Shame, or shame, is a basic human emotion, just like sadness or joy. In Christian and Muslim mythology, shame first appeared after Adam and Eve ate fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and became aware of their nakedness.
What is shame?
Shame, or shame, is a basic human emotion just like sadness or joy. From a psychological point of view, shame is closely intertwined with one’s own moral dispositions acquired through socialization. It is triggered in individuals in two different ways. On the one hand, shame can be evoked by the actions or words of another person. Examples of this foreign-initiated feeling of discomfort or embarrassment include insults that strike a person at a very private and sensitive point. Shaming actions by a third party can also cross personal boundaries. Very often these actions are related to the sexuality or sexual self-image of the person concerned. The second category of shame is more related to one’s own thoughts or actions and the knowledge that they are to be considered embarrassing. The feeling of shame that arises can be considered an acquired emotion or even self-regulation. As part of this self-regulation, one’s own body or even one’s own thoughts are often considered to be occupied by shame.
Function and task
Feeling shame is a very powerful human emotion. Although the moment of embarrassment is highly unpleasant for the people involved and for those around them, from a sociological point of view, the feeling of shame has many advantages. It marks the boundaries of a society and ensures that they are not crossed. In most societies, for example, the possession of private property is considered a personal right. Theft is considered an invasion of another’s personal space, and for this reason is subject to shame. The fear of shame alone ensures that many people refuse to steal, even though they cannot explain this rationally. Also the so-called Fremdschämen, i.e. the shame for the behavior of other people, can be regarded in principle as positive. In order to feel shame for another person, perhaps a complete stranger, a certain degree of empathy is necessary. Only when the other person is perceived as human or as an equal is it possible to put oneself in their position. Stranger shame demonstrates compassion and ensures that individual members of a society guarantee the implementation of rules and moral disguises. Moreover, people who are quick to feel shame are perceived as emotional and empathetic. People who rarely feel shame, on the other hand, have a reputation for being callous and selfish. And philosophy is also concerned with the positive, social significance of shame. The French existentialist Jean Paul Sartre, for example, views shame as a process of cognition. Only in situations, which are occupied with shame, it becomes clear that humans are formed and defined above all by the view and the opinions of their fellow men. The existence of shame shows that the members of a society are interdependent and also affect other people through their actions.
Diseases and ailments
Despite the positive effects of shame, an excess of shame can also make people sick. The mild physical effects of shame are familiar and common to everyone. Heart palpitations, sweating, and increased blood pressure are immediate effects of what is perceived as embarrassment that usually pass quickly. An overly strong sense of shame, however, can severely affect an individual’s quality of life. Basically, a pronounced feeling of shame goes hand in hand with an inferiority complex. People who feel shame in many situations are afraid of being rejected. They have difficulty accepting criticism or facing unfamiliar situations because failure and mistakes are closely associated with shame. In some cases, this fear can lead to what is called avoidance compulsion. Potentially embarrassing situations are avoided whenever possible and one’s event horizon is severely limited. A common example of avoidance compulsion is the feeling of shame when speaking. This often manifests itself in extreme shyness, which can lead to social isolation and associated depression.Shame for one’s own body can also take on pathological features. If it is perceived as too fat, too thin or simply not conforming to the norm, feelings of shame arise that sometimes lead to eating disorders or sports addiction. Instead of focusing on the “embarrassment” of one’s own body, however, it makes more sense for those affected to get to the bottom of the psychological side of shame. Also, the permanent experience of shame can be related to feelings of guilt. In some cases, the constant focus on these negative emotions results in obsessive thoughts that make experiencing a normal everyday life an impossibility. A very serious issue is the experience of shame related to sexuality. For example, many people feel embarrassed to use condoms because they do not want to be observed buying the contraceptive. Sexual diseases are also often seen as a reason for feeling ashamed. For this reason, those affected avoid the necessary visit to the doctor and risk serious, health-related consequences. Even in the case of sexual assault or, in the worst case, rape, many affected people keep what they have experienced a secret. They fear being put in an embarrassing situation and accept physical consequences such as STDs or an unwanted pregnancy and psychological illnesses that can arise as a result of the trauma.
