Warning: this section is not for the faint-hearted. You know how dissecting a frog leaves you with something that doesn’t remotely resemble a frog? Well, here we're going to dissect humor so it isn’t remotely funny. In the course of trying to teach humor’s impact on the human experience, this is what a humor scholar (of the informal variety) must do.
If you just want funny stuff, contact a comedian. My dear friend, Patty Wooten, R.N., is another humor scholar who also provides funnier stuff than I have to offer at this time. Enjoy!

In Shirley’s personal examination of Humor Studies, she is exploring humor research and application in six areas she’s identified as "favorably impacting the human experience." The subheadings in the menu at left contain some of the discoveries made.
To expedite the launching of this site, Shirley has to defer to uncited "lay statements" regarding the identified areas of scientific research and their respective findings. However, this information will be developing as time and additional material becomes available. These additions will include cited information and a growing bibliography. Be sure you BOOKMARK this site and visit often!
Her current information comes from ten years of serious literature review, graduate courses, membership in and providing papers at conferences representing two particularly relevant professional organizations (International Society for Humor Studies and American Association for Therapeutic Humor), attendance at the International Humor and Creativity Institute, as well as prolific reading into such areas as mind-body connection, brain development and social science.
Questions or comment? Contact Shirley.

Papers:

Laughing Is Good for Your Brains

Attachment Isn't Just for Early Childhood

From Ha-Ha to A-HA!: Humor's role in healthy brain development