häpeä

Häpeä is Finnish for the emotion commonly translated as shame. In psychology, shame is a social emotion that arises when a person perceives that they have violated social norms or moral standards, producing a negative evaluation of the self. It differs from guilt, which centers on a specific action rather than the whole self; the two emotions can occur together.

Triggers include real or imagined judgment by others, exposure of a private failure, or self-appraisal of inadequacy. Symptoms often involve self-criticism, a desire to hide or withdraw, reduced eye contact, and physiological signs such as blushing.

Shame serves social functions, helping to enforce norms and promote conformity. However, excessive or chronic shame can contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and may impair self-esteem and social involvement.

Cultural and contextual factors influence häpeä. In some cultures, face-saving and collective norms heighten sensitivity to shame; in others, there is more emphasis on individual rights and private emotions. Personal resilience, supportive relationships, and compassionate responses can reduce harmful effects.

In psychology and therapy, approaches that address shame include cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, and self-compassion-based techniques that separate the self from a single fault and encourage repair of social ties.