Abstract
The study describes the development and initial assessment of a questionnaire for the assessment of the fear of being laughed
at (gelotophobia), the joy in being laughed at (gelotophilia), and the joy in laughing at others (katagelasticism) in a sample
of 386 six to 9 year olds. The 30-item measure (PhoPhiKat-30c) demonstrated a robust three-factor structure and satisfactory
internal consistency (all ≥.68). An evaluation of the answering pattern of the children revealed that for between one third
and half of the children fear of being laughed at seemed to be a concern for them. In self and teacher-reports, gelotophobia
was related to victim-status and katagelasticism to bully-status. This initial study enables research in three dispositions
towards ridicule and being laughed at in younger children. This closes a gap in the literature and should provide a better
understanding on the role of laughter and ridicule in children.
at (gelotophobia), the joy in being laughed at (gelotophilia), and the joy in laughing at others (katagelasticism) in a sample
of 386 six to 9 year olds. The 30-item measure (PhoPhiKat-30c) demonstrated a robust three-factor structure and satisfactory
internal consistency (all ≥.68). An evaluation of the answering pattern of the children revealed that for between one third
and half of the children fear of being laughed at seemed to be a concern for them. In self and teacher-reports, gelotophobia
was related to victim-status and katagelasticism to bully-status. This initial study enables research in three dispositions
towards ridicule and being laughed at in younger children. This closes a gap in the literature and should provide a better
understanding on the role of laughter and ridicule in children.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s12187-011-9127-1
- Authors
- René T. Proyer, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/7, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Monica Neukom, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/7, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Tracey Platt, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/7, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Willibald Ruch, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/7, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland
- Journal Child Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1874-8988
- Print ISSN 1874-897X