What are some examples of self-conscious emotions?

Self-conscious emotions are those that require self-reflection and an awareness of social standards and norms. They typically emerge in the context of social interactions and involve evaluations of oneself in relation to others. Examples include envy, pride, shame, guilt, doubt, and embarrassment, which all reflect a sense of self-evaluation based on social contexts.

Envy arises when one desires what another possesses, reflecting awareness of social comparison. Pride is the feeling of satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements or status, demonstrating an acknowledgment of personal merits relative to societal values. Shame and guilt are reactions to perceived failures or transgressions, highlighting an individual's concern for their reputation and the feelings of others. Doubt reflects uncertainty about oneself and one’s actions, which can also involve a social comparison. Embarrassment is a response to a social faux pas that signifies self-awareness in a potentially awkward situation.

These emotions are fundamentally linked to an understanding of oneself within a social framework, which makes them different from basic emotions such as fear or happiness that can occur without such self-reflective processes.