Dr. Martin is a Professor of Clinical Psychology. He has been studying humor and its relationship to psychological well-being since 1979. He has authored more than 50 scholarly journal articles and book chapters on this topic, and has recently published a book entitled The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach, which provides a comprehensive review of humor research in all areas of psychology. He has developed several humor measures, which have been translated into numerous languages. In his recent research, he has focused on the distinction between beneficial and detrimental styles of humor and their effects on interpersonal relationships and coping with life stress.
His research has been featured in numerous national and international newspaper and magazine articles and radio and television programs. He is a board member of the International Society for Humor Studies and serves on the editorial board of Humor: International Journal of Humor Research.
Awards and Credentials
- Registered clinical psychologist, Ontario
- Annual Book Award, Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, 2007
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, 2008
- University Students’ Council Teaching Award of Excellence, 2008
Related Links
Recommended Reading List
- The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach. Martin, R. A. (2007). Elsevier Academic Press.
- “Humor and Health.” Martin, R. A. (2008). The Primer of Humor Research. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
- “Is Laughter the Best Medicine?: Humor, Laughter, and Physical Health.” Martin, R. A. (2002). Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11.
