The current study examines what, if any, effects law school has on individuals’ sense of humor, both in the short-term and in the long-term. I start by reviewing what past research has reveled in regards to the relationship between law school and overall well-being. I then briefly touch upon the work that has been done on the relationship between well-being and humor. I posit that this study will coincide with the previous research that has been done on law school and well-being, and will expand upon the relationship between law school and humor. If the hypotheses lend true, this study will show the negative effect that law school has on sense of humor and how this persists into the future.
It is a common phrase among the legal profession …show more content…
Research conducted by Kennon M. Sheldon and Lawrence S. Krieger (2004) examined the effects that law school has on subjective well-being (SWB), motivation, and values over the course of one’s law school career. Participants in this study were evaluated during 4 different time frames: In August 2000 during a group orientation meeting on their first day of law school, in March 2001, in early November 2001, and then lastly in early November 2002 (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). The results of the study found when compared to an undergraduate sample, those entering law school actually had higher positive affect, higher life satisfaction, and higher overall SWB (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). These results were consistent with earlier research, and were used to show that students are not entering law school with pre-existing distress, nor do law students necessarily exhibit any detrimental personality traits (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). However, after looking at the responses from March 2001, only seven months later, the results showed that overall individuals experienced large reductions in positive affect, life satisfaction, and overall SWB (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). The results also showed increases in negative affect, depression, and physical symptoms (Sheldon & Kreiger, 2004). Even more striking, is that the results from the November 2001 and 2002 evaluations showed that the overall levels of SWB
It is a common phrase among the legal profession …show more content…
Research conducted by Kennon M. Sheldon and Lawrence S. Krieger (2004) examined the effects that law school has on subjective well-being (SWB), motivation, and values over the course of one’s law school career. Participants in this study were evaluated during 4 different time frames: In August 2000 during a group orientation meeting on their first day of law school, in March 2001, in early November 2001, and then lastly in early November 2002 (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). The results of the study found when compared to an undergraduate sample, those entering law school actually had higher positive affect, higher life satisfaction, and higher overall SWB (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). These results were consistent with earlier research, and were used to show that students are not entering law school with pre-existing distress, nor do law students necessarily exhibit any detrimental personality traits (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). However, after looking at the responses from March 2001, only seven months later, the results showed that overall individuals experienced large reductions in positive affect, life satisfaction, and overall SWB (Sheldon & Krieger, 2004). The results also showed increases in negative affect, depression, and physical symptoms (Sheldon & Kreiger, 2004). Even more striking, is that the results from the November 2001 and 2002 evaluations showed that the overall levels of SWB