THE SCIENCE SPORTS: Most of us have probably noticed the hurdles group of athletics coach Leif Olav Alnes, with Karsten Warholm and Amalie Iuel in the lead. Through the media, they have shown that they are a group where the mood, the joke and the “witty” comment are loose. They emphasize that humor is an important part of the actual training work.
This is also supported by research which shows that humor has an important role in a team because it can facilitate relationship building, increase well-being, and one can become more motivated to go to training. Humor is also important in times when the results are lacking and it goes hard, or in tough and tiring training periods. Humor can then help to make the situation harmless or “bring the game into seriousness”.
Positive and negative humor
A common perception is that humor is a benign and pleasant phenomenon that is seen as harmless. However, we have other forms of humor that are not harmless and benign, and that are perceived as hurtful and offensive. In other words, humor can be both “oil” and “sand” in social interaction. It can be lubrication that makes the interaction smooth and well-functioning, it can dissolve tension and promote cooperation, but it can also be “sand”, because it can create uncertainty, friction and bad mood.
A distinction is made between positive (ie constructive and respectful) and negative (destructive and disrespectful) humor. Positive humor can contribute to better communication, cooperation, well-being and learning, and can reduce social conflicts. It can also contribute to reduced stress, competitive tensions and the fear of failure and thus increase efficiency and performance. Although positive humor in general has many beneficial consequences, too much “nonsense” at the wrong time can disrupt concentration and focus, thus reducing learning, efficiency and achievement.
Negative humor is a form that is often at the expense of others. It can be sarcastic comments, malicious jokes or ridicule. If the negative humor is directed at team members, it can be a way to control others. It becomes “dangerous” to say something or make a mistake, because one is afraid of falling victim to humor.
Negative humor therefore has many negative psychosocial consequences. It can contribute to reduced motivation, well-being and self-esteem, reduce the joy of playing sports and increase performance anxiety and fear of failure. Negative humor can also reduce unity and community and create inappropriate “clicks” in the team. At the same time, some studies show that negative humor directed at someone outside the team can create increased community and unity. Aggressive humor directed at opponents can for some also create a form of readiness and fighting mode that can be useful. Although there are some beneficial consequences to this form of negative humor, it is important to emphasize that humor is offensive in its form.
Be careful
If a type of humor expression is given the opportunity to develop over time, it will then affect the humor climate in the team. It is therefore important that coaches and practitioners are aware of which humor expressions should characterize the team and not least counteract and prevent the negative humor.
In order to establish a positive and constructive humor climate, coaches and practitioners must talk openly about what types of humor are acceptable, and what types of humor one does not want. One must be clear on the humor boundaries and that it is allowed, accepted and desirable that it is said from when one experiences that the humor is inappropriate. Always be careful and cautious when using humor about specific people. Use yourself and not others as a target for your own humorous expressions. Remember that we all have a responsibility to create sports groups with a positive humor climate that is inclusive and caring. Such a climate of humor will be both in line with sports ideals and what we want sports to be.
References:
Gaute S. Schei, G. S., Haugen, T., Stenling, A., Grøtting, A., Peters D.M. & Høigaard, R. (2021). Development and Initial Validation of the Humor Climate in Sport Scale. Frontiers in Psychology, Movement Science and Sport Psychology. 1- 15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.692892
Høigaard, R. (2020). Group dynamics and leadership in sports. Cappelen Damm Academic.
Høigaard, R., Haugen T. Johansen, B.T. & Giske, R. (2017). Team identity in youth soccer: The role of coaches’ feedback pattern and use of humor. International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching, 12, 697–707.
Martin, R. A., and Ford, T. (2018). The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach. Cambridge, MA: Academic press.
Scheel, T., and Gockel, C. (2017). Humor at Work in Teams, Leadership, Negotiations, Learning and Health. Springer International Publishing AG.
Read more posts in Vitensporten:
Sports and sports – is it the same?
Outdoor life – when all hope is gone?
Why is women’s football not more popular?
This means the new activity tips for you
Kayaking is easier than you think
This is how we teach children to swim earlier
What do the best football players do in matches and training?
What do all the fights do with the star players’ bodies?
Is sports research worth its weight in gold?
This can affect Olympic performance
It is a good idea to play on a team with the referee
The world’s best sports model?
Personal trainer: From tattered reputation to serious education
Athletics from ancient Greece to the National Championships at Kristiansand Stadium
Train your brain by training your body
Physical education is changing. What does this mean for your child?
How to get more athletes to combine top sports betting and higher education?
– .
