Humor has been constructed to be an essential piece of human personality. So much so, that it has been revered and celebrated. Because of its appeal, mass mediums tirelessly produce films, TV shows, books, and plays solely to make us laugh, and it is usually rewarding.
A prominent spot in the job market has been designated for those with a good understanding of what it means to be funny, from comedians with a net worth in the millions to content producers who can drag in in thousands of viewers with a few jokes. It has often times been said that humor is a strong indicator of intelligence. A study from the University of New Mexico argues that this is true. Of course, this isn’t just perfect score on the SAT kind of intelligent, it is much more broad than that. So, if you think you’re funny, here’s what that says about you.
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1. Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence runs alongside empathy. High emotional intelligence implies that you have a strong understanding of your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. With this sense, you may be in good control of your own feelings and can possibly even manipulate those of others. Ostensibly, humor is an effective tool when cheering people up.
So, there’s a strong correlation between the two. Chances are that if you’re good at making other’s laugh, and can use your own emotions to convey the humor of a joke more effectively, then you may have an above-average emotional intelligence.
2. Social Intelligence
There are different types of jokes for different kinds of people. Laughter is universal, but sense of humor is diverse. Those who can recognize what makes others laugh abide by the golden rule of media: know your audience. While it’s not exactly mind-reading, social intelligence can relate to good observational and listening skills, self-confidence, and charisma. It can also go hand-in-hand with being extraverted and having excellent verbal and conversational acuity.
3. Intelligence Quota
A study done in the 1970’s gave 69 comedians IQ tests, and came to the conclusion that they had a higher IQ than the average population. Another study done with 80 school children also found a .91 correlation between intelligence and humor, which is only .09 from a perfect correlation. So, a well-developed sense of humor could predict that you’re also an intelligent person.
4. Efficient in the Workplace
Humor is renowned for its ability to combat stress. It is also effective in breaking tension, boosting morale, and building trust. All of these factors are the main components of workplace productivity. Comedy also makes one seem more approachable and makes working with others much more enjoyable. Wherever you work, humor may help improve relations with co-workers, clients, managers, and bosses.
5. Creativity
Humor can help alleviate your inner critic. It serves as a relaxant, which promotes an innovative environment. Original comedy and satire requires creativity. Shows such Saturday Night Live, Key and Peele, and Whose Line is it Anyway are testaments to this idea. However, creativity doesn’t just apply to the arts. It leads to unique problem-solving and effective, unorthodox strategies and plans.
