Shame: quick facts
Shame is a painful self-conscious emotion that arises when a person judges their whole self as flawed, inadequate, or unworthy. Unlike guilt, which focuses on a specific action, shame targets the self — the sense of…
Category
Complex & secondary emotions
Valence
Negative
Emotion family / blend
Self-conscious
Typical triggers
Perceived failure, exposure of flaws, falling short of standards, being judged
How it's expressed
Lowered head, shrinking posture, avoided eye contact, hidden face
Sources: American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions; Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.