Frankl’s approach here resembles what Martin et al. (2003) refer to as affiliative humor: interpersonal
humor that facilitates communication, establishes and strengthens ties between
individuals, reduces tensions, and increases both parties’ sense of well-being: “An essentially
non-hostile, tolerant use of humor that is affirming of self and others and presumably enhances
interpersonal cohesiveness and attraction” (p. 53). By turning affiliatively toward his workmate
for support under extreme duress and introducing humor as a “weapon” against despair, the
defensive function of Frankl’s actions are clear. But they do something more: They create a
new relational experience out of nothingness, out of bleak and painful work merely side by side.
Frankl goes on to argue cogently for the transcendent nature of such actions: