Teasing is commonplace in our social interactions (Kowalski, 2007). Due to its paradoxical nature it can be employed to produce both positive and negative outcomes (Keltner et al., 1998) however, the ambiguity and subjectivity in teasing can make it susceptible to misinterpretation (Kowalski, 2000; 2007; Kruger et al., 2006). The present study extends prior research to sort out complexities within teasing. From the perspective of the teaser, it examines how type of teasing (prosocial and antisocial) and outcome (successful and unsuccessful) interact to influence motivations for, the construction of, and reactions to teasing episodes. The influence of type of teasing and outcome on motivations for teasing are explored using a scheme developed in hurtful communication research (e.g., Vangelisti & Young, 2000). The construction of teasing messages, specifically the focus of teasing content, nonverbal mitigators, and verbal aggravators are examined to assess the extent to which teasers modify their messages to achieve designated goals in teasing. The reactions of targets to teasing and the emotional impact of them on teasers are explored for significant variance across teasing conditions. Finally, the anxiety teasers experience when engaging in the risky social practice of teasing is examined across teasing types and outcomes. A sample of 172 undergraduates at Northwestern University completed questionnaires to assess their experiences as instigators of teasing that were antisocial or prosocial and successful or unsuccessful. Results provided insight into the influence of type of teasing and outcome on teasing communication. Strategic and self-centered motivations for teasing were predicted by an interaction of teasing type and outcome in prosocial, antisocial, and successful teasing conditions. Type of teasing and outcome did interact to influence how directly targets responded negatively to teasing and teasers reported negative emotional responses to in unsuccessful, prosocial, and antisocial teasing conditions. It was found that teasers do little to modify their teasing topic and use of mitigators and aggravators across teasing types and outcomes. Additionally, type of teasing and outcome did not interact to predict teaser anxiety during teasing. Implications, limitations and future directions are discussed.

Last modified

• 09/08/2018

Creator

• Courtney Wright

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/N24H9B

Subject

• Communication Studies

Keyword

• teasing communication

Date created

• 2008-05-08

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright