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Numerous studies have contributed to the empirical validation of a model covering putative causes, antecedents, and consequences of gelotophobia (see Ruch et al., 2014). Data from 73 countries showed that gelotophobic tendencies exist in many cultures (Proyer et al., 2009) and approximately 10% of samples in Germany show elevated signs of gelotophobia (Ruch & Proyer, 2008b). Geloto phobia was first observed in a clinical realm, but it is best understood as an individual differences variable in the normal population (Ruch and Proyer, 2008a, Ruch and Proyer, 2008b). They perceive all laughter to be directed at them irrespective of its true target (e.g., Papousek et al., 2009, Platt, 2008, Ruch and Proyer, 2008a).
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This is supported by their inability to discriminate between positively and negatively connoted laughter (e.g., Ruch, Altfreder, & Proyer, 2009) and almost paranoid sensitivity to laughter in their environment (e.g., when being in a restaurant or when passing strangers on the street). They experience laughter and smiling not as expressions of joy or happiness, but as ill-natured, malicious ridicule (e.g., Hofmann, Platt, Ruch, & Proyer, 2015). Those high in the fear of being laughed at (hereafter gelotophobes) are convinced of appearing ridiculous to others. We therefore used the Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model (APIM Cook & Kenny, 2005) to study the three laughter-related dispositions and RS in heterosexual romantic partnerships via actor and partner effects. Moreover, taking the interpersonal nature of these traits into account we also anticipated that they would contribute to how people develop, evaluate, and behave in romantic relationships. In line with findings on the contribution of broad personality traits to RS (e.g., Dyrenforth et al., 2010, Humbad et al., 2013, Malouff et al., 2010 see also Weidmann, Ledermann, & Grob, 2016), we expect that the narrow laughter-related traits would be associated with romantic couples’ RS. More importantly, joint laughter was a positive predictor of participants’ relationship satisfaction (RS). Kurtz and Algoe (2015) analyzed videotaped interactions of 77 romantic couples and found that they differed in the frequency of the initiation of laughter and incidents of joint laughter ( M = 3.55, SD = 3.58, 0–20 events). For example, the occurrence of laughter (the behavior) in dyadic interactions predicts the interest in meeting an unacquainted person of the opposite sex (e.g., Grammer and Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1990, Hall, 2015). Previous findings have suggested that dispositions towards laughter could play a role in romantic life. We aim at narrowing a gap in the literature by examining the role of three individual differences variables describing reactions towards ridicule and being laughed at in romantic couples namely, the fear of being laughed at ( gelotophobia gelos = Greek for “laughter”), the joy of being laughed at ( gelotophilia), and the joy of laughing at others ( katagelasticism katagelao = Greek for “laughing at”). Contrary to practical wisdom (e.g., “laughter is the best medicine”) there are also those for whom laughter is not an enjoyable experience (for an overview see Ruch, Hofmann, Platt, & Proyer, 2014). There are inter-individual differences in the propensity to initiate laughter and how people react to being exposed to laughter and ridicule. The uses and functions of humor in romantic relationships have been studied (e.g., Bressler et al., 2006, Hall, 2017, Li et al., 2009, Weisfeld et al., 2011), but little is known about the role of dispositions towards ridicule and being laughed at. People value laughter and humor-related dispositions in a long-term partner (e.g., Buss, 1988, Chick et al., 2012, Miller, 2000, Sprecher and Regan, 2002, Wilbur and Campbell, 2011) and there is evidence that (sense of) humor is an indicator of cognitive ability and promoter of intimacy (e.g., Darwin, 1872/1965, Greengross and Miller, 2011 see also Kaufman, Kozbelt, Brombley, & Miller, 2008). Finding and maintaining a romantic relationship is amongst humans’ most important enterprises.