ABSTRACT
The Humor Orientation Scale (HOS) was developed in 1991 by Steven and Melanie Booth-Butterfield to assess individual differences in humor production. Rooted in the cognitive science perspective and consistent with symbolic processing models (Anderson, 1983; Booth-Butterfield, 1987; Greene, 1988), the Booth-Butterfields concluded that the use of humor is the result of mindful, intentional, and strategic communication that is strongly influenced by information processing skills. Consistent with other communication predispositions, “individuals appear to develop differing levels of expertise in choosing, producing, and timing humor” (S. Booth-Butterfield & M. Booth-Butterfield, p. 206). Simply put, some people are funnier than others are and it is this variation that the Humor Orientation Scale measures.
