The product of a complex set of cognitive activities resulting in a negative emotional state linked to feelings of unworthiness of self, produced by the awareness that one acted dishonorably or foolishly, and heightened by the presence of potential judgments from others. It involves the evaluation of an individual’s actions in regard to her standards, rules, and goals, and her global evaluation of the self. The phenomenological experience of the person having shame is that of a wish to hide, disappear, or die. Shame is a highly negative and painful state that also results in the disruption of ongoing behavior, confusion in thought, and an inability to speak. The physical action accompanying shame includes a shrinking of the body, as though to disappear from the eye of the self or the other. This emotional state is so intense and has such a devastating effect on the self system that individuals presented with such a state must attempt to rid themselves of it. However, since shame represents a global attack on the self, people have great difficulty in dissipating this emotion. Individuals do take specific actions when shamed by which they try to undo the state.
See Emotion, Emotional development, Hubris, Narcissism, Pride, Self