The Psychological Significance of the Blush

The blush is a ubiquitous yet little understood phenomenon which can be triggered by a number of self-conscious emotions such as shame, embarrassment, shyness, pride and guilt. The field of psychology has seen a recent surge in the research of such emotions, yet blushing remains a relatively neglected area. This unique volume brings together leading researchers from a variety of disciplines to review emerging research on the blush, discussing in depth issues that have arisen and stimulating new theorizing to indicate future directions for research. Topics covered include: the psychophysiology of the blush; developmental aspects; measurement issues; its evolutionary significance and the role of similar colour signals in the social life of other species; its relation to embarrassment, shame and social anxiety; and the rationale for, and clinical trials of, interventions to help people suffering from blushing phobia.

1. The study of the blush: Darwin and after W. Ray Crozier and Peter J. de Jong; Part I. The Nature of the Blush: 2. Psychophysiology of the blush Peter D. Drummond; 3. Measurement of the blush Ruth Cooper and Alexander L. Gerlach; Part II. Theoretical Perspectives on the Blush: 4. Psychological theories of blushing Mark R. Leary and Kaitlin Toner; 5. Colours of the face: a comparative glance Jan A. R. A. M. van Hooff; 6. Self-conscious emotional development Hedy Stegge; 7. A biosocial perspective on embarrassment Ryan S. Darby and Christine R. Harris; 8. The affective neuroscience of human social anxiety Vladimir Miskovic and Louis A. Schmidt; Part III. The Blush in Social Interaction: 9. The interactive origins and outcomes of embarrassment Rowland S. Miller; 10. Performing the blush: a dramaturgical perspective Susie Scott; 11. Blushing and the private self W. Ray Crozier; 12. Signal value and interpersonal implications of the blush Peter J. de Jong and Corine Dijk; Part IV. Blushing Problems: Processes and Interventions: 13. Red, hot and scared: mechanisms underlying fear of blushing Corine Dijk and Peter J. de Jong; 14. Psychological interventions for fear of blushing Michelle C. Capozzoli, Imke J. J. Vonk, Susan M. Bögels and Stefan G. Hofmann; 15. Psychological aspects of rosacea Peter D. Drummond and Daphne Su; Conclusions: 16. Conclusions, what we don't know and future directions for research W. Ray Crozier and Peter J. de Jong.

W. Ray Crozier is Honorary Professor in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University.
Peter J. de Jong is Professor of Experimental Psychopathology and Chair of Clinical Psychology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.