The Relations between Induced Emotions and Humor among Employees Working in HR Departments

Purpose: Studies show that there is a relationship between induced emotions and humor style for HR employees. Design/Methodology/Approach: In accordance with Martin's theory (2003) postulating the existence of five types of humor: affiliative, ego-serving, aggressive and depreciating, the HSQ questionnaire was used to check the type of humor among people belonging to groups in which one of the emotions had been previously induced: sadness, disgust, satisfaction and joy, and the control group. The independent variable was film presentations eliciting four types of emotions: disgust, sadness, satisfaction and joy. A total of 112 people were examined working in HR department. Findings: The results obtained in this study show that inducing emotions such as joy or sadness are associated with a decrease or increase in the level of "affiliative" and aggressive humor. Experienced emotions can affect the way in which tasks are solved and, consequently, the results obtained. Practical Implications: The results obtained may help in the selection of employees and personnel economy. Originality/Value: First, the experienced emotions can affect the way in which tasks are solved and, consequently, the results obtained. Their influence is so strong that it may be related to changes in humor style.