Saving face for Darwin: The functions and uses of embarrassment

In this article, we review diverse studies of the antecedents, facial displ ay, and social consequences of embarrassment. These studies indicate that e mbarrassment serves an appeasement function, reconciling social relations w hen they have gone awry. We then speculate about how embarrassment is elabo rated into more complex social interactions, such as teasing and flirtation . We conclude by raising questions about the blush and embarrassment that a wait empirical consideration.