The Spontaneous Use of Humour by Career Counsellors

Eloïse Banet; Jonas Masdonati

Authors

Eloïse Banet University of Lausanne
Jonas Masdonati University of Lausanne

Keywords:

humour, career counselling, adolescents

Abstract

This article focuses on the use of humour by psychologists in career counselling interviews, a quite neglected field of research. Using a qualitative approach, we analyzed the spontaneous humour initiated by career counsellors in sixteen actual vocational interviews. Results show three levels of humorous intervention: conceptual, formal and attentional. Moreover, humour can be associated with a variety of different emotions. Humour was used for two major purposes: to grasp the situation and to support the development of the client’s educational or vocational plan.

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