Skip to Main Content

Clinical Psychology and Special Education
2025. Vol. 14, no. 3, 100–116
doi:10.17759/cpse.2025140307
ISSN: 2304-0394 (online)

Perceptual defense and perceptual vigilance in emotions recognizing task in gelotophobia predisposition

 
Audio is AI-generated
16

,

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar
Metrics

Abstract

Context and relevance. Gelotophobia as fear of being laughed at was initially conceptualized as a neurotic symptom that subsequently showed considerable variability in non-clinical samples. One of the main features related to gelotophobia is the tendency to interpret others’ smiles as less joyful and more scornful or malicious than non-gelotophobes do. This misattribution of smiles may impair adequate social integration of these individuals. Objective. The aim of the present issue was to examine whether these difficulties are related to a decrease in the accuracy of emotion recognition or to the specificity of processing successfully recognized emotions under the influence of perceptual strategies (perceptual defense and perceptual vigilance). Hypothesis. Perceptual strategies prolong the processing of emotional expression recognition, and hindering their work leads to an increase in errors specific to the hindered perceptual strategy. The strategies change the priority of processing stimuli with the aim of most quickly identifying (perceptual vigilance) or systematically ignoring their unpleasant aspects (perceptual defense). Methods and materials. Subjects (N = 202) were asked to identify four emotions (happiness, fear, anger, sadness, presented in Ogama 5.0.1) by facial expression and by the situation of experience as quickly and accurately as possible. The effectiveness of following these instructions was compared in conditions when the facial expression of emotion corresponded to the situation of experience and did not correspond. Gelotophobes and non-gelotophobes were compared according to the Mann–Whitney and Wilcoxon criteria. Results. Gelotophobes take longer but identify more accurately the expression of just happiness when stimuli are consistent (the facial expression and experimental circumstances refer to the same emotion), demonstrating both perceptual vigilance and perceptual defense. Statistically common error is that gelotophobes confuse a smile with an expression of fear. Conclusions. When stimuli are inconsistent, gelotophobes make more errors, indicating perceptual defense that extends to the recognition of all four emotions, not just happiness. Ignoring unpleasant aspects functions as an avoidance mechanism, the basic fear response pattern that underlies gelotophobia.

General Information

Keywords: gelotophobia, fear of being laughed at, gaze discrimination, perceptual defense, perceptual vigilance, facial expression, emotional categorization

Journal rubric: Empirical Research

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140307

Received 01.04.2025

Revised 15.09.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Klimova, K.K., Kravchenko, Yu.E. (2025). Perceptual defense and perceptual vigilance in emotions recognizing task in gelotophobia predisposition. Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 14(3), 100–116. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140307

© Klimova K.K., Kravchenko Yu.E., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

  1. Брунер, Дж. (1977). Психология познания. За пределами непосредственной информации. М.: Прогресс.
    Bruner, J. (1977). Psychology of cognition. Beyond the information given. Moscow: Progress. (In Russ.)
  2. Казаковцев, Б.А., Демчева, Н.К., Яздовская, А.В., Сидорюк, О.В., Николаева, Т.А. (2020). Психиатрическая помощь населению Российской Федерации в 2019 году: Аналитический обзор. М.: ФГБУ «НМИЦПН им. В.П. Сербского» Минздрава России.
    Kazakovtsev, B.A., Demcheva, N.K., Yazdovskaya, A.V., Sidoryuk, O.V., Nikolaeva, T.A. (2020). Psychiatric care for the population of the Russian Federation in 2019: An analytical review. Moscow: National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology named after V.P. Serbsky of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. (In Russ.).
  3. Климова, К.К., Кравченко, Ю.Е. (2022). Особенности распознавания эмоций и управления ими при гелотофобии. Клиническая и специальная психология, 11(4), 92—113. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2022110404
    Klimova, K.K., Kravchenko, Yu.E. (2022). Understanding and managing emotions in gelotophobia. Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 11(4), 92—113. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2022110404
  4. Стефаненко, Е.А., Иванова, Е.М., Пройер, Р., Рух, В., Ениколопов, С.Н. (2011). Диагностика страха выглядеть смешным: русскоязычная адаптация опросника гелотофобии. Психологический журнал, 32(2), 94—108.
    Stefanenko, E.A., Ivanova, E.M., Proyer, R., Ruch, V., Enikolopov, S. (2011). The fear of being laughed at diagnostics: Russian adaptation of gelotophobia questionnaire. Psikhologicheskii zhurnal, 32(2), 94—108. (In Russ.).
  5. Akhtar, M., Maroof, S., Khan, S.R. (2021). Estimates of gelotophobia and perceived stress among obese individuals. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 71(1(A)), 81—85. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.635
  6. Brauer, K., Sendatzki, R., Proyer, R.T. (2021). Testing the associations between dispositions toward ridicule and being laughed at and romantic jealousy in couples: An APIM analysis. Journal of personality, 89(5), 883—898. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12621
  7. Bruner, J.S., Postman, L. (1949). On the perception of incongruity: a paradigm. Journal of Personality, 18, 206—223. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1949.tb01241.x
  8. Chang, H., Chan, Y.C., Chen, I.F., Chen, H.C. (2025). Resting-state functional connectivity in gelotophobes: A neuroscientific perspective on the fear of laughter. Behavioural brain research, 479, 115355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115355
  9. Cisler, J.M., Koster, E.H.W. (2010). Mechanisms of attentional biases towards threat in anxiety disorders: An integrative review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(2), 203—216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.003
  10. Del Moral, G., Canestrari, C., Muzi, M., Suárez-Relinque, C., Carrieri, A., & Fermani, A. (2022). Parental attachment and satisfaction with social life: The mediating role of gelotophobia. Psicothema, 34(3), 437—445. https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2021.437
  11. Fox, E. (2002). Processing emotional facial expressions: The role of anxiety and awareness. Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, 2(1), 52—63. https://doi.org/10.3758/CABN.2.1.52
  12. Hofmann, S.G., Hay, A.C. (2018). Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 55, 14—21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.03.004
  13. Murray, A., Mannion, A., Chen, J.L., Leader, G. (2022). Gaming disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 52(6), 2762—2769. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05138-x
  14. Platt, T., Ruch, W. (2009). The emotions of gelotophobes: Shameful, fearful, and joyless? Humor — International Journal of Humor Research, 22(1-2), 91—110. https://doi.org/1515/HUMR.2009.005
  15. Proyer, R.T., Ruch, W. (2010). Enjoying and fearing laughter: Personality characteristics of gelotophobes, gelotophiles, and katagelasticists. Psychological Test and Assessment Modeling, 52(2), 148—160. https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-34689
  16. Ruch, W., Beermann, U., Proyer, R. (2009). Investigating the humor of gelotophobes: Does feeling ridiculous equal being humorless? Humor — International Journal of Humor Research, 22(1-2), 111—143. https://doi.org/10.1515/HUMR.2009.006
  17. Rêgo, T.S., Pires, D.E.S., Melo, E.M., Aristizabal, J.P., Pereira Jr, A., (2022). The association between trait anxiety and the fear of being laughed at in college: A preliminary study with a Brazilian sample. Brain and behavior, 12(11), e2757. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2757
  18. Ruch, W., Proyer, R.T. (2008). The fear of being laughed at: Individual and group differences in gelotophobia. Humor — International Journal of Humor Research, 21(1), 47—67. https://doi.org/10.1515/humor.2008.002
  19. Ruch, W., Proyer, R.T. (2008). Who fears being laughed at? The location of gelotophobia in the PEN model of personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 44(7), 1296—1307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2007.11.005
  20. Ruch, W., Stahlmann, A.G. (2023). Toward a dynamic model of Gelotophobia: Social support, workplace bullying and stress are connected with diverging trajectories of life and job satisfaction among Gelotophobes. Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), 42(19), 16368—16380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01046-y
  21. Ruch, W., Hofmann, J., Platt, T. (2015). Individual differences in gelotophobia and responses to laughter-eliciting emotions. Personality and Individual Differences, 72, 117—121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.08.034
  22. Ruch, W., Platt, T., Hofmann, J., Niewiadomski, R., Urbain, J., Mancini, M., Dupont, S. (2014). Gelotophobia and the challenges of implementing laughter into virtual agents interactions. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00928
  23. Ruch, W., Stahlmann, A.G. (2023). Toward a dynamic model of Gelotophobia: Social support, workplace bullying and stress are connected with diverging trajectories of life and job satisfaction among Gelotophobes. Current Psychology, 42, 16368—16380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01046-y
  24. Scherer, K.R., Wallbott, H.G., Summerfield, A.B. (Eds.). (1986). Experiencing Emotion: A Cross–cultural Study. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  25. Stieger, S., Volsa, S., Willinger, D., Lewetz, D., Batinic, B. (2024). Laughter in everyday life: an event-based experience sampling method study using wrist-worn wearables. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1296955. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1296955
  26. Sulejmanov, F., Petr, K., Gambová, J., Platt, T., Seitl, M. (2024). Exposure to workplace bullying: the incremental effect of gelotophobia beyond the big five. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1400940. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1400940
  27. Titze, M. (2009). Gelotophobia: The fear of being laughed at. Humor — International Journal of Humor Research, 22(1-2), 27—48. https://doi.org/10.1515/HUMR.2009.002
  28. Torres-Marín, J., Carretero-Dios, H., Eid, M. (2022). The fear of being laughed at, social anxiety, and paranoid ideation: A multilevel confirmatory factor analysis of multitrait-multimethod data. Assessment, 29(6), 1285—1300. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911211010961
  29. Torres-Marín, J., Carretero-Dios, H., Acosta, A., Lupiáñez, J. (2017). Eye contact and fear of being laughed at in a gaze discrimination task. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1954. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01954
  30. Tottenham, N., Tanaka, J.W., Leon, A.C., McCarry, T., Nurse, M., Hare, T.A., Marcus, D.J., Westerlund, A., Casey, B.J., Nelson, C. (2009). The NimStim set of facial expressions: Judgments from untrained research participants. Psychiatry Research, 168(3), 242—249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2008.05.006
  31. Treichel, N., Dukes, D., Meuleman, B., Van Herwegen, J., Samson, A.C. (2023). “Not in the mood”: The fear of being laughed at is better predicted by humor temperament traits than diagnosis in neurodevelopmental conditions. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 137, 104513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104513
  32. Vagnoli, L., Brauer, K., Addarii, F., Ruch, W., Marangi, V. (2022). Fear of being laughed at in Italian healthcare workers: Testing associations with humor styles and coping humor. Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), 1—11. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03043-9
  33. Volovik, D.D., Omelchenko, M.A., Ivanova, A.M. (2021). Emotional response to humour perception and gelotophobia among healthy individuals and patients with schizophrenia and depression, with signs of a high clinical risk of psychosis. Consortium Psychiatricum, 2(1), 8—17. https://doi.org/10.17816/CP65
  34. Voutsa, M.C., Hatzithomas, L., Tsichla, E., Boutsouki, C. (2022). Face reading the emotions of gelotophobes toward disparaging humorous advertising. The European Journal of Humour Research, 10(3), 88—112. https://doi.org/10.7592/EJHR.2022.10.3.631

Information About the Authors

Kseniia K. Klimova, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Psychology, Institute for Social Sciences, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2163-4996, e-mail: klimova-kk@ranepa.ru

Yunna E. Kravchenko, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3351-123X, e-mail: asunaro@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Kseniia K. Klimova — ideas; writing and design of the manuscript; planning of the research; conducting the research; application of statistical, mathematical or other methods for data analysis; data collection and analysis; visualization of research results.

Yunna E. Kravchenko — ideas, annotation; writing of the manuscript; application of statistical, mathematical or other methods for data analysis; control over the research; data collection and analysis; visualization of research results.

All authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The study was reviewed and approved by the Commission on Intra-University Surveys and Ethical Assessment of Empirical Research Projects of ISS RANEPA (report no 3, 2024/09/01).

Metrics

 Web Views

Whole time: 89
Previous month: 61
Current month: 7

 PDF Downloads

Whole time: 16
Previous month: 13
Current month: 1

 Total

Whole time: 105
Previous month: 74
Current month: 8