Korsak А.А., Ivanova E.M. A Three-Component Model of Humor Development: From Simple Smile to Complex Comic Thinking
Anastasia A. Korsak , Master, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia; bld. 1–7, Ostrovityanova st., Moscow, Russia, 117513; https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4810-416X; a.a.korsak97@gmail.com
Elena M. Ivanova , PhD (Psychology), associate professor, senior researcher, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia; bld. 1–7, Ostrovityanova st., Moscow, Russia, 117513; Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia; bld. 34, Kashirskoe hwy., Moscow, Russia, 115522; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3616-9444; ivalenka13@gmail.com
There is a shortage of research on children's sense of humor compared to similar work on adults. However, such data are fragmented and heterogeneous.
The purpose of this work is to generalize and systematize domestic and foreign studies on the development of a sense of humor in children.
As part of this study, a narrative literature review was conducted using the following databases: eLibrary.Ru, Google Scholar, PubMed. When selecting publications, preference was given to studies from the last 30 years devoted to the development of a sense of humor. The search for literary sources was conducted primarily using the keywords: "humor", "development" + "sense of humor", "stages" + "development" + "sense of humor", "humor", "stages" + "development" + "humor", "stages" + "development" + "sense of humor".
A new periodization of the stages of sense-of-humor development is proposed, based on a cultural-historical approach and the idea of sensitive periods. The author's model is presented in the form of three components: physiological, cognitive, and emotional-personal. Considering these components, it is important to distinguish their key aspects. Thus, within the physiological component, the formation of facial and vocal reactions (smiles and laughter) occurs; within the cognitive component, the ability to understand and create humor develops; and within the emotional-personal component, individual preferences for the comic are reflected. The systematization and generalization of research data on the development of a sense of humor are carried out taking into account these components.
The development of all three components begins from birth. However, research shows that there are age stages that are most favorable for the formation of each component. These components develop not only in parallel, but also sequentially, replacing each other in terms of the period of their most active influence and lining up in a hierarchical structure.
Key words: humor, development of a sense of humor, stages of development of a sense of humor
For citation: Korsak, A.A., Ivanova E.M. (2025). A Three-Component Model of Humor Development: From Simple Smile to Complex Comic Thinking. New Psychological Research, No. 4, 12–36. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2025_05_04_01
Keywords: humor development of a sense of humor stages of development of a sense of humor
Received: 22nd december 2025
Published: 22nd december 2025