Humor and Creative Life Styles

This paper is based upon the writings of William James in the late 19^th century, and Alfred Adler and Sigmund Freud in the 20^th, enriched by the contributions of later personality and role theorists. The self is defined as the unique organization of each person; a style is the self in action. Different life styles and their components are expressed in different situations. I posit that humor and positive thinking, combined with meaning and purpose, are vital components of all constructive life styles. The knowledge of life styles cuts through diagnostic labels to reveal our universal humanity. It can be fruitfully applied to patients and nonpatients alike and, I found, for the self understanding of therapist. The clinical application of life styles is illustrated through numerous vignettes.