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Review

The Role of Humor in Inoculation Theory

by
Josh Compton
1 and
Sander van der Linden
2,*
1
Speech at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
2
Department of Psychology, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040502
Submission received: 27 February 2026 / Revised: 23 March 2026 / Accepted: 24 March 2026 / Published: 27 March 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Media Effects and Humor)

Abstract

Inoculation is serious business, but that does not mean it cannot be viewed through a perspective of humor, nor that humor cannot be part of the process of attitude resistance. This applies to both medical and communication-based inoculation, with scientists examining how humor could function as an adjuvant and facilitate resistance to persuasive attacks. Though relatively limited, considerations of humor have been part of inoculation theory from the beginning—dating back from McGuire’s seminal 1964 review to the prominent role of humor in modern gamified inoculation interventions against misinformation. In this article, we explore humor’s role in inoculation theory, review emerging research, and propose promising directions for future theory and application.
Keywords: inoculation theory; humor; resistance to persuasion; misinformation inoculation theory; humor; resistance to persuasion; misinformation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Compton, J.; van der Linden, S. The Role of Humor in Inoculation Theory. Behav. Sci. 2026, 16, 502. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040502

AMA Style

Compton J, van der Linden S. The Role of Humor in Inoculation Theory. Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 16(4):502. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040502

Chicago/Turabian Style

Compton, Josh, and Sander van der Linden. 2026. "The Role of Humor in Inoculation Theory" Behavioral Sciences 16, no. 4: 502. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040502

APA Style

Compton, J., & van der Linden, S. (2026). The Role of Humor in Inoculation Theory. Behavioral Sciences, 16(4), 502. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040502

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