At least when it comes to dating

Men whose jokes fall flat are judged more harshly than women who fail to get a laugh .

At least that's the case on first dates, according to new research  conducted at Yale University.

The American researchers asked 5,400 volunteers to read an account of a first date. Half of subjects the were given stories in which the jokes failed to land, in the other half they went down well.

All the participants  were then asked to rate the person involved based on how likeable, funny and competent they thought they were. 

The results found that when a man cracked dud jokes he was perceived as less attractive, likeable or competent compared to a woman who failed in the same way.

Researchers reckon the difference is because men are seen as using humour to make themselves look better, so are judged harder when it fails, while women are perceived as using jokes to make a connection with others.

In the paper published in September's Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, the team said: ‘Observers are more likely to see men (versus women) as less successful after mistakes in the interpersonal realm.

‘Women who falter are still seen as more attentive, causing their mistakes to seem less substantial….  Men's humour failures were mistakes of greater magnitude, ultimately decreasing men's likability and perceptions of competence.’

Lead author Taly Reich pointed out that her research was limited to the dating sphere, telling PsyPost: ‘Women often have to tread lightly because their mistakes are more damning than the same mistakes made by men.

‘Our research suggests that this might apply more in the office than, say, on a date or in another setting where the goal is to connect. That is, when the goal isn't to get ahead, but to build bonds. When women make a mistake in that arena - say, making a joke that doesn't quite land - observers grant them more leniency than when men slip up in the same way.'

Published: 18 Aug 2021