Question

Define self-conscious emotions and provide two examples. What are the two criteria necessary for children to experience self-conscious emotions? (Child Psych)

Answer 1

Definition of self-conscious emotions

Self-conscious emotions are those emotions that are reflected by our perception of self and others’ perception of us, while developing from an understanding of the society’s rules and standards.

Two Examples

Two examples of self-conscious emotions are jealousy and shame. Self-conscious emotions may be positive or negative, and they develop in children as a result of meeting the group or society’s goals and standards successfully or unsuccessfully.

Two criteria necessary for children to experience self-conscious emotions

It is critical that children experience the self-conscious emotions to behave normally in a group or society, as well as to live up to their own standards. However, the experience of these emotions by children depends on some criteria. Two of these criteria are following:

1. Children must have developed a sense of self. They should have had such experiences in the society that make them feel a specific self-conscious emotion. For example, a child who is shamed at school by peers for not displaying the right toilet training may experience the self-conscious emotion of shame or embarrassment when they have a sense of self.
2. Children should also have the capability of evaluating their own behavior. For example, a child may have certain experiences that may or may not match his/her expectations. If he/she is capable of evaluating what makes him/her successful or unsuccessful against those expectations, then they may experience a particular self-conscious emotion, whether it is shame, guilt, self-esteem, confidence, jealously or pride.