Laugh at Yourself and People Will Like You More, Study Finds
Mar 6th 2026
A Cornell led study of 3,000 plus people found that laughing at harmless everyday blunders makes you seem more likable and authentic, but the effect reverses if someone is hurt or harmed.
- People who laugh at harmless social mistakes are rated warmer, more competent, and more authentic than those who show visible embarrassment.
- The finding comes from six experiments with more than 3,000 participants published Feb. 26 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
- Laughter signals self acceptance and a proportional reaction, while overt embarrassment signals heightened self consciousness and insecurity.
- The likability boost applies only to benign mistakes; laughing after causing harm is judged as insensitive and reduces perceived morality and competence.
- Simple reframing and remembering the spotlight effect can help people shift from instinctive embarrassment to a humorous response.