Final answer:
John Morreall suggests that laughing at oneself helps create distance and view oneself more objectively, which is a healthy form of self-reflection and is not inherently negative or unethical.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to John Morreall's perspective on humor and laughter, option 2 is the accurate interpretation: It helps us disengage and view ourselves more objectively. Laughing at oneself is not necessarily indicative of self-esteem issues, self-centeredness, or an ethical violation. Instead, it can act as a healthy form of self-reflection and emotional distance. By laughing at ourselves, we are able to see our own mistakes and foibles in a less critical light, which can be a sign of emotional resilience and perspective.
Self-deprecating humor has been recognized as a way to acknowledge one's own imperfections without letting them define us. It allows us to share a common humanity with others, as humor often involves the recognition that everyone makes mistakes. Through laughter, we might be able to forgive ourselves and others more easily, facilitating social bonding and personal well-being.