What is the primary purpose of shaming in a social context?

The primary purpose of shaming in a social context is to invoke condemnation and social pressure. Shaming serves as a mechanism for social control, as it leverages collective disapproval to enforce societal norms and expectations. By stigmatizing certain behaviors, it aims to deter individuals from acting in ways that are deemed unacceptable by the community. This process often seeks to provoke a reaction from the individual being shamed, ideally prompting them to conform to societal standards to alleviate the social pressure they experience.

While building community support, fostering empathy, or encouraging open dialogue may occur in various social contexts, these objectives do not align with the inherent purpose of shaming. Shaming is inherently about disciplining behavior through social condemnation, rather than promoting understanding or constructive conversation.