Answer :
Self-conscious emotions such as embarrassment, shame, and guilt typically emerge in children around 18 months to 2 years of age, as they develop self-awareness and begin to use personal pronouns. These emotions help them understand social interactions and performance within a group. Cultural factors also influence how these emotions are expressed and understood.
Emergence of Self-Conscious Emotions in Children
The development of self-conscious emotions, such as embarrassment, shame, and guilt, begins as children start to develop a sense of self. This typically occurs around the age of 18 months to 2 years. At this stage, children recognize themselves in mirrors and begin to use personal pronouns such as "me" and "mine," reflecting an emerging self-awareness. This self-awareness is fundamental for them to start experiencing self-conscious emotions, which are different from the basic emotions like happiness or fear that appear earlier in infancy. These self-conscious emotions provide feedback to the child about their social interactions and help them understand how they are performing within a group or society.
Individualistic and collective cultures also play a significant role in how children learn to express and understand these emotions. For example, in individualistic cultures, children might be encouraged to feel pride in their personal achievements, whereas in more collective cultures, they might be taught to avoid drawing attention to themselves to prevent feelings of embarrassment. Additionally, emotional development during early childhood is complex, with children sometimes exhibiting a mix of mature and immature emotional responses.
