These emotions can be perceived as pro-social, and some say they can be seen as motives for following socially and culturally acceptable behavior.
[10] Furthermore, vicarious embarrassment can be experienced even when the observer is completely isolated.
[15][16] Other, less severe symptoms may include cringing, looking away, or general discomfort.
Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another and is considered a highly reinforcing emotion to promote selflessness, prosocial behavior,[14] and group emotion, whereas a lack of empathy is related to antisocial behavior.
[21] Projection is considered a normal and common process in everyday life.
The undesirable emotion is experienced in another person, and the observer projects what they interpret as the appropriate response onto themselves.