The science of cringe comedy

Humans are wired to function in societies. We are highly sensitive to emotions like shame, embarrassment, and cringe.

Cringe comedy seems to exploit that awareness. We may enjoy it because it simulate unusual social situations and we witness the consequences without having to experience them. In this way, cringe comedy may strengthen a kind of defence mechanism against the cringe of our own lives. Those who experience greater degrees of cringe are more empathetic.