Why Do We Laugh When Someone Falls?

This is a special video just for YouTube Comedy Week!!!

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Read More About This Topic:

Why Do We Laugh When Someone Falls

Science Of Comedy

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Vsauce Links

[ianlim]

Whenever my teacher says "why did you think that was funny?" I will recite this entire speech

[RosariaDF]

Really interesting. I think another reason for the laughter might be a social thing. Maybe it's a subconscious reaction to let others know that it's OK and not a stressful situation.

[kyzer]

But if laughter is caused by something unexpected, then why do you sometimes laugh when you knew what was going to happen?

[soulchorea]

Yeah but sometimes the other person is not ok and I have to leave the room so I can crack up

[HypeMyke]

This is true because when i imagine other peoples thoughts to something funny, i start to laugh even more

[SkateRay]

*person falls*
"You okay?"
"yeah"
"HAHAHA!!"

[IanTheEnchanter]

"Why did you laugh?"
"He's gonna tell us..."
XD

[JavaDebo]

Is it weird that I never laughed when someone falls or get hurt? I never understood why people can enjoy other people pains. I mostly fake laugh just to fit in.

[TonPhilou]

"Why is laughter such a common and universal response to someone falling?" (1:12) Vsauce2, Have you ever thought about extending your research beyond the USA? Is the rest of the world laughing in response to someone falling? Not in my experience. Of all the countries I visited, only Americans have this reaction. Perhaps it's time to revise your theory, as it seems to be deeply cultural. As babies, we mimic everything, even what is supposed to be instinctive. When you hurt yourself you say "ouch!", but in Europe, people say "aie!". So if we can go as far as instinctively mimicking our peers, we can also "learn" what to laugh at.  

[SangoProductions]

"Why do you laugh at that?"
"Because it's funny."
Enough said?

[frevelynnava]

It happened to me on 4th grade when we are class was going outside school and it happened, I was laughing at my friend and she falled down on a girl and i got in trouble and the others girls said, "Don't Laugh At Someone When They Fall Down". And I Cried :(

[amantheosm]

My friend fell hard on concrete after slipping on some nearby wet grass. His hands were in his coat pockets so he didn't get to catch himself. I was trying to ask if he was okay but I couldn't stop laughing at him. He got up and we continued to run to his car, so I guess he was fine.

[Thelevelupsstatus]

I bit my tounge when he said Iceland.
I'm Icelandic!

[simlover]

i heard somewhere that u laugh at falls because you were expecting them to get hurt and when they don't, laughter is ur relief

[FreakigesSternchen]

This phenomenon even has a name: In German it's called "Schadenfreude" "Schaden" means damage and "Freude" means joy, meaning the enjoyment of misfortune others.

[AwsumNb]

In primary school I always got in trouble for laughing at people falling over or something along those lines.

Wish I could have shown them this video...

[tirarose]

I like how they're people here talking about "oh I am mature so I don't laugh when someone falls.." And blah blah blah. Like stfu nobody cares what you do or don't do. Just enjoy the video and get a life. 😅😅😅

[YossarianLives]

I once saw a rather round guy fall and roll down the stairs in a movie theater. I laughed, then immediately felt really guilty, luckily he didn't get hurt. This makes me feel a little better.

[darkdarklink]

I loved this episode's format! It was like... It's like somehow jake ended up with Michael's brain... and energy... and movements...

[bbbunniess]

I'm not a rude person so I don't laugh when someone falls and gets hurt I just give them a hand😊💯