Nuns Making Fun: An Exploration of Humor among Nuns and Consecrated Women

• In Event: 1452 - Group Bonding and Binding: Cohesion, Morality, and Social Norms

Abstract

This paper discusses the role and use of humor in the lives of nuns and consecrated women. A
qualitative study consisting of interviews with nuns and consecrated women was conducted to
produce data about the way in which they use humor. Humor among these women was examined
through the framework of identity and social identity theories, as well as theories of humor as a
method of emotion management for coping with stress. Results show that Catholic and women
religious social identities influence the women’s perspective of humor as a positive force and a
method of creating social cohesion, as well as their commitment to avoiding harmful humor,
more strongly than role identities. Person identities are more important than social ones in
determining when, and what types of, humor can be used. The nuns’ use of humor also reveals
that their social identity as nuns is not necessarily their primary and most salient identity, and
women religious often identify strongly with those in their age group. Additionally, while humor
is used to cope with stress, its effectiveness in doing so is mediated by the valence of negative
emotions felt.

Author

• Megan Routh, University of Texas-Arlington