Putting yourself down in an aggressive or “poor me” fashion is called self-defeating humor. The late comedian Rodney Dangerfield would be an example (“I don’t get no respect” “I was an ugly baby”). Psychologically, this can be an unhealthy form of humor, and is sometimes used by targets of bullies to try to avoid attacks—making oneself the butt of jokes before others put you down.

This involves put-downs or insults targeted toward individuals. This is the humor that is used by more aggressive comedians—the put-down artists, such as Don Rickles or the late Joan Rivers. When it is intended to threaten or psychologically harm others, it is the type of humor used by bullies. While some of the audience to this type of humor will find it funny, others might laugh to cover up a feeling of discomfort.

This is being able to laugh at yourself, such as making a joke when something bad has happened to you. Trying to find the humor in everyday situations, and making yourself the target of the humor in a good-natured way. It is related to healthy coping with stress. Jon Stewart from the Daily Show often uses self-enhancing humor by saying things such as, “Maybe I just don’t understand,” or “I’m not the brightest guy.”

This involves telling jokes about things that everyone might find funny. The goal is to use humor to bring people together to find the humor in everyday life.
The goal is to create a sense of fellowship, happiness, and well-being. If you are fond of jokes about animals or everyday occurrences, then you are using affiliative humor.