What Do You Meme? Meme Humor Comprehension in Adolescents with Language Disorder or Hearing Loss

Authors

Lindsey Buxbaum MS, CCC-SLP, Wilmac Special Education Unit, Williston, ND
Holly F. Pedersen Ed.D., Department of Special Education, Minot State University
Cheryl Gilson Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Princeton Public Schools, Princeton, MN
Lesley Magnus Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Department of Communication Disorders, Minot State University

Abstract

Easy access to the internet allows adolescents to share humor, such as memes, via social media. This quasi-experimental study investigated whether there was a difference in the number of memes comprehended on an assessment test among adolescents who were typically developing, adolescents who were deaf or hard of hearing, and adolescents with language disorders. It also sought to determine if the meme’s picture, whether related to the text or unrelated, contributed to adolescents’ comprehension. Participants were given a short reading screening and a multiple-choice test of meme comprehension. Adolescents who were typically developing out-performed adolescents who were deaf or hard of hearing or who had language disorders. Supporting pictures did not appear to aid in meme comprehension. Findings from this study suggest the need for professionals to include direct instruction of humor when working with adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have language disorders.

Recommended Citation

Buxbaum, Lindsey MS, CCC-SLP; Pedersen, Holly F. Ed.D.; Gilson, Cheryl Ph.D., CCC-SLP; and Magnus, Lesley Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2022) "What Do You Meme? Meme Humor Comprehension in Adolescents with Language Disorder or Hearing Loss," The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship: Vol. 11: No. 1, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58729/2167-3454.1133
Available at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/josea/vol11/iss1/6