Replication of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis: Effects of Pen-Holding Position on Cartoon Humor Ratings
Overview
This paper reports a replication of Strack et al. (1988)'s facial feedback hypothesis experiment examining whether holding a pen with one's teeth (engaging smiling muscles) versus lips (incompatible with smiling) affects humor perception ratings. The study found the teeth-holding group rated a cartoon higher (4.4 vs 3.6), supporting the hypothesis, though the difference was statistically negligible.
What this lab report covers
- Introduction and Background: Overview of the Strack et al. (1988) facial feedback hypothesis study
- Methodology: Experimental design with two groups of 5 participants each, pen-holding manipulation, and 5-point humor rating scale
- Results: Mean ratings, standard deviation calculations, and group comparisons
- Discussion and Analysis: Hypothesis consistency evaluation, identification of confounding variables, and limitations including prior cartoon exposure, humor subjectivity, and small sample size
Preview
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Facial Feedback Hypothesis Experiment
According to German psychologist Fritz Strack and colleagues (1988), people find cartoons funnier while holding a pen with their teeth using a smiling muscle than holding it with their lips (using muscles incompatible with smiling). For this assignment, you are to replicate Fritz et al. (1988) experiment by taking the following steps:
Step 1: Choose 1 cartoon from the newspaper that you find particularly funny. You might want to ask some neutral third party if they find this cartoon funny (humor is subjective).
Step 2: Assemble 2 groups of 5 people each (10 people total). Separate these two groups so neither group can hear the directions that you give each one.
Step 3: The directions for the first group will be "You are to rate the following cartoon (do not show them this cartoon until you go through the directions first) on how humorous you find it. A "1" means that you do not find this cartoon funny at all; a "5" means you find the cartoon very funny. While you read this cartoon, you need to put this pen in your mouth and hold it with your lips only. Your teeth may not touch the pen. With the pen on your lips, you may read the cartoon. After you have read the cartoon, you may take the pen out of your mouth and use it to write down your rating on this slip of paper.