[siggy24uk]

I have research the psychological meaning and difference between these two terms. The text books seem to define them so;-

Embarrassment is a feeling of self-conciousness which occurs when you have broken some cultural norm and have been seen (others know you've done it) to do so by peers (people of at least equal status).

For example, you are seen naked in your back garden by the neigbours (embarrassment) your not suppose to be naked in your back garden.

Your seen naked by a neigbour in your bathroom, you don't feel embarrassed because you can be naked in your bathroom.

Humiliation is the feeling of revulsion or anger experienced when your norms are violated by others. For example, your norm is to shower in your bathroom, you look out your window and you see your teenage neigbour leering at you.

Now obviously the feeling of embaraasment is determined by your culture. being seen topless on the beach by starngers isn't embarassing. Being seen naked walking down the shoping mall is.

But been forced against your own norms to lie toples on the beach is humiliating. You'd feel anger towards the person forcing you.

Interestingly i have not found any research on ENF in the literature. It tends to refer to embarassment such as spilling drinks, getting names wrong etc, social embarassments. Humiliations, tends to refer to torture or sexual offences. So perhaps we need to do some research on such things as being locked out nude, being seen by neigbours, streaking etc.