SHAME AND SOCIAL PHOBIA - A TRANSCULTURAL VIEWPOINT

Shame is given different meanings in various cultural contexts. In Jap an, shame-prone and self-effacing behavior tends to be given positive functional value and is actively promoted by society. In the United St ates, society tends to prohibit such shame-prone behavior and the show of one's vulnerability, while encouraging the visible demonstration o f one's power and capacity. The author shows that these different mean ings given to shame reflect different values of secretiveness in these two societies. He concludes by suggesting an alternative view of sham e that encourages flexibility rather than an exclusively positive or n egative value of secretiveness.