Abstract
To differentiate shame from shyness on the Differential Emotions Scale, the shame adjectives—ashamed, disgraced, humiliated—were distinguished from the shyness adjectives—shy, sheepish, bashful. The Differential Emotions Scale was completed by 127 males and 130 females for six randomly ordered emotions in life situations: shame, shyness, embarrassment, guilt, anxiety, and depression. In life situations, the situation of shame in comparison to shyness was more unpleasantly experienced with significantly higher elevations on shame, guilt, distress, anger, disgust, surprise, and contempt factors, and significantly lower levels on shyness, interest, embarrassment, and enjoyment factors. The rank-order correlation between the emotional profiles in the shame and shyness situations was inverse and nonsignificant. The experiences of shame and shyness occurred at significantly different intensities within life situations epitomizing shame, shyness, embarrassment, guilt, and depression. Some sex differences in emotional experience emerged. The results strongly supported the empirical proposition that shame and shyness can be differentiated on the Differential Emotions Scale and weakly supported the proposition that shame and shyness are different theoretical constructs within differential emotions theory.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bock, R. D., & Haggard, B. A. The use of multivariate analysis of variance in behavioral research. In D. K. Whitla (Ed.),Handbook of measurement and assessment in behavioral sciences. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1968.
Ekman, P., Friesen, W. V., & Ellsworth, P. C.Emotion in the human face: Guidelines for research and an integration of findings. New York: Pergamon Press, 1972.
Izard, C. E.The face of emotion. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1971.
Izard, C. E.Patterns of emotions: A new analysis of anxiety and depression. New York: Academic Press, 1972.
Izard, C. E.Human emotions. New York: Plenum Press, 1977.
Izard, C. E., Dougherty, F. E., Bloxom, B. M., & Kotsch, W. E.The differential emotions scale: A method of measuring the subjective experience of discrete emotions. Unpublished manuscript, Vanderbilt University, 1974.
Izard, C. E., & Tomkins, S. S. Affect and behavior: Anxiety as a negative affect. In C. D. Spielberger (Ed.),Anxiety and behavior. New York: Academic Press, 1966. Pp. 81–125.
Lewis, H. B.Shame and guilt in neurosis. New York: International Universities Press, 1971.
Lewis, H. B. Shame and depression and hysteria. In C. E. Izard (Ed.),Emotions in personality and psychopathology. New York: Plenum Press, 1979. Pp. 371–396. (a)
Lewis, H. B. Guilt in obsession and paranoia. In C. E. Izard (Ed.),Emotions in personality and psychopathology. New York: Plenum Press, 1979. Pp. 399–414. (b)
Lynd, H. M.On shame and the search for identity. New York: Science Editions, 1961.
Mosher, D. L. The meaning and measurement of guilt. In C. E. Izard (Ed.),Emotions in personality and psychopathology. New York: Plenum Press, 1979. Pp. 105–130.
Pilkonis, P. A., & Zimbardo, P. G. The personal and social dynamics of shyness. In C. E. Izard (Ed.),Emotions in personality and psychopathology. New York: Plenum Press, 1979. Pp. 122–160.
Sanathanan, L. Discriminant analysis. In D. J. Amick & H. J. Walberg (Eds.),Introductory multivariate analysis. Berkeley, California: McCutchen, 1975.
Tomkins, S. S.Affect, imagery, consciousness. Vol. 1. The positive affects. New York: Springer, 1962.
Tomkins, S. S.Affect, imagery, consciousness. Vol. 2, The negative affects. New York: Springer, 1963.
Tomkins, S. S., & McCarter, R. What and where are the primary affects? Some evidence for a theory.Perceptual and Motorskills 1964,18 119–158.
Zimbardo, P. G.Shyness. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1977.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mosher, D.L., White, B.B. On differentiating shame and shyness. Motiv Emot 5, 61–74 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993662
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993662