What is it about?
While a lot of research has analyzed the significance of the content of jokes, we know less about the significance of the setting one hears them in. In this work, we show that **where** people hear jokes can matter just as much as **who** tells them.
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Why is it important?
Humor is a pervasive social phenomenon that shapes connection, persuasion, and well-being – yet its psychological underpinnings remain underexplored. My research clarifies when and why humor succeeds or fails.
Perspectives
While professional comedians may have access to well-managed comedy clubs or concert venues with great acoustics, amateur comedians often have to perform wherever they get an opportunity. Especially at the beginning of their careers, when they most need to build a following, comedians frequently perform at open mic events where the background noise of bars and cafes is poorly controlled, customers simultaneously pursue other activities, and acoustics are an afterthought. We show evidence that these settings can reduce the funniness of jokes, providing negative feedback to early comedians.
Drew Gorenz
University of Southern California
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Can a noisy venue be bad for comedy?, PLOS One, September 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0332911.
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