Why Do Some People ‘Laugh’ When They’re Nervous?

Some people laugh when they're nervous because it helps them feel better. When someone feels shy or scared, laughing can be a way to hide their feelings and make themselves feel stronger. It's like pretending you're not worried so you can act like you're happy instead.

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A child laughs nervously when asked to sing in front of their class.
  2. A teenager giggles while giving a speech even though they're really scared.
  3. Someone laughs at their own joke during an interview, even if it's not that funny.

Ask a question

See also

Loading…

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Psychology · nervous laughter,psychology of emotions,laughter