How ethnic groups and clan systems influence humor styles: evidence from indigenous students in Taiwan

Abstract The aim of this study is to compare the differences in humor styles between indigenous and Han Chinese populations in Taiwan. The differences in humor styles between clan systems (patriarchy or matriarchy) within indigenous people were further examined. A total of 442 indigenous students and 1,040 Han Chinese students (M age = 12.88) in Taiwan were recruited. The Chinese version of the Humor Styles Questionnaire was applied. The following are the main findings. (1) Indigenous students use positive humor (affiliative and self-enhancing humor) more often than do Han students. (2) Indigenous girls in matriarchal societies use aggressive humor more often than do indigenous girls in patriarchal societies. (3) Indigenous boys use aggressive humor more often than do girls in patriarchal societies. However, such evidence was lacking in matriarchal societies. From the perspective of social constructions, the present findings reconfirm the effect of social status on humor.