Predictors, Elicitors, and Concomitants of Social Blushing

As blushing diffuses the likelihood of negative evaluations (and, thus, potential rejection) when an individual's status in a valued group is in jeopardy, people who are particularly concerned with others' evaluations and with their social relationships should be prone to blush. The Blushing Propensity scale, a battery of personality measures, and a questionnaire about blushing were completed by 225 Ss. The frequency with which Ss reported blushing correlated most strongly with measures that reflect people's concerns with how they are regarded by others. Four predictors (embarrassability, interaction anxiousness, self-esteem, and refinement) accounted for 40% of the variance in blushing propensity scores. A factor analysis showed that 2 distinct but correlated factors accounted for situations that elicit blushing. Finally, the predominant physical and psychological concomitants of blushing were described.

Duke Scholars

Author Mark R. Leary Psychology & Neuroscience