Testing Responses to Sarcasm Reviewed from Gender and Social Relationship Aspects Using Discourse Completion Task

Abstract

In Indonesia, use of language for sarcasm has recently increased. It exists in both men and women, and in all social interaction or relationships. This study conducted a survey with 270 respondents using a Discourse Completion Task or DCT. The purpose of this study was to investigate their responses to sarcasm reviewed from the aspect of gender and social relationship. The SPSS 24 was used to analyze the data through parametric test using one sample t-test. The results proved that responses to sarcasm varied significantly both from the aspect of gender and social relationship. From the aspect of gender, women who received sarcasm from the opposite sex or the same sex reacted more strongly (angrier or more opposing) than men. From the aspect of social relationship, someone who received sarcasm from a stranger reacted more strongly (angrier or more opposing) than other forms of social relationship. The implication of the study is that sarcasm is unhealthy and a threat to social communication. It is recommended to avoid sarcasm in interaction as much as possible with any reasons and situations because it can cause a gap or even a social conflict.