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Humorous Videos Help Reduce Stress and Increase Positive Affect
First Name Last Name
Student Number
Department of Psychology, Macquarie University
STAX1103: Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics
Tutor:
April 1, 2022
Word Count: 796
, 2
Humorous Videos Help Reduce Stress and Increase Positive Affect
The popularity of short-form video applications has risen around the world in recent
years (Liu et al., 2021). Having unlimited access to funny short-form videos can increase the
positive effect and reduce stress, potentially having a significant positive impact on mental
health (van Steenbergen et al., 2021; Zander-Schellenberg et al., 2020). The ability to elicit
positive emotions through humour is one way people cope with stressful life events (Fritz,
2017). However, further research is required to determine if funny videos can have the same
effect on reducing stress; the current study aims to address this.
Watching funny videos can increase positive affect (Liu et al., 2021). The stress-
reducing capacity of positive emotions is directly related to positive health outcomes (van
Steenbergen et al., 2021; Zander-Schellenberg et al., 2020). Van Steenbergen et al. (2021)
highlight that a positive effect was observed to dampen stress-related psychological changes
(hormone levels, for example); reducing the activation of a stress response decreases the
negative effect stress has on mental and physical health. These findings suggest greater
positive affect is associated with lower stress levels.
Previous research conducted by Fritz (2017) examined how humour helps individuals
cope with stressful life events. This article compared three studies that examined the stress-
buffering effects of dispositional humour and its association with enhanced psychological
adjustment, positive social interactions, and improved reappraisal of adverse situations. Study
two suggests a variety of self-enhancing style humour was associated with a reduced level of
psychological distress, indicating that humour can reduce distress by encouraging reappraisal
(Fritz, 2017). Through reappraisal, stressors become less threatening, reducing negative
emotional responses. Further research is needed to test whether engaging with funny videos
reduces negative emotional reactions.
Humorous Videos Help Reduce Stress and Increase Positive Affect
First Name Last Name
Student Number
Department of Psychology, Macquarie University
STAX1103: Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics
Tutor:
April 1, 2022
Word Count: 796
, 2
Humorous Videos Help Reduce Stress and Increase Positive Affect
The popularity of short-form video applications has risen around the world in recent
years (Liu et al., 2021). Having unlimited access to funny short-form videos can increase the
positive effect and reduce stress, potentially having a significant positive impact on mental
health (van Steenbergen et al., 2021; Zander-Schellenberg et al., 2020). The ability to elicit
positive emotions through humour is one way people cope with stressful life events (Fritz,
2017). However, further research is required to determine if funny videos can have the same
effect on reducing stress; the current study aims to address this.
Watching funny videos can increase positive affect (Liu et al., 2021). The stress-
reducing capacity of positive emotions is directly related to positive health outcomes (van
Steenbergen et al., 2021; Zander-Schellenberg et al., 2020). Van Steenbergen et al. (2021)
highlight that a positive effect was observed to dampen stress-related psychological changes
(hormone levels, for example); reducing the activation of a stress response decreases the
negative effect stress has on mental and physical health. These findings suggest greater
positive affect is associated with lower stress levels.
Previous research conducted by Fritz (2017) examined how humour helps individuals
cope with stressful life events. This article compared three studies that examined the stress-
buffering effects of dispositional humour and its association with enhanced psychological
adjustment, positive social interactions, and improved reappraisal of adverse situations. Study
two suggests a variety of self-enhancing style humour was associated with a reduced level of
psychological distress, indicating that humour can reduce distress by encouraging reappraisal
(Fritz, 2017). Through reappraisal, stressors become less threatening, reducing negative
emotional responses. Further research is needed to test whether engaging with funny videos
reduces negative emotional reactions.
