Humor

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

What is Humor?

Humor is a sense of playfulness and lightness. It is a way of looking at and describing the world that brings laughter to people. A person with the strength of humor is skilled at seeing the funny side of things, bringing smiles and laughter to others, and identifying and communicating the absurdities in life. People with this strength don’t specifically need to be joke tellers, although many are. 

Humor can have a dark side, depending on how it’s used. Some humor is mean spirited and bullying. The type of humor that the character strength focuses on is that which raises the spirits of other people.

Virtue: Transcendence. These strengths allow people to rise above their troubles and find meaning in the larger
universe. The strengths of transcendence include appreciation of beauty and excellence, purpose, gratitude, optimism, and humor.

Individuals with this strength might be described as funny, amusing, hilarious, witty, lighthearted, or playful.


The content on this page is written for adults — and the character card linked below is our Grades 9–12 version. Our curriculum is differentiated by grade level, from Pre-K–12. Request free lessons to get a closer look at how P2 teaches character strengths across grade levels.

Individuals with this strength are likely to think, feel, or behave in the following ways:

Humor
It makes me feel good to make people laugh and smile.
Humor
People like to spend time with me because I’m fun to be with.
Humor
Even in trying situations, I can still find the humor.
Humor
It’s especially important to be able to laugh in difficult circumstances.
Humor
I have a unique way of looking at the world. When I describe it to people, they laugh.

Why does humor matter?

For individuals, humor has important health benefits, both mental and physical. Humor stretches the mind to look at things from different perspectives, keeping people mentally agile and alert. Making people laugh also produces positive emotions and happiness for the initiator. And, when people are on the receiving end of humor, they also receive many benefits. Scientists have shown that laughter reduces stress, promotes connection with other people, and can even improve focus. Laughter is contagious and bonds us to other people.

Humor plays an important role in helping groups of people rise above difficult circumstances and boost morale. It removes us from our present difficulties by easing tension and making life more fun. This is why athletic teams often need a jokester to help them get through tough losses and early morning fitness sessions. On a larger societal level, humor often helps downtrodden groups find cohesion and strength. This is why Simon Wiesenthal said, “Humor is the weapon of unarmed people: it helps people who are oppressed smile at the situation that pains them.”

Quotes on Humor

“Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.”

- Langston Hughes 

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. 

- Audrey Hepburn 

 

“Comedy can be a cathartic way to deal with personal trauma.”

- Robin Williams 

“Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.”

- Aung San Suu Kyi

Explore more character strengths

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

Learn more
Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.

You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

Learn more
Bravery

You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

Learn more
Creativity

You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

Learn more
Curiosity

You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

Learn more
Enthusiasm

You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

Learn more
Fairness

You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

Learn more
Forgiveness

You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

Learn more
Gratitude

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

Learn more
Humility

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

Learn more
Humor

You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people.

Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.

Learn more
Integrity

Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

Learn more
Kindness

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

Learn more
Leadership

You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

Learn more
Love

You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

Learn more
Love of Learning

You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

Learn more
Open-Mindedness

You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

Learn more
Optimism

You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

Learn more
Perseverance

You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

Learn more
Perspective

You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.

You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

Learn more
Prudence

You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

Learn more
Purpose

You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

Learn more
Self-Control

You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

Learn more
Social Intelligence

You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

Learn more
Teamwork

You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

Want to see more?

P2 for Families gives parents simple, no-prep ways to talk about character strengths with their kids.