2007-05-21 06:27:13 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
people are mean - mean people suck!
2007-05-21 06:29:48 · answer #1 · answered by kelbean 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because its just kinda funny seeing a person standing there one second and face-fisrt into the ground the next. Its kinda mean, but its human nature to enjoy someone else's misfortune. When someone falls, we laugh b/c we're glad that its not us. And if it weren't for ppl falling down and tripping, America's Funniest Home Videos would not still be on tv. So next time you trip and fall and everyone laughs, jump up, smile and take a bow. Doesn't it make you feel good to know that you made everyone else feel good that they're not you?
2007-05-21 06:38:05 · answer #2 · answered by Heartagram 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most of these answers, besides being crap, are just untrue. There is a type of comedy called "slapstick", which is essentially the usage of body gestures or physical movement to induce laughter. I don't recall the technical name for it, but its similar to a psychological term called the "pattern interrupt." The pattern interrupt is when someone does something sudden and unexpect to, essentially, interrupt someone else's pattern or routine. Since it is unexpected, the human nervous system naturally reacts to it emotionally with tension. When this tension is released (as someone mentioned earlier, when we realize no one is actually going to get hurt), the result is laughter. It's similar to when someone jumps out of the closet to scare us. Initially we feel some fear, and then it's released when we release it's just a friend, or when someone gives us a cold response, only to smirk to let us know they're just being sarcastic.
2007-05-21 07:01:40 · answer #3 · answered by JudasHero 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well no one really knows why exactly. I guess one day when some guy tripped over in front of millions and people, one guy in the crowd found it kinda amusing and as laughter is contagious, so did everyone else. So now whenever someone falls over, we laugh because its what our ancestors did. So dont blame yourself, its in your genes!
2007-05-21 06:37:11 · answer #4 · answered by Lynne 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is a little danager happening. Then people laugh because they feel relief.
2007-05-21 06:34:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's nervous laughter...kinda of like, "Whew! Thank goodness isn't ME everyone is staring at!" Are you asking if it is okay to laugh at someone who trips? It depends on whether the person was doing something stupid or not. If someone is acting like a fool and attempting to draw attention to themselves, yuck it up. If someone twists their ankle in a pothole trying to cross the street before a taxi plows them over, politely offer to help and ask if they are okay.
2007-05-21 06:33:54 · answer #6 · answered by susann 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's funny because it usually happens out of nowhere. Then if you continue to play it in your head, it is even more funny.
2007-05-21 07:24:41 · answer #7 · answered by bluegirl5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are happy that they are the ones that didn't trip
2007-05-21 06:30:45 · answer #8 · answered by Undertaker 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no, i laugh because they look so undignified and then they look around to see if anyone has witnessed their trip.. its sooo funny, i can't help it.........
2007-05-21 06:35:16 · answer #9 · answered by chris w. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it looks funny - not because they hope you got hurt. It looks "slapstick".
2007-05-21 06:36:36 · answer #10 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think its because they are grate full that they are the ones that didn't trip
2007-05-21 06:32:25 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋