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The highest form of intelligence: Sarcasm increases creativity for both expressers and recipients

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  • Huang, Li
  • Gino, Francesca
  • Galinsky, Adam D.

Abstract

Sarcasm is ubiquitous in organizations. Despite its prevalence, we know surprisingly little about the cognitive experiences of sarcastic expressers and recipients or their behavioral implications. The current research proposes and tests a novel theoretical model in which both the construction and interpretation of sarcasm lead to greater creativity because they activate abstract thinking. Studies 1 and 2 found that both sarcasm expressers and recipients reported more conflict but also demonstrated enhanced creativity following a simulated sarcastic conversation or after recalling a sarcastic exchange. Study 3 demonstrated that sarcasm’s effect on creativity for both parties was mediated by abstract thinking and generalizes across different forms of sarcasm. Finally, Study 4 found that when participants expressed sarcasm toward or received sarcasm from a trusted other, creativity increased but conflict did not. We discuss sarcasm as a double-edged sword: despite its role in instigating conflict, it can also be a catalyst for creativity.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Li & Gino, Francesca & Galinsky, Adam D., 2015. "The highest form of intelligence: Sarcasm increases creativity for both expressers and recipients," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 162-177.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:131:y:2015:i:c:p:162-177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2015.07.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bill McEvily & Vincenzo Perrone & Akbar Zaheer, 2003. "Trust as an Organizing Principle," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 14(1), pages 91-103, February.
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    4. repec:cup:judgdm:v:7:y:2012:i:5:p:628-638 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ling Tan & Yongli Wang & Hailing Lu, 2022. "Leader Humor Extends beyond Work: how and when Followers Have Better Family Lives," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 351-374, February.
    3. Hakan Yýlmaz & Hüner Þžencan, 2018. "The Effect of The Organizational Citizenship and Cynicism Behaviors on The Management of Hierarchical Conflicts," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 8(2), pages 118-130.
    4. Valsesia, Francesca & Nunes, Joseph C. & Ordanini, Andrea, 2021. "I am not talking to you: Partitioning an audience in an attempt to solve the self-promotion dilemma," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 76-89.
    5. Krause, Verena & Goncalo, Jack A. & Tadmor, Carmit T., 2021. "Divine inhibition: Does thinking about God make monotheistic believers less creative?," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 158-178.
    6. Shenjiang Mo & Chu-Ding Ling & Xiao-Yun Xie, 2019. "The Curvilinear Relationship Between Ethical Leadership and Team Creativity: The Moderating Role of Team Faultlines," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(1), pages 229-242, January.
    7. Gallus, Jana & Bhatia, Sudeep, 2020. "Gender, power and emotions in the collaborative production of knowledge: A large-scale analysis of Wikipedia editor conversations," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 115-130.
    8. Bitterly, T. Bradford & Schweitzer, Maurice E., 2019. "The impression management benefits of humorous self-disclosures: How humor influences perceptions of veracity," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 73-89.
    9. Sanaz Nikghadam-Hojjati & Ali Rajabzadeh-Ghatari & Mahmood Alborzi & Gholamreza Hassanzadeh, 2018. "How Simple Funny Video Games and Short Comedy Movies Impact Creative Idea Generation," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(04), pages 1-20, August.

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