Although humor and laughter are most often based in fundamental social interactions, this element of communication has received little attention. To examine the socially facilitating effects of communication and social acceptance by analyzing children's intrapersonal perceptions of communication apprehension, or shyness, 169 children, aged 8 to 13 years, completed the Shyness/Humor Inventory. In addition, subjects completed the Classroom Social Distance Scale, interpersonal humor ratings, sociometric nominations, and locus of control and self-esteem measures. The results of a factor analysis of the Shyness/Humor Inventory found five distinct factors (Ebullience, Communication Apprehension, Stranger Anxiety, Humorousness, Classroom Communication) to be significant predictors of classroom social distance and humor ratings, positive sociometric nomination scores, and two related intrapersonal perceptions of self-esteem and locus of control. Classroom social distance ratings were most strongly predicted by children's interpersonal perceptions of humorousness, as well as their positive sociometric nominations, ages, and intrapersonal perceptions of locus of control and shyness. The findings suggest the necessity of interpersonal communication with regard to the socially facilitating effects of humor. (BL)