There is a science hidden behind a lot of things, but ever wondered about a situation where you are being mocked, and despite the situation, we can’t help but wonder why, what makes people laugh at someone’s misery?
In order to understand it, we must find its very origin or say its roots. That takes us back to teenage and childhood, which is ideally the time when someone is mocked more than in adulthood. This has something to do about social interaction and lack of empathy as kids don’t realise the meaning behind certain things especially words that are spoke and it’s impact apart from the social behaviour, other factors like family and freinds play crucial role at internalising mockery as something as a joke which then is transfered and spread like a disease. Another obvious reason would be to appear superior in front of others, a common pattern of bullying.
But let’s dig a bit deeper!
The ‘Intimidation’ Theory
When somebody feels insecure or threatened by someone else’s intelligence, talent, success, appearance, or confidence, they may resort to making fun of that person. This is also known as a defence mechanism where they downplay their own insecurities by putting down their source of intimidation.
By highlighting the weakness in the other, they somehow appear superior, a proof that the other is dominant, and they are scared of that dominance, hence why they resort to mocking them. In simple words, it is to make themselves feel good. To some extent, this is also seen as a kind of narcissistic behaviour
To restore their wounded ego and their self-perception of superiority, a person experiencing narcissistic injury might lash out through aggressive mockery or even rage towards the person who caused the perceived threat. This is a desperate attempt to restore their grandiosity.
Then there are other theories associated with this propaganda
Leon Festinger– Social Comparison Theory
When individuals compare themselves to others, especially when they are lacking something. Sometimes this could be seen as motivational, but other times it is purely rivalry.
Aaron Kay– Compensatory Control Theory
All individuals have a sense of control in the world that includes both personal and external, but when personal control is disturbed or threatened, then their external control also shatters, leading to situations like Mockery, where they lose their external control and the only way to gain some control is by putting the subject down.
So the next time you are being mocked or laughed at, remember you are intimidating!
