R&L Education
Pages: 260
•
Trim: 7½ x 10½
978-1-61048-487-9 • Hardback • March 2012 • $147.00 • (£113.00)
978-1-61048-488-6 • Paperback • March 2012 • $60.00 • (£46.00)
978-1-61048-489-3 • eBook • March 2012 • $57.00 • (£44.00)
Mary Kay Morrison, founder and director of Humor Quest, is enthusiastic about exploring the links between cognitive research and humor. She is an educator who has taught at virtually every level of the educational spectrum, presenting keynote and workshop sessions for international audiences. She serves on the board of directors for AATH (Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor), and is founder and director of the AATH Humor Academy graduate and certificate programs.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 Humor: The Tonic for Tired Blood
Chapter 2 Developing Your Humor Being: A Nut Is Born
Chapter 3 Examining Brain Research and Humor: Mouse Droppings
Chapter 4 Hurtful Humor Is No Laughing Matter
Chapter 5 The Humor Workout: Pumping Up with Practice
Chapter 6 Humor At Work: Stories of Courage
Chapter 7 Leadership is a Funny Thing
Appendix 1 Humor Terminology: Coming to Terms with Humor
Appendix 2 Humor Styles Inventory
Appendix 3 Jasheway Identify Humor Sense: Identifying Your Sense of Humor
Appendix 4 Comedian List
Appendix 5 Categories of Humor
Appendix 6 Humor Reflections
Appendix 7 Humor Belief Inventory
Appendix 8 Toy List
Appendix 9 Take It and Make It Funny
Appendix 10 Destructive Games People Play
Appendix 11 List of figures and tables
Appendix 12 Contributors and Recommended Resources
References
About the Author
I’m delighted that Mary Kay Morrison has been able to put her wisdom and knowledge onto the page....The book is a grab bag for all kinds of research, observations and suggestions for how to put more fun in your life.
— Psychology Today
Using Humor to Maximize Living captures and reviews the current research on the science of humor. It also describes some groundbreaking studies on the neurobiology of humor, as well as what we currently understand about our own humor development. As a result of these new insights, Mary Kay shows us how to truly maximize our daily living and interactions with others through the modernization of these new humor applications. Mary Kay has been teaching and facilitating workshops about the benefits of humor for over 20 years. She has a vast knowledge-base in humor and it continues to be a privilege to work together in teaching the international graduate Humor Academy classes for the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor.
— Lee Berk
Using Humor to Maximize Living is a groundbreaking book that brings in the latest that neuroscience has to offer on humor and the brain. Mary Kay is a gifted teacher, writer, and trainer of people at all levels on how to apply humor to everyday living. She now takes her years of experience of working with people in both the classroom and as a trainer to share numerous practical applications. Whether you are a teacher, health care professional or lay person...you will find this book a key to a joy-filled life.
— Earl Henslin
In Using Humor to Maximize Living, Mary Kay Morrison explains and illustrates the fundamentals of “applied humor.” We’re not talking about “comedy” here, but humor that is applied in specific situations for specific purposes. This gem of a book is about creating a more humorous and joyful atmosphere at work, and doing that by incorporating humor into your leadership, management and work skills. Leaders today must know how to create teams, and motivate individuals and groups. And all workers must become more flexible and interactive with their colleagues. And this is where humor can be so helpful. Mary Kay teaches that humor is one of the important elements in a leader’s or manager’s or worker’s toolbelt of workplace skills.
— Karyn Buxman
Mary Kay Morrison's new book, Using Humor to Maximize Living, is where application meets theory. It will give you the 'how to' in living a more joyful, productive, and happy life (not to mention funnier).
— Chip Lutz, president, Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor; author; and retired Navy Officer
Morrison’s comprehensive research of the science of humor effects and life long involvement in education as a teacher, consultant, and innovator of the AATH Humor Academy have positioned her as the go- to resource in understanding the phenomenal impact of humor applied to our lives. Highly useable, this book gives us a blueprint for positive living …an invaluable insight in today’s world.
— Cheri Ellis Campbell Ph.D, Asst. Professor of Communication, University of Wisconsin, Waukesha
“What’s to smile about in these tough economic times? If you’re looking for a lift, check out Mary Kay Morrison’s new book, using Humor to Maximize Living. Accompanying the text are cartoons by Rockford’s own Bruce Quest”
“The purpose of this book is to affirm, sustain and encourage people in the practice of humor not only as a personal tool to optimize a healthy lifestyle, but to maximize the benefits of humor in everyday life”
“Morrison is an author, speaker and educator who has taught at virtually every level of the educational spectrum, while facilitating keynote presentations and workshop sessions for the past 30 years. Her work includes integrating what we know about applying cognitive research on both the emotions (particularly humor) to learning”
— Rock River Times