Why Do People Laugh When They're Nervous?

Sometimes, when people are feeling nervous, they laugh, it’s like a funny way to hide their fear. Imagine you’re about to speak in front of a big group, and you start giggling instead of panicking. That laughter might help you feel less scared, even if you don’t know why.

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Examples

A student starts laughing when their teacher calls them out in class.
A child giggles nervously while being interviewed for a job.
Someone bursts into laughter after tripping during an important presentation.

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Categories: Psychology · nervous laughter,emotional response,social psychology