Self-Conscious Emotions - Research Paper Example

Self-conscious Emotions Self-conscious emotions play a pivotal role in self-control of an individual. Emotions such as pride and guilt can enable us to learn how a child reacts to his or her short sighted or immediate desires. Apparently, a child can respond either well or poorly. Self-conscious expresses itself in different emotions such as guilt, pride, embarrassment, and shame. These emotions are responsible for one’s self-consciousness owing to their relationship with the self-sense and his or her reaction to others (Hofmann and Fisher 1).

Studies show that children begin to develop self-conciseness at the age of two. At this age, a child begins to understand that she is an entity with distinct qualities. There is an underlying cognitive awareness in a child that is responsible for this abrupt and qualitative ability. Besides, the expectations from the society and adults also promote self-conscious emotions in a child. Embarrassing signs begin to manifest in a child at about 15 to 24 months of age when he or she becomes the center of attention.

Such signs might include blushing, covering the face with hands, and lowering the eyes (Hofmann and Fisher 2). Conversely, the emotion of pride manifests itself in a child through smiles. This comes about when the child overcomes a new challenge such as making their first step (Hofmann and Fisher 1). The self-conscious emotion of shame and guilt are distinct in a child, contrary to popular belief that they are interrelated. In guilt, a child tends to share other people’s remorse, and the feeling of empathy.

He or she will also regret past behavior and feel the urge to reverse the consequences that accrue from the behavior. However, the magnitude of guilt increases as the child grows. Work Cited Hofmann, Wilhelm and Rachel R Fisher. " How Guilt and Pride Shape Subsequent Self- Control." Social Psychological and Personality Science (2012): 1-9.