social
Embarrassment
Confidence · high
A brief, acute self-conscious state following a minor breach of social expectation.
I just violated a social expectation, and people noticed.
01
Overview
Typical triggers
- ·Tripping in public
- ·Saying the wrong thing
- ·Being caught unprepared
Common metaphors
- “Face on fire”
- “Want to crawl under the table”
02
Body
- faceSudden blush, warmth in cheeks
- skinHeat spreading to neck and ears
Sympathetic — mobilization
Arousal4/5
Energy3/5
- Heart rate
- Spikes briefly
- Breathing
- Quick inhale, nervous laugh
03
Mind
Attention
On self being observed
Facial expression
Gaze averted, controlled smile, head turn — Keltner's classic embarrassment display
Typical thoughts
- “They saw that”
- “I want to laugh it off and leave”
04
Behavior
- Looking away, covering face
- Nervous laughter
- Self-deprecating joke
Environmental influences
Public settings · Status-sensitive groups
05
Function
Signals 'I know I broke a norm' which appeases observers and restores standing.
06
Interventions
- Smile and breathe — the blush peaks in ~15 seconds
- Acknowledge it lightly; humor heals
- Move on physically — change of position helps
Reflection questions
- · Will this matter in a week?
- · What would make this kindly funny?
07
Relationships
RelatedNeighborOpposite
08
Research
Embarrassment has a distinct nonverbal display recognized cross-culturally (Keltner, 1995).
Citations
- · Keltner (1995). Signs of appeasement.