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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:
May 20, 2022
Word Count: 753
, 2
Abstract
Greater positive affect is a critical factor in buffering stress; the present study investigated
positive effects, including reducing viewer stress while watching humorous videos. Previous
research has shown that engaging in humour, in general, is related to lower stress and
increased positive emotions. Thus, the current study investigated whether watching funny
videos increased positive affect and reduced stress. The sample consisted of 200 university
students (aged from 17 to 30 (M = 23.2 years; 48% female, 46% male, 5% non-binary). The
present study used an experimental study design in which participants were randomly
assigned, either to the intervention group (funny video clips) or the control group (neutral
video clips). Students watched the set videos when feeling stressed, completed a modified
version of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, and reported a stress score from 0
to 100. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were tested using a two-sample t-test; results showed participants
in the intervention group reported higher positive affect than those in the control group.
Additionally, the intervention group reported lower stress than the control group. Pearson’s
correlation for hypothesis 3 showed greater positive affect was associated with lower stress
levels. The results suggest that watching funny video clips can increase positive affect and
reduce stress.
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:
May 20, 2022
Word Count: 753
, 2
Abstract
Greater positive affect is a critical factor in buffering stress; the present study investigated
positive effects, including reducing viewer stress while watching humorous videos. Previous
research has shown that engaging in humour, in general, is related to lower stress and
increased positive emotions. Thus, the current study investigated whether watching funny
videos increased positive affect and reduced stress. The sample consisted of 200 university
students (aged from 17 to 30 (M = 23.2 years; 48% female, 46% male, 5% non-binary). The
present study used an experimental study design in which participants were randomly
assigned, either to the intervention group (funny video clips) or the control group (neutral
video clips). Students watched the set videos when feeling stressed, completed a modified
version of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, and reported a stress score from 0
to 100. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were tested using a two-sample t-test; results showed participants
in the intervention group reported higher positive affect than those in the control group.
Additionally, the intervention group reported lower stress than the control group. Pearson’s
correlation for hypothesis 3 showed greater positive affect was associated with lower stress
levels. The results suggest that watching funny video clips can increase positive affect and
reduce stress.
