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Embarrassment, facework, and eye contact: Testing a theory of embarrassment

Embarrassment, facework, and eye contact: Testing a theory of embarrassment Derived 4 hypotheses from a theoretical framework which views embarrassment as a feeling of inadequacy precipitated by the belief that one's presented self appears deficient to others: (a) embarrassment can occur only in the presence of others; (b) it can be attenuated by a knowledge that one's demeanor is not as deficient as it appears to others; (c) it is associated with decreased eye contact; and (d) it is associated with efforts to improve one's presented self through facework. These hypotheses were tested via an experimental design that caused Ss either to succeed or to fail, in public or private, on their portion of a group task. 92 male undergraduates served as Ss. Results generally support Hypothesis 1, but indicate that a mild form of private embarrassment can occur in the anticipated presence of others. Hypothesis 2 could not be tested due to a partial failure of the experimental manipulations, although this failure, itself, has implications for the viability of the hypothesis. Hypothesis 3 received apparent support, but further analysis suggests that embarrassed Ss reduced their eye contact with another group member primarily because they resented his criticism of their poor performance. Hypothesis 4 is clearly supported. (19 ref.) http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Personality and Social Psychology American Psychological Association

Embarrassment, facework, and eye contact: Testing a theory of embarrassment

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Publisher
American Psychological Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1971 American Psychological Association
ISSN
0022-3514
eISSN
1939-1315
DOI
10.1037/h0030460
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Derived 4 hypotheses from a theoretical framework which views embarrassment as a feeling of inadequacy precipitated by the belief that one's presented self appears deficient to others: (a) embarrassment can occur only in the presence of others; (b) it can be attenuated by a knowledge that one's demeanor is not as deficient as it appears to others; (c) it is associated with decreased eye contact; and (d) it is associated with efforts to improve one's presented self through facework. These hypotheses were tested via an experimental design that caused Ss either to succeed or to fail, in public or private, on their portion of a group task. 92 male undergraduates served as Ss. Results generally support Hypothesis 1, but indicate that a mild form of private embarrassment can occur in the anticipated presence of others. Hypothesis 2 could not be tested due to a partial failure of the experimental manipulations, although this failure, itself, has implications for the viability of the hypothesis. Hypothesis 3 received apparent support, but further analysis suggests that embarrassed Ss reduced their eye contact with another group member primarily because they resented his criticism of their poor performance. Hypothesis 4 is clearly supported. (19 ref.)

Journal

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology – American Psychological Association

Published: Jan 1, 1971

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