Humour styles as predictors of forgiveness among undergraduates

Attribution theory assumed that internal factors such as (humour styles) and external factors may explain forgiveness among undergraduates. In the current study, the assumption is tested among 226 undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Ages of the participants were 18-40 years (M= 21.66 years, SD= 3.10). Two scales were used to collect data for the study: Rey forgiveness scale (RFS) and humour styles questionnaire (HSQ). The study adopted a predictive correlation design and the hypothesis was tested with multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that humour styles; affiliative humour, self-enhancing humour, aggressive humor and self-defeating humour did not predict forgiveness significantly. The outcome of the study suggested for the first time a framework for understanding the role of humour styles on forgiveness. It was suggested that affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive and self-defeating humour styles should not be encouraged and included in the University’s programs as part of general studies, routine seminars, conferences and orientations of new students because it is not effective for peaceful co existence among undergraduates.