Three studies investigated the purposes of teasing and the reaction to it. The first study asked 26 college students to describe one instance when they were teased and one when they teased someone else. In addition, they were asked to explain why the teasing had occurred and why they categorized it as teasing. The second study, involving 24 students, focused specifically on the purposes and responses in a teasing episode, while the third, a survey of more than 250 students, examined how often individuals experienced each of the purposes and responses to teasing found in the initial studies. Results indicated the following: (1) teasing occurs primarily among friends and family members, (2) individuals attribute more positive than negative motives for teasers, (3) most responses to teasing are positive emotions, and (4) teasing is a daily communication activity. (Tables of findings and items from the questionnaire are appended.) (FL)