Humorous stimuli and depression: an examination of Beck's premise.

Investigated the premise that an ancillary characteristic of depression is a diminished humor response (N = 40). A 2 X 2 X 2 (High-Low Beck Depression Inventory Scores X Aggressive-Non-aggressive Cartoon X Self-Other Humor Target) design was used. Results indicated that there were no differences between those with higher and lower scores on the Beck in ratings of the cartoons in terms of enjoyment, funniness, or laughter. Additional analyses that used the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist revealed relationships between the affects of anxiety, hostility, and depression, and cartoon type and target. The results raise questions, too, as to the relationship of responses to humorous stimuli and depression.