. Playfulness was best predicted by the scale assessing the life of pleasure and was positively related to happiness.
Conclusion. Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.
stability) as well as the Expressiveness-factor (extraversion). The study contributes towards a better understanding of the structure of playfulness in questionnaires developed for adults. Implications for future research are discussed.
However, the intellectual component was only low and the impulsive component was uncorrelated with two current measures of adult playfulness. The question arises as to whether these aspects exist only as components in the implicit psychological and linguistic theories. The sense of humor was most strongly related with the cheerful-engaged factor while some “humor skills” were particularly related to other factors; e.g., finding humor under stress with the intellectual component. This study helps toward a better understanding of the basic structure of playfulness in adults."
assessed.
with or without gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at). Participants from two independent samples (N1 = 83, N2 = 50) rated
the intensity of eight emotions in 16 photos depicting joy, contempt, and different smiles. Facial responses were coded by
the Facial Action Coding System in the second study. Compared with non-fearful individuals, gelotophobes rated joy smiles
as less joyful and more contemptuous. Moreover, gelotophobes showed less facial joy and more contempt markers. The
contempt ratings were comparable between the two groups. Looking at the photos of smiles lifted the positive mood of nongelotophobes,
whereas gelotophobes did not experience an increase. We hypothesize that the interpretation bias of “joyful
faces hiding evil minds” (i.e., being also contemptuous) and exhibiting less joy facially may complicate social interactions for
gelotophobes and serve as a maintaining factor of gelotophobia.
interventions typically contain features of the person, of the activity, and the fit between the two. This study focuses on indicators of the person × intervention fit in predicting happiness and depressive symptoms 3.5 years after
completion of the intervention. Methods: A sample of 165 women completed measures for happiness and depressive symptoms before and about 3.5 years after completion of a positive intervention (random assignment to one out of nine interventions, which were aggregated for the analyses). Four fit
indicators were assessed: Preference; continued practice; effort; and early reactivity. Results: Three out of four person × intervention fit indicators were positively related to happiness or negatively related to depression when controlled for the pretest scores. Together, they explained 6 per cent of the variance in happiness, and 10 per cent of the variance of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Most tested indicators of a person × intervention fit are robust predictors of happiness and depressive symptoms—even after 3.5 years. They might serve for an early estimation of the effectiveness of a positive intervention.
Objective. – To compile a list of perceived functions of playfulness from nominations of laypeople and totest the association of the productions with individual levels of playfulness as a personality trait.
Method. – Three hundred and twenty-four adults aged 18 to 62 (M = 31.6, SD = 11.5) listed perceivedfunctions of playfulness in five areas (leisure and work and when being with work colleagues, friends,and their partner) and completed a questionnaire for playfulness.
Results. – The entries were grouped into seven broader categories; namely, (1) well-being; (2) humor andlaughter; (3) mastery orientation; (4) creativity; (5) relationships; (6) coping strategies; and (7) copingwith situations. Women noted more functions than men (t(297) = 2.99, p < .01, d = 0.35) but there wereno gender differences in the playfulness scale. Individual levels of playfulness correlated only for menwith a greater number of functions, while it was uncorrelated in the sample of women.
Conclusion. – People see a broad range of functions for playfulness in their daily lives. This warrantsfurther investigation on potential benefits of adult playfulness.
as a one-dimensional individual differences phenomenon. The present study presents first empirical data on the fear of being laughed at in India (N=296). It describes the adaptation of an instrument for the subjective assessment of gelotophobia to Kannada. The translation yielded good psychometric properties and especially items referring to controlling oneself strongly in order not to attract negative attention and to appear ridiculous to other people yielded higher endorsements. Gelotophobia was not related to the age, sex, or marital status of the participants. More that one fourth of the participants (27.70 %) exceeded a cut-off score indicating at least a slight expression of gelotophobic symptoms. The results are discussed with respect to the current literature on the fear of being laughed at.
effects of such activities in participants aged 50 and above.
Method: We tested the impact of four self-administered positive psychology interventions in an online setting (i.e., gratitude visit, three good things, three funny things, and using signature strengths in a new way) on happiness and depressive symptoms in comparison with a placebo control exercise (i.e., early memories). A total of 163 females aged 50– 79 tried the assigned interventions or the placebo control exercise for one week and completed measures on happiness and depressive symptoms at five times (pre- and post-test, 1, 3, and 6 months).
Results: Three out of the four interventions (i.e., gratitude visit, three good things, and using signature strengths in a new way) increased happiness, whereas two interventions (three funny things and using signature strengths in a new way) led to a reduction of depressive symptoms on at one post-measure.
Conclusion: Positive psychology interventions yield similar results for people aged 50 and above as for younger people. The dissemination of such interventions via the Internet offers a valuable opportunity for older age groups as well.
Participants and methods. In total, 4,100 adults completed online self-ratings on their playfulness, happiness, and Seligman’s three orientations to happiness (life of pleasure, engagement, and meaning).
Results. In a cross-sectional design, playfulness was stable across the life-course; variations in the mean scores were rather small (half a standard deviation). Yet participants < 40 yielded
the comparatively lowest scores. There were no gender differences. Playfulness was best predicted by the scale assessing the life of pleasure and was positively related to happiness.
Conclusion. Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.
stability) as well as the Expressiveness-factor (extraversion). The study contributes towards a better understanding of the structure of playfulness in questionnaires developed for adults. Implications for future research are discussed.
However, the intellectual component was only low and the impulsive component was uncorrelated with two current measures of adult playfulness. The question arises as to whether these aspects exist only as components in the implicit psychological and linguistic theories. The sense of humor was most strongly related with the cheerful-engaged factor while some “humor skills” were particularly related to other factors; e.g., finding humor under stress with the intellectual component. This study helps toward a better understanding of the basic structure of playfulness in adults."
assessed.