Claim: People who are easily embarrassed tend to be more trustworthy and generous.
Is this true? If so, what sources back up this claim?
It’s true.
This claim was backed by a series of studies at UC Berkeley. Rob Willer, one of the co-authors of the study, summarized their findings.
“Embarrassment is one emotional signature of a person to whom you can entrust valuable resources. It’s part of the social glue that fosters trust and cooperation in everyday life.” A Berkeley doctoral student in psychology also noted, “Moderate levels of embarrassment are signs of virtue.”
Those who were more easily embarrassed were also reported to be more monogamous.
The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Researchers said that also want to study the opposite concept – whether those with extreme confidence lack trustworthiness.
Source
Easily embarrassed? Study finds people will trust you more (Yasmin Anwar, UC Berkeley News Center: September 28, 2011)
