Find Your Program

Or browse by

Browse our programs

Nervous Laughter Explained

Learn the causes of nervous laughter and how psychology can help.

Imagine a professor in your BS in Psychology program asks you to participate in a psychology research study. When you arrive at the appointment, you are directed to another study participant who is wired to a machine. You are told to ask the other participant a series of questions. If they answer a question wrong, you are to push a button that releases an electric charge, shocking the participant.

This was exactly what happened in the 1960s during a series of experiments administered by Dr. Stanley Milgram, a professor at Yale University. What Dr. Milgram discovered during his now-famous study is that participants who were asked to administer the shocks often laughed while inflicting pain on others. (The shocks were not actually real, but the participants administering them believed they were.)1

So why did those in the study laugh when they thought they were inflicting pain?

""
""

What Causes Nervous Laughter?

People do not laugh during uncomfortable or even tragic situations because they believe that their circumstances are funny. In fact, just the opposite is true. Psychologists agree that nervous laughter is the body’s way of dealing with stress, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions that the mind is struggling to process.

One study, conducted by Yale psychology researcher Dr. Oriana Aragon, suggests that nervous laughter may be a form of self-regulation. Dr. Aragon’s research aims to show the psychological benefits of incongruous emotional displays—when a person expresses an emotion that doesn’t match the expected reaction in a given situation. For example, a person who laughs when delivering bad news may be experiencing their body’s way of balancing negative and positive stimuli to restore emotional equilibrium.1

Some scientists also believe that an incongruous emotional reaction, such as crying at a wedding or smiling at a funeral, may simply be a natural reaction to an overwhelming situation.2

Is There Anything Wrong With Nervous Laughter?

Nervous or inappropriate laughter, like any other strong emotional reaction, is not inherently good or bad. In fact, laughing nervously is a very common and completely normal behavior. Many people think nervous laughter may even be good, as the simple act of laughing can help an anxious mind find calm and peace. Laughter, overall, is good for humans, and expressing it may be your body’s coping method in stressful situations. Of course, the problem is that there are many times when it can seem awkward or inappropriate to others.

How to Reduce Nervous Laughter

If you know you are prone to inappropriate reactions of any kind, there are ways to reduce occurrences: Practice meditation and mindfulness. Adopting a mindfulness practice, which can include yoga, breathing, or meditation, may help you control your emotions in stressful situations.

Research causes to understand your triggers. There is a lot of research about emotional regulation, and understanding some of the psychological research may help you identify situations that have the potential to challenge your own reactions.

Explore behavioral therapy. A practicing psychologist can help you identify behaviors and strategies that exacerbate disruptive behaviors.

Earn Your Psychology Degree Online From Walden

If you want to learn more about human behavior, consider the BS in Psychology program at Walden University. This online bachelor’s degree in psychology offers a foundation in psychology research and principles, preparing you to pursue a career helping others find balance in their lives.

As a student in Walden’s online BS in Psychology program, you can take General Psychology or choose a career-focused concentration to learn about the population with whom you hope to work. Concentrations include:

Addiction
Child and Adolescent Development
Criminal Justice
Forensic Psychology
Human Services

You can also pursue the Accelerate Into Master’s option, which allows you to earn credits toward one of Walden’s online master’s programs.

Become an advocate for mental health with a BS in Psychology. Speak to a Walden Enrollment Specialist to learn more.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Psychology degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.psychologicalscience.org/news/were-only-human/nervous-laughter-tears-of-joy.html 
2Source: www.discovermagazine.com/mind/why-we-laugh-at-the-most-inappropriate-times-and-what-it-says-about-us

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

Note on licensure: The BS in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology or counseling professional.

Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: Contact Information
  • Step 2: Academic Interests

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member?*

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 866-492-5336. For telephonic communications, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. To opt out of communications via text messaging reply STOP or HELP for help or call 866-492-5336. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.