Self-deprecating humor and task persistence: the moderating role of self-defeating humor style

Abstract Over the past two decades a significant body of research has examined the effects of individual differences in humor style or humor occurrences (e.g. specific jokes, memes) on behavior. However, research examining whether these individual differences in humor styles influence the effects of humor occurrences on work behaviors has been scant. Drawing on Conservations of Resources (COR) theory, this paper seeks to fill this gap by examining one form of humor, self-deprecating humor, and its interaction with self-defeating humor style to influence task persistence behavior. Findings from an experimental study of 124 management students show that self-deprecating humor can bolster a person’s persistence at an assigned task. Findings also show that individual differences in self-defeating humor style influence the relationship between self-deprecating humor and persistence. Individuals low in self-defeating humor style show a significant increase in persistence while those high in self-defeating humor style did not show any significant increase.