Self-consciousness, self-focused attention, blushing propensity and fear of blushing

Although it is generally assumed that attentional focus is an important factor in blushing, thus far studies have presented conflicting results concerning the relationship between aspects of blushing and indices of attentional focus. This study investigated the connection between self-focused attention and self-consciousness on the one hand and blushing propensity, fear of blushing and blushing frequency on the other hand. Public self-consciousness correlated slightly with blushing propensity and fear of blushing, whereas no correlation between private self-consciousness and aspects of blushing was found. A substantial correlation was found between self-focused attention and both blushing propensity and fear of blushing. After partialling out blushing propensity and fear of blushing, blushing frequency was unrelated to public self-consciousness and self-focused attention. Blushing propensity and self-focused attention directed to one's arousal were significant predictors of fear of blushing. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.