Saving Face for Darwin: The Functions and Uses of Embarrassment

In this article, we review di verse studies of the anteced ents, facial display, and social consequences of embarrass ment. These studies indicate that embarrassment serves an appeasement function, recon ciling social relations when they have gone awry. We then speculate about how embar rassment is elaborated into more complex social interac tions, such as teasing and flir tation. We conclude by raising questions about the blush and embarrassment that await em pirical consideration.