Is embarrassment instinctive or learned?

Question

What I mean is, even back in the "caveman" days did people feel embarrassment? Or, like boredom, was it something that was created with modern civilization? If it's instinctive, what survival purpose did it serve? If it was created, when and how was it created?

Answer 1

Hello, just browsing and found your Q, its interesting, off the top of my head I'd say it was learned, have you ever watched very young children, they are never embarrassed, only when they are taught the mores of their culture are they then aware of certain things and become self-concious or embarrassed.

Answer 2

I think it is learned mostly. Children can run, play and act very silly in the middle of a store and never get embarrassed, they are such free spirits when they are young. As we get older and start caring about what other people think, that;s when we start getting embarrassed over things we do or say,

Answer 3

It was created to cover orifices that were considered dirty. I do not know why the top part was considered in this list though. Maybe anything that is remotely sexual (or associated with sexual growth) was also considered.
It is not instinctive. It is learned. Babies do not cover themselves. Had it been natural instinct, it would have been imbibed even without teaching.