By Amy R. Pearce

JONESBORO -- C'mon, where's your sense of humor?

The abilities to produce and appreciate humor are unique human qualities. Few people readily admit to having an inadequate sense of humor, but if you've been asked the question above more than once, then chances are you should lighten up. A good sense of humor is considered an asset to one's personality.

Not only does a good sense of humor have the potential to enrich certain social situations, a recent study suggests humor positively influences your desirability as a mate -- but only if you're a funny guy.

A group of Canadian researchers recently reported in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior that men and women evaluate humor differently when considering its desirability in a romantic partner.

The Canadian study examined sex differences in attraction to humorous individuals. The researchers manipulated how humorous persons were perceived by presenting photos of people along with statements that were funny or not. Participants then selected which person was a more desirable partner for a romantic relationship.

Results showed that only women chose humorous men as preferred relationship partners. That is, women preferred the "funny guy," but men did not prefer the "funny girl."

Participants also rated the people in the photos on different personality traits. Both men and women rated humorous people as more socially adept -- funny people were considered to be more fun, friendly and popular. They were also perceived to be more independent and confident.

However, the perceptions of humorous people were not all positive. Humorous people were also perceived to be less honest and less intelligent than nonhumorous people.

This study may help to explain why men use humor more often in social contexts than women. If women laugh at the jokes men generate, this serves as a signal of appreciation of their humor. Humor appreciation may signal sexual interest.

Other studies have supported this explanation, showing that the more a woman laughs during a conversation with a man, the more interest she has in dating him. Also, the more a woman laughs the more interest the man has in dating her. In contrast, the extent of laughter a man produces during a conversation with a woman is not related to his interest in dating her.

Researchers at Arkansas State University are also interested in humor's role in romantic relationships.

The author and Dr. Irina Khramtsova, along with undergraduate psychology student Alexandra Ramsey, are conducting cross-cultural studies at ASU and collaborating Russian universities.

The studies address the characteristics and traits men and women look for in romantic partners. Results suggest humor plays an important role in mate selection even in vastly different cultures.

The types of humor generated and appreciated vary widely across different cultures and individuals. However, humor may be among the most highly desired characteristics because it signals sound mental health and a positive outlook on life, both of which serve as assets in romantic relationships.

In the ASU study the combined rankings of Russian and American men and women show humor in the top five among 37 desirable traits. It was joined by love, dependability, happiness and kindness.

Interestingly, when rankings were determined for separate groups, humor was pushed out of the top five. For Russian males and U.S. females, humor lost its place to forgiveness. Exactly what these groups are doing in their romantic relationships to desire forgiveness may not be so funny.

The ASU group is extending these studies to include India and will present the findings as part of a symposium in health psychology at the 26th International Congress of Applied Psychology in Athens, Greece, in July.

For more information contact the ASU Department of Biological Sciences at biology@astate.edu.

Dr. Amy R. Pearce is an assistant professor of psychology at Arkansas State University.