Shame

Shame is a self-conscious, unpleasant emotion felt when someone believes he has failed to meet social standards, viewing himself as globally and inherently flawed or unworthy. This cognitive-affective response often results in negative self-judgments and a desire to hide or withdraw. Shame can lead to counterproductive or harmful behaviours such as rumination, avoidance, and submission. Non-verbal cues include a downward gaze, slumped shoulders, and attempts to physically conceal oneself.

In modern societies, the typical experiences of shame are both individual and social, as they involve a perceived failure to meet the values central to one’s social identity. Mikko Salmela, Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen and an expert in philosophy of emotions argues that contemporary neoliberal societies foster feelings of insecurity, powerlessness, and worthlessness, along with fears of losing status and established living standards. This environment cultivates actual or anticipatory shame, both in the workplace and other areas of social life that have embraced a competitive mindset.

In politics, those experiencing shame may withdraw from public life. When someone witnesses a moral violation, they may expect others to display shame. If this is absent, shaming often occurs—a process intended to make someone else feel morally wrong. Shaming involves public accusations and aims to damage the reputation of the targeted individual, positioning the accuser as morally superior. This practice stigmatises the target of shaming, labelling him as an outcast and separating him from the group’s moral community. Common shaming tactics include sarcasm, ridicule, and expressions of disgust.

Politics offers many examples of public shaming, a strategy aimed at discrediting opponents. Think of the politicians trying to convince citizens that the representatives of the opposing camp are shameful and, therefore, morally unacceptable to vote for.

FURTHER READING

Fussi, A., & Rodogno, R. (Eds.). (2023). The Moral Psychology of Shame. Rowman & Littlefield International.

Harris, N., & Maruna, S. (2007). Shame, shaming and restorative justice: A critical appraisal. In Sullivan, D., & Tifft, L. (Eds.), Handbook of restorative justice (pp. 452-462). Routledge.

Lewis, M. (2000). Self-conscious emotions: Embarrassment, pride, shame, and guilt. In Lewis, M and Haviland-Jones, J.M. (Eds.), Handbook of emotions. (pp. 623-636). Guilford Press.

Norlock, K. J. (2017). Online shaming. Social Philosophy Today, 33, 187-197.

Salmela, M. (2019). Shame and its political consequences in the age of neoliberalism. In C. Mun (Ed.), Interdisciplinary perspectives on shame: Methods, theories, norms, cultures, and politics (pp. 177-196). Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield.

Scheff, T. J. (2003). Shame in self and society. Symbolic Interaction, 26(2), 239-262.

Sullivan, G. B., & Day, C. (2019). Collective Emotions in Celebratory, Competitive, and Conflictual Contexts: Exploring the Dynamic Relations between Group-Based and Collective Pride and Shame. Emotions: History, Culture, Society, 3(2), 202-222. https://doi.org/10.1163/2208522X-02010057

Szabó, G., & Kiss, B. (2023). Unpacking shame management in politics: Strategies for evoking and steps to mitigate the feeling of shame. Political Research Exchange, 5(1).