Effects of humorous heroes and villains in violent action films

This experimental investigation explores the use of humor in violent action films, focusing on the effects of wisecracking heroes and villains on audi ence distress. An action film was edited to create control film versions wi thout wisecracking dialogue. The research revealed contrast effects. Among female viewers, hero wisecracks in an action film increased distress reacti ons to the film, but lessened distressful reactions to subsequent televised depictions of real, nonhumorous violence. Conversely, males exposed to her o humor found the film marginally less distressing, but rated depictions of real violence more distressing. For all viewers, effects of villain wisecr acks tended to parallel females' reactions to hero wisecracks. Disposition theory is offered as a plausible explanation of study findings.