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Title: "That's some positive energy": how social media users respond to #funny science content
Many scientists make use of social media and take various approaches to humor in their posts to encourage online public engagement, yet little is known about how publics respond to particular types of online science humor. This study investigates the behavioral effects of the presence of different types of science humor, specifically anthropomorphism, wordplay, and the two combined, shared by a scientist on Twitter. Individuals who experienced higher levels of mirth after exposure to humorous science content were more likely to leave a comment on the social media post. Additionally, individuals' need for cognition moderated the relationship between humor exposure and mirth, as well as the relationship between mirth and leaving a comment. These results and future research are discussed.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1906864
PAR ID:
10505302
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
SISSA Medialabsrl
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Science Communication
Volume:
23
Issue:
01
ISSN:
1824-2049
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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