Embarrassment, humiliation and transparency: The shy subject and his/her dependence on the gaze

Abstract

Embarrassment, humiliation and transparency: The shy subject and his/her dependence on the gaze. The main goal of this article is to examine shy individuals and their troublesome experiences concerning gaze. A clinic psychoanalytical research on social anxiety disordered patients (social phobia) revealed that shame in this context is also endured as embarrassment, humiliation and psychic transparency. This work suggests that they carry a frail narcissistic development and therefore are unable to protect their psychological inner selves. Features of embarrassment, humiliation and psychic transparency can be found through various clinical examples. Additionally, the recent analysis on shame implies a new individual scope in contemporary society.