Shame is a painful,
social emotion that can be seen as resulting "...from comparison of the
self's action with the
self's standards...". but which may equally stem from comparison of the self's state of being with the ideal social context's standard. Thus, shame may stem from volitional action or simply self-regard; no action by the shamed being is required: simply existing is enough. Both the comparison and standards are enabled by
socialization. Though usually considered an
emotion, shame may also variously be considered an
affect,
cognition,
state, or condition.