REVEALED: Mocking posts jokes memes - The Real Truth

Making fun of yourself can be healthy. We all might need a reality check sometimes, to keep our arrogance intact, and a self-deprecating joke might be the best medicine for that. Scientific research also shows that we tend to like people who can crack a joke about themselves from time to time.

A 2017 Japanese study revealed that self-deprecating humor was "perceived as socially desirable" and that we favor people who use such humor. On the other hand, if we know self-deprecating jokesters closely, we're more likely to think that the jokes are coming from an insecure place and they lack self-confidence.

When we think of friends, most of us associate them with laughter. Having a similar sense of humor is important in friendships, as 82% of young people deem sense of humor as an important quality in an ideal friend. In fact, it's the most important trait for youngsters aged 10-17, above honesty and kindness.

At work, self-deprecating jokes might be useful if you're a leader. A 2016 study found that employees associate a leader's sense of humor to their effectiveness. If a manager or boss is able to laugh at themselves, the subordinates are more likely to trust them.

There's something about humor that makes us automatically think the person is more confident. Even when a joke doesn't land or is deemed inappropriate, we still view the teller as a confident person.

Researchers tested this out with Swiss tourism ad announcers. When they included a little joke in the advertisement, the audience rated the announcer who said the joke as being more confident and competent than a serious one. Some even thought he was the leader.

Self-deprecating humor might illicit automatic trust in people because it requires vulnerability. "People who tend to use self-deprecating humor effectively are quite humble and self-aware," clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo says. "For me, it is not making fun of yourself; it is taking yourself, or the situation that you’re in, less seriously."

But self-deprecating jokes don't always land. They almost always come with a certain kind of risk. Sometimes, people perceive people who use self-deprecating humor as attention seekers. "Somebody might be using what sounds like humor, but what it's drawing from us is sympathy," Natalie Dattilo, clinical psychologist, explains. "It may also be a little off-putting on the receivers."

Self-deprecation also thrives in some cultures more than in others. Dattilo points out that in the Western world, where individualism is the norm, we look for relatability and approachability in people. A person being vulnerable and using self-deprecating jokes is therefore almost instantly more relatable.

However, in other cultures, self-deprecating humor can be different. In societies where there's an emphasis on community, making fun of yourself isn't as frowned upon as it may sometimes be in the West. "It's the same way in which you'd would poke fun at your sibling," Dattilo says. "It's good-natured, and it's not meant to cause ill or harm."

Still, too much of a good thing can be bad. Sarcasm and mockery, especially when directed at yourself, should be done in moderation. Here are some signs a person is being too hard on themselves:

1. Downplaying efforts and successes;
2. Inability to take a compliment;
3. Thinking that being proud of your accomplishments makes you arrogant.

What are some ways to balance self-deprecation? Experts at Talkspace suggest these four strategies:

1. Learn to say 'thank you' and take credit for your hard work.
2. Don't encourage other people to use self-deprecating humor.
3. Leave self-deprecating jokes for interactions with family and friends, not at work.
4. Reframe your negative patterns through journaling.

Still, it's fun to poke fun at things and people from time to time, especially on the Internet. Don't forget to upvote your favorite posts in this list, Pandas! And if you'd like to see some more mockery, check out these funny posts mocking today's economy or these roasts of people in high society!