Analysis of humor styles, problem solving and self- esteem of prospective teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a difference among prospective  teachers in terms of humor styles, problem solving skills and self- esteem in regard to gender variable and whether there is a relation among humor styles, problem solving and self- esteem. The data of the study have been gathered through Humor Styles Scale, Problem Solving Inventory, Self- Esteem Scale and Personal Information Form. The sample of the study is composed of randomly selected 442 prospective  teachers (251 female, 191 male) studying at various departments of Education Faculty of Selcuk University. Statistical analysis of the data has been carried out by independent t test and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. It is observed that there is not a significant difference between the average scores of affiliative humor and self-enhancing humor styles, when the humor styles of prospective  teachers are analysed in regard to gender. However it is observed that the difference between the average scores of aggressive humor and self-defeating humor is significant. Moreover, a significant and positive relation has been observed between self- esteem and affiliative and self-enhancing humor and a significant and negative relation has been observed between self- esteem and aggressive and self-defeating humor. Through an increase of positive problem solving approach, self- esteem, affiliative and self-enhancing humor are also increasing and aggressive and self-defeating humor are decreasing