Self-Defeating Humor Test: Are You The Punchline?

Is your humor hurting your self-esteem?

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: March 19, 2026

The Self-Defeating Humor Test is designed to explore how you use comedy in your daily interactions and whether it serves as a mask for underlying insecurities. While being able to laugh at oneself is often seen as a strength, relying on self-deprecation to gain approval can negatively impact your emotional health. This assessment helps you identify if your humor style is self-defeating rather than self-enhancing. For a broader look at your self-perception, you might also consider taking our Impostor Syndrome Scale.

Take The Self-Defeating Humor Test

For each statement, indicate how much you agree. For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. In my social circle, I often seem to be the target of other people's jokes or teasing.

2. I frequently allow others to joke at my expense or mock me more than I probably should.

3. I often get carried away with criticizing myself if it makes my friends or family laugh.

4. I tend to highlight my own flaws or blunders in a funny way to get people to accept me.

5. I frequently make jokes that disparage or belittle myself.

6. When trying to be funny, I often go too far in putting myself down.

7. I often use humor to cover up my problems or unhappiness so that others don't know how I really feel.

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

First Name

Age

Gender

Region

References

Inspired by work by Martin, R. A., Puhlik-Doris, P., Larsen, G., Gray, J., & Weir, K. (2003). Individual differences in uses of humor and their relation to psychological well-being: Development of the Humor Styles Questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality, 37(1), 48–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00534-2

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this scale take?
It takes a few minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?
Yes, all responses are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?
Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.

Self-Defeating Humor Test: Are You The Punchline?

Take The Self-Defeating Humor Test

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

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