Humour across cultures. Research on transcultural humour in intercultural coaching and training settings

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2: SELECTED THEORETICAL BASICS ON HUMOUR

2.1 Humour and the sense of humour

2.2 Types of humour

2.3 Communicational aspects of humour and its functions

2.3.1 Communicational functions of humour

2.3.2 Social functions

2.3.3 Psychological functions

2.3.4 Summary

2.4 Humour and context: Transcultural aspects of humour

2.4.1 The terminology of culture

2.4.2 Main assumptions on transcultural aspects of humour

2.4.3 The notion of context

2.4.4 Intercultural Coaching (ICC) and Intercultural Training (ICT) as context

2.5 Summing up: Specification of research objective, questions and hypotheses

CHAPTER 3: STUDY ON TRANSCULTURAL HUMOUR

3.1 Methodology

3.1.1 Introduction to qualitative social research: Qualitative and quantitative research

3.1.2 Application of qualitative research design with regards to the study

3.1.3 The Interview as data collection and theory proving method

3.1.3.1 Characteristics of qualitative interview

3.1.3.2 The problem-centred interview

3.1.3.3 The expert interview

3.1.3.4 The written interview

3.1.3.5 The structured interview

3.1.4 Summary

3.2 Practical implementations: Research realisation and data collection

3.2.1 Research design: The interview guideline

3.2.2 The participants: Enrolment and description of the sample

3.2.3 Pre-test and conduction of interviews

3.2.4 Ethical aspects

3.2.5 Double-checking

3.2.6 Summary

3.3 Analysis of the interviews

3.3.1 Evaluation method: Qualitative content analysis (MAYRING)

3.3.2 Evaluation procedure: Deductive and inductive category application

3.3.3 Summary

3.4 Presentation of results

3.4.1 Category I: Humour’s functions

3.4.2 Category II: Purpose of humour in ICC and ICT

3.4.3 Category III: Manner of humour application in ICC and ICT

3.4.4 Category IV: Transcultural humour (TCH)

3.4.5 Category V: Functions of TCH

3.4.6 Aspect analysis

3.4.7 Quality criteria of reliability and validity

3.4.8 Summary

3.5 Interpretation and discussion

3.5.1 Hypothesis I

3.5.2 Hypothesis II

3.5.3 Hypothesis III

3.5.4 Hypothesis IV

3.5.5 General assumptions and thoughts

3.5.6 Critics: Limitations and future implications

3.5.6.1 The researches limitations

3.5.6.2 Prospects for future studies

3.6 Concluding comments

Research Objectives and Core Themes

This study aims to examine the application and perception of humour by international experts in Intercultural Coaching (ICC) and Intercultural Training (ICT), specifically seeking to identify whether a "transcultural humour" exists that can function effectively across different cultural boundaries. The central research question explores how this transcultural humour can be defined, its criteria, and its practical application within counselling settings to overcome cultural barriers and build common ground.

• Theoretical exploration of humour as a communicational and social phenomenon.
• Distinction between "humour as a phenomenon" and the individual "sense of humour."
• Qualitative expert analysis of humour's functions (social, communicational, psychological) in coaching and training.
• Introduction of the concept of "transcultural humour" as a resource for professional counselling.
• Methodological integration of qualitative expert interviews and deductive-inductive content analysis.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the role of humour in daily life and its therapeutic potential, outlining the research motivation to explore humour's effectiveness in cross-cultural counselling.

CHAPTER 2: SELECTED THEORETICAL BASICS ON HUMOUR: This section provides a foundation for the study by defining humour, distinguishing it from the "sense of humour," and outlining its communicational, social, and psychological functions.

CHAPTER 3: STUDY ON TRANSCULTURAL HUMOUR: This core chapter presents the methodology, the expert interview process, the data collection, and the comprehensive results and discussion regarding the existence and application of transcultural humour in professional settings.

Keywords

transcultural humour, Intercultural Coaching, Intercultural Training, qualitative research, expert interview, humour functions, social management, cross-cultural communication, common ground, psychological coping, culture, content analysis, transculturalism, group bonding, communication strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this thesis?

The thesis focuses on researching "transcultural humour" within the settings of Intercultural Coaching and Intercultural Training, exploring how it can be used by professionals to bridge cultural differences.

What are the central themes discussed in the work?

Key themes include the communicative and psychological functions of humour, the role of context in intercultural interactions, and the shift in perspective from strictly intercultural (focus on differences) to transcultural (focus on shared human common ground).

What is the primary objective of the research?

The objective is to validate the existence of transcultural humour based on expert experiences and to generate practical information on its criteria, functions, and application strategies in counselling.

Which scientific methodology is utilized?

The study employs a qualitative research design, specifically using written expert interviews with eleven intercultural coaches and trainers, followed by qualitative content analysis as defined by Mayring.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The main body details the theoretical basics of humour, the methodology of the conducted study, the practical implementation of the interviews, and a thorough analysis of the gathered findings, ultimately validating the research hypotheses.

Which terms best characterize this study?

The work is characterized by terms such as transcultural humour, Intercultural Coaching, Intercultural Training, qualitative analysis, and common ground.

How do experts define the "transcultural" aspect of this humour?

Experts define it as humour that relies on a common point of reference or universal human experience, which allows it to transcend specific cultural frames and be understood by individuals from diverse backgrounds.

What is the significance of the "common point of reference" mentioned in the study?

This is identified as a crucial criterion for transcultural humour; it enables individuals to connect or laugh about a situation because they share a fundamental human experience, even when they do not share the same cultural background.