Psychological Functions of Humor as a Tool for Reducing Social Tension in Heterogeneous Audiencesу

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the psychological functions of humor as a tool for reducing social tension in heterogeneous audiences. The study is based on a systematization of publications devoted to emotional regulation, cognitive processing of stressful stimuli, intercultural adaptation, and group resilience. It examines the mechanisms through which humor influences anxiety, physiological stress, and reactivity, as well as the features of humor perception under conditions of information overload, conflict, and audience heterogeneity. Special attention is given to the relationship between humor, parameters of psychological safety, and the integration of users into new digital environments. The findings show that a combination of emotional, cognitive, and social factors contributes to reduced tension and strengthened feelings of belonging. The article analyzes variations in humor effectiveness, the role of self-irony, playful rituals, and meme forms in overcoming cultural barriers, and the conditions under which humor loses its mitigating effect and may increase resistance. It is established that the regulatory potential of humor is determined by the perceived intent of communication, the level of participant autonomy, and the nature of the social environment. Humor functions as a multi-layered mechanism of adaptation, influencing emotional resilience, the quality of intercultural interaction, and group dynamics. The article is of interest to researchers studying communication psychology and social regulation, specialists in media behavior and digital communities, and practitioners working with online audiences and tension-mitigation tools.