Self-Mockery from Sociology

I've managed to find a journal article that is specific to self-mockery, and which has provided me with a much needed theoretical resource to support my concluding points. Self-Mockery: An Alternative Form of Self Presentation is written by the sociologist Sheldon Ungar, and was published in 1984. I located the article in the 'Academic Search Complete' database and had to request if with 'document supply', and eventually had it provided by the British Library. Although the article may be dated, the points Ungar raises are still very relevant today and the following are particularly useful to my angle of enquiry:

"By revealing undesirable qualities, one can attenuate the feelings of envy and resentment that often accompany impressive images; such revelations can also decrease social distance among interactants."

"By calling attention to their own foibles, performers not only disarm others, but also affirm standards or rules in a fashion that is likely to augment positive sentiments among the participants. (Admissions of one's inadequacies can be infectious: other participants may be then likely to recount their own related foibles.)"   

"..brief ventures into the unserious realm allow the performer to reveal aspects of the self that would otherwise be out-of-place. Furthermore, one can reveal weaknesses or faults and, by viewing them in a humorous vein, still retain one’s dignity and status." 

The above quotations back-up notions which I had suspected were occurring – the idea that self-mockery is a social tool used by an individual to create positive feeling to those he presents himself to. Also, although originating from self-criticism, self mockery allows one to bring their flaws to the fore in a favourable manner. And then it can be seen to result back to a self-centred behaviour – used to gain social ground – which brings up the idea of a perpetual oscillation between self-mockery and narcissism. This 'see-saw' is very much at evidence in my practice, and although I see no solution to it yet, perhaps I can conclude this talk with my hopes to unravel it.