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Shame is a complex experience with powerful and often deeply uncomfortable emotional effects. It is a relational event, arising from a person’s concern about public judgment or disapproval of behaviors that violate that person’s, or his/her culture’s, value system. This concern of public scrutiny can, and often does, lead to socially beneficial outcomes.

Public shaming may be seen as justifiable, whether it be through bully shaming, child shaming, or even dog shaming. Social media has risen to be the most prevalent medium in which to shame others. Judges, schools, parents, and others use it as a consequence to punish behavior; however, there may be additional side effects from using shame.