Shame and Humiliation

Abstract

This paper is a discussion of shame and humiliation that goes beyond individualistic perspectives, offering a broader, relational analysis of these profound and complex experiences. In addition to defining and examining the harmful consequences of various forms of derision and degradation, the authors explore clinical encounters with shame and humiliation, present a case, and describe relational practices that can transform shame and humiliation into opportunities for growth and greater connection.

A Relational Conceptualization of Shame and Humiliation Linda Hartling, Ph.D.

While most of us can think of at least one occasion in which we felt shamed or humiliated, in many instances these types of experiences are difficult to identify, difficult to acknowledge, and difficult to express. To recount experiences of shame or humiliation, we risk revisiting painful images of being devalued, disempowered, or disgraced, perhaps triggering or reinforcing further feelings of shame. Yet, below...