Embarrassment is a self-conscious emotion that typically occurs when one evaluates themselves through the eyes of another. The current study examines the relationship between subjective experience...Show moreEmbarrassment is a self-conscious emotion that typically occurs when one evaluates themselves through the eyes of another. The current study examines the relationship between subjective experience of embarrassment and facial expression of embarrassment in children and adults. Specifically, it examined the differences in facial expressions of embarrassment between children (8-10-years old) and adults (18- 40-years old). It was expected that there would be a positive relationship between subjective experience and facial expression of embarrassment in both adults and children. Moreover, it was predicted that children would show more embarrassment in their facial expression than what adults would show. Participants were asked to do a social performance task, which consisted of singing a song. After they sang the song, participants were required to watch themselves. During this viewing phase, physiological measures and facial expression were recorded. Results showed no correlation between subjective experience and facial expressions of embarrassment for both children, and adults. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in facial expressions of embarrassment between children and adults. Future studies should focus on why this relationship between subjective experience and facial expression is found for basic emotions (such as anger and fear) and not for a self-conscious emotion such as embarrassment.Show less
