LD and nonhandicapped boys' comprehension of cartoon humor. Learning Disability Quarterly

Abstract. One aspect of social perception often noted as deficient in learning disabled individuals is an appropriate sense of humor. The purpose of this study was to examine the cartoon humor comprehension of learning disabled and non-handicapped boys in two age groups, 8- and 12-year-olds. The cognitive structure rather than the content of humor was the focus. In addition to examining comprehen-sion of cartoon humor between groups and across age levels, the relationship be-tween comprehension and appreciation measures was studied. Significant main ef-fects were found indicating a developmental lag for the learning disabled subjects. Moderate correlations were established between comprehension and appreciation measures. As aspects of social perception, appreciation and comprehension of humor have received little research attention. Although studies in this area have been conducted with normal populations since the early 1970s, little is understood about how the characteristics attributed to learning disabled (LD) individuals affect their ability to perceive, interpret, and react to such humor forms as puns, jokes, riddles, cartoons, and satire. The purpose of this study was (a) to examine the ability of learning disabled boys in two age groups to comprehend cartoon humor and (b) to determine whether a relationship existed between their ability to comprehend humor and their appreciation responses