Using Humor to Maximize Learning Mary Kay Morrison

Using Humor to Maximize Learning Mary Kay Morrison www. questforhumor. com mkmorris@kidsroe. org 1

Information Explosion Contributes to our Knowledge of Humor Three forms of Biological Inquiry (Sylwester 2000) Genetics (cells) Imaging Technology (brains) Evolutionary Psychology (Human Societies) The brain needs movement Text Pages 8/9 to facilitate the flow of energy and information. 2

Humor Magic Ball Toss Dance Music Every 10 Yoga Games minutes Group work Pair. Share Chants Cheers Mind Maps Hi-Five 3

A Closer Look at Humor What is Therapeutic Humor? Therapeutic humor is any intervention that promotes health and wellness by stimulating a playful discovery, expression, or appreciation of the absurdity or incongruity of life’s situations. AATH Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor What is Humergy? “Humergy describes the energy that radiates the optimistic joy of our inner spirit, reflects our unique personality, and nourishes a healthy mind/body balance. ” Mary Kay Morrison 4

New Finding! Research Causes Cancer in Rats J Learning must go through our emotional filter. Our memories are composed of experiences that are linked to emotions. Thus emotional memory is a critical component for the learning process. These emotions are either positively or negatively linked. J Adrenalin not only activates the stress response, it also has the potential to put information into the long term memory. J Anything you do which engages emotional/motivational interest will naturally engage the adrenalin system and results in stronger memories. 5

Fear J Fear is our most powerful emotion. It has the primary purpose of protecting us from harm. We are programmed to pay attention to our fears because this emotion alerts us if our safety is threatened. Fear has been the focus of considerable cognitive research. J Imagining technology makes it relatively easy to locate fear in the amygdala and hippocampus regions of the brain. Fear signals DANGER. Fear immediately alerts us to pay attention. 6

Stress and Learning J Excess Fear causes stress. There is mounting scientific evidence that suggests that excess stress has an adverse impact on learning. J There has been an increasing pressure to focus on what is tested (reading and math) at the expense of the arts, physical education and play. Grades are considered extremely important and actually drive most students learning instead of the desire to learn. J A look at some of the research heightens our awareness of the possible dangers that excess stress creates for learners. 7

I THINK IT’S STRESS 8

Understanding Humor through A Framework for Learning Wh ere ? How? Content ? at h W Process Context Copyright Humor Quest 9

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Contributes to Mind/Body Balance Maximizes Brain Power Enhances Creativity Facilitates Communication Supports the 10

Contributes to Mind/Body Balance J Humor relieves stress Excess fear and anxiety can cause severe stress. This stress can lead to health problems. Humor can relieve stress and promote healing. J Laughter is linked to healing Humor is being used in Therapy (Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor) Laughter releases endorphins in subjects watching comedy (Loma Linda University study-Dr. Lee Berk, California) Vigorous laughter is stimulating, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation; circulating immune substance effectiveness, pulmonary ventilation, and alertness; and exercising the skeletal muscles. Following laughter there is a brief period during which blood pressure drops and heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle activity decrease, resulting in relaxation (Fry, 1994). 11

Research on Positive Psychology J Humor is a complex, developmental, cognitive process that requires an environment of trust. J Research generated from the National Association of Mental Health on Positive Emotionality identified the characteristics of these individuals as those who are alert, enthusiastic, and energetic. Imaging technology on their brains reveal the opposite patterns from those of people who are depressed. J Humor activates the frontal lobes of the brain and requires several cognitive processes; working memory cognitive shifting and abstract thinking. J Fun and play can minimize the stressful conditions prevalent in most systems. 12

Maximizes Brain Capacity J Humor alerts the limbic system, the attentional center of the brain. J Information is more likely to be remembered if it has meaning and contains an emotional “hook”. Humor gets attention. J Humor requires processing of language discrepancies in order to “get the joke” J Humor increases memory retrieval. J Advanced language skills are at the core of humor development. One quality in identifying gifted students is recognizing their sense of humor. J Humor is the number one characteristic that students desire in a 13 teacher.

Enhances Creativity J The same qualities that are necessary for creative thinking are found in the expression of humor: Imagination: Seeing the world a little differently is the core of humor Risk-taking: The ability to express “wild” thoughts and ideas Divergent thinking: making unusual connections and linking different elements emerge with both humor and creativity 14

Facilitates Communication J Humor provides insights into your own behavior and that of others. Humor is part of emotional intelligence. It is the ability to recognize our own emotions and the emotions of others and to respond with positive energy-humergy! J Humor: Mirrors confidence and the ability to laugh at yourself. anger, fear and other emotions. communication skills and risk taking ability. temperament and mood. 15

A Humor Communication Skill: Self Deprecating Humor The ability to laugh at oneself comes from an inner confidence and the skill to encourage others to laugh at you as well. It sends the message that you are human and make mistakes and allows others the freedom to do the same. Some examples: – Appearance – Aging process – Mistakes made If we are what we eat, I am cheap, fast and easy! 16

Supports the Change Process J Change is difficult. J When we can find the humor in a difficult situation we can begin to cope with the change. J Group humor can emerge from coping with the change. It is often negative in nature. 17

Reflections Expands comprehension Increases Opportunity for Retention Helps Learners Cope; Reduces Stress Captures and Retains Student Attention Sense of Humor Creates a Nurturing Environment for Learning Builds Relationships with Students and Colleagues Supports Classroom Management Enhances the Joy-Flow Experience J Review the benefits of humor with your partner and discuss what aspect of humor you benefit the most. J What are some things you do to infuse humor in your work? J Share with the group. 18

Humor Development Growing Up Funny J Peek a Boo- Birth to Two J Knock- 2 years to School Age J Riddle De Dee- Early Elementary Years J Punny Funny- Later Elementary through Teen Years J Fun Finders- Peak Experience/Utopia 19

We might as well post this sign in many of our institutions! Humans have the longest period of play of all animals. This is in direct proportion to the level of mammal intelligence. 20

Why Play? As educators become more concerned with assessment and federal mandates, time for PLAY gets shifted to the bottom of the priority list. Some schools have eliminated recess and there are new schools being built without playgrounds. Play is important to intellectually enhance new learning, increase creativity, solve problems, and provide motivation for intellectual engagement. Along with getting more exercise and eating well, nearly every listing in the top ten ways to reduce stress and create a more balanced lifestyle includes making time for laughter and play. 21

Humor is Risky! A lot of folks practice safe humor. They only feel safe laughing in the following situations: With children With animals With drugs, alcohol With strangers Making fun of someone else 22

Myths about Humor There is no doubt that we have been asked to accomplish more and more in our jobs. I think that the stress that this creates has led to several belief systems that permeate our culture and inhibit humor development. J J J If we have fun, work will not get done!” “If I am silly, I will not be seen as a professional. ” “If we are laughing, they will not be learning. ” “I don’t have time for humor. ” “We cannot measure humor and the effect that it has so it is “soft data” and does not have a place in the serious world” 23

Humorphobia: The Fear of Fun, Laughter and Humor Fear of Loss of Work Time Fear of Looking Silly Fear of Punishment Humorphob ia Fear of Being Made Fun of Fear of Loss of Control Fear of Inadequacy 24

Humordoomers; people who use negative humor to control and manipulate others Humorphobia breeds humordoomers, skilled crafters who use subtle techniques to suppress humor in the workplace. Humordoomers are usually unhappy individuals stressed by the duel demands of accountability and limited time constraints. Handout A 7 The humordoomer is a pessimistic leach, who can suck the humergy right out of you. Grown in a petrie dish of fear and anger, they are threatened by joyful energy and enthusiasm. 25

Inappropriate Humor When the impact is hurtful, it is usually inappropriate, even if the intent is not so. Ridicule Sarcasm Ethnic Humor Gender Humor . “I hate being laughed at!” 26

The Trust Factor: A Critical Component in creating an environment An indicator of trust in an organization is the ability to have fun Fun. Works by Leslie Yerkes. 27

Individual Reflection Activity J J Write down your goals for incorporating humor practice into your life Examples: laugh more often each day, try a new form of play, use hook, line and sinker, tell more funny stories, find a supportive colleague. Set a time line. Example: by the end of the month I will have two coaches in place and will have tried a new form of play each week. Identify your support system Celebrate your success; PARTY 28

Summary J J J Humor defined; humergy Humor is developmental Humor benefits include: Contributes to Mind/Body Balance Maximizes Brain Power Enhances Creativity Facilitates Communication Supports the Change process Creates an Optimal Environment for Learning Humordoomers and Humorphobia challenge humergy J Review the description of Humordoomer and Humorphobia Understand differences between Intent and Impact of humor Write your goals to increase your humor practice 29

READTEXT Using Humor To Maximize Learning by Mary Kay Morrison Chapters • The Tonic for Tired Educators • Developing your Humor Being; A Nut is Born • Mouse Droppings : Examining Brain Research and Humor • Hurtful Humor; NO Laughing Matter • The Humor Workout; Pumping Up with Practice • It’s a Circus Out There • Survival Humor for Stressed Leaders Using Humor to Maximize Learning Mary Kay Morrison Rowman and Littlefield Education. Blue Ridge Summit, PA. Dec. 2007 http: //www. rowmaneducation. com 30

Humor Resources A complete bibliography can be found on Mary Kay’s web site at: www. questforhumor. com J J Reference Books The Psychology of Humor, Rod A. Martin 2007 Why Zebra’s Don’t Get Ulcers, Robert Sapolsky 1998 Fun. Works, Leslie Yerkes, 2001, A Biological Brain in a Cultural Classroom, Robert Sylwester, 2003 . Additional resource; Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) http: //aath. org/ 31