Student 1
QUESTION NO. 1: Give an example of a time humor has been used where you work. What theory or theories of humor apply? How did the humor affect socialization in your group? Do not just list these elements, integrate them in a thoughtful response that identifies how they combined and related to each other and the ethical issues you observed in this situation.
My most recent job was as a legal assistant in a law firm. We mainly handled family law, which meant divorce and custody cases. Of course, along with this a lot of emotions. Many times, as we have learned in this course is that people will use humor to relax or diffuse a stressful situation. However, when does that humor cross an ethical line? When does it become more than just conversation or just humor? I believe that line is when it is used to personally demoralize another person, or even use jokes as part of a stereotype. Essentially, focusing a hurtful comment or suggestion towards one person or a group of a stereotypical part of society. When it is meant to harm is crossing the line. As attorney’s they should be ultra-sensitive to this type of behavior, as you would think they would have to attend some sensitivity training. This is not the case. On numerous occasions, one of the attorneys would make a reference to a divorcee, all females in this scenario, and make comments referencing their behavior as being typical. When you are one of only two females that work for them, and hear this from them, it is hard to feel on the same level with them at all. It removes any socialization and creates a wall or defense to them. This can and did affect the working relationship for the worst. And this is unfortunate as it is important for an assistant to be able to communicate effectively with the attorney.
According to the textbook, in referencing the moral objections to humor, it states “Similarly, people in stressful occupations like medicine and police work often engage in humor in a way that reduces the stress and increases their self-control” (Morreall, pg. 96). As self-control is one reason why early philosophers believed humor to be negative, this should be a good thing right? Well, at first my take on it was that it didn’t increase their self-control at all, but then I realized it was part of the way they showed control, perhaps mainly showing control and superiority to the opposite sex.
Jennifer
Reference:
Morreall, J. (2009) Comic Relief: A Comprehensive Philosophy of Humor. Blackwell Publishing. Malden, MA. Kindle Edition.
Student 2
1. Give an example of a time humor has been used where you work. What theory or theories of humor apply? How did the humor affect socialization in your group? Do not just list these elements, integrate them in a thoughtful response that identifies how they combined and related to each other and the ethical issues you observed in this situation.
One of the best examples I have experienced was during my time as a cop in the Air Force. The quality of life aspect involved in that career field was extremely poor and overall morale was always low. The best way everybody dealt with the day-to-day grind was to use humor to lighten the mood and keep everything fairly calm. We would spend 12+ hours a day out in the middle of nowhere Montana and it was either extremely hot, or freezing cold. Jokes about leaderships views, what ifs on if civilians ever showed up, literally anything that was brought up in conversation would eventually be morphed into humor in some fashion. The theories that applied to this ranged across all four of the different ones Morreall discusses in our text. I’d have to say that the most prevalent was Relief theory. The humor was used as a way to relieve the stress incurred throughout the day when bad news after bad news would come. Because everybody would deal with the same issues, the socialization of our flight (or group) was high. That was one aspect of the job that was unique. You could be totally different personality-wise from your partner that day, but you would talk like you’ve known each other all your life. It’s as if there weren’t any barriers and everyone gave everyone a chance. Of course, there would be some bad days and some people wouldn’t get along. But even if the humor was received poorly, you’d have to approach it maturely and respectfully because you were going to be stuck with this person for hours after any conflictions. Ethically, there were times when you’d have to step in to make sure people didn’t take things too far, but the humor overall was a benefit to the workplace.
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