Negative Self-Conscious Emotions: Appraisals, Action Tendencies, and Labels

Abstract

Introduction: The present research focused on negative self-conscious emotions, examining the predictive utility of a set of appraisals and action tendencies as compared to emotion labels. Method: In two studies, participants were asked to recall multiple negative self-conscious emotional experiences, and rate each experience using the appraisals and action tendencies, as well as a set of emotion labels. Results: The data revealed that in each emotional experience, participants are likely to experience multiple appraisals, action tendencies, and negative self-conscious emotions simultaneously. Further, the use of appraisals and action tendencies (as opposed to emotion labels) demonstrated excellent utility in predicting a variety of outcomes indicative of psychopathology and psychological well-being (i.e., depression, social anxiety, meanness, relationship quality). Discussion: Implications for the conceptualization and assessment of negative self-conscious emotions are discussed.