The difference between William Shatner (ironically or unintentionally) singing badly and American Idol’s penchant for showing ordinary people singing badly is huge. I got to where I couldn’t watch American Idol because of empathic embarrassment.
Paul Paul C Bernhardt Associate Professor of Psychology Frostburg State University pcbernhardt☞frostburg.edu<http://frostburg.edu> On Feb 15, 2015, at 2:20 PM, Jonathan Mueller <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: That was awesome! Of course, nowadays late night tv often has B-, C-, and D-grade actors come on and read something dramatically as humor. But I believe poor William did think he was creating high art. However, given his level of success I don't really feel embarrassed for him as I would someone else doing that. Research? Again, for a non-celebrity I would consider this some poor self-monitoring. But a celebrity is insulated with those around him telling him what a great idea this is. So, Shatner may be oblivious to the social awkwardness of it for different reasons than a non-celebrity. Sorry, I have to go watch that again. Jon >>> "Jeffry Ricker, Ph.D." >>> <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> >>> 02/15/15 12:07 PM >>> Hi all, The question in the subject line is concerned with situations in which the other person is not embarrassed at all by behavior that, for observers, is cringe-inducing. The best example I can think of is this clip of William Shatner "singing" Rocket Man in 1978 (I've been unable to watch more than the first 25 seconds): https://www.dropbox.com/s/6ivimx2lu2kybiy/William%20Shatner%20Rocket%20Man.mp4?dl=0 The concept of empathy doesn't seem relevant: we typically feel empathy for another when they are experiencing a negative response (emotion or physical pain) that we understand all too well. In this case, the person we're observing, and feeling embarrassed for, seems oblivious to the social awkwardness of their behavior. Does anyone know of any research on my question? Best, Jeff -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffry Ricker, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottsdale Community College 9000 E. Chaparral Road Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626 Office: SB-123 Phone: (480) 423-6213 Fax: (480) 423-6298 --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13269.01f6211e00cc8f00a7b68e8e24b1b4d6&n=T&l=tips&o=42066 (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) or send a blank email to leave-42066-13269.01f6211e00cc8f00a7b68e8e24b1b...@fsulist.frostburg.edu<mailto:leave-42066-13269.01f6211e00cc8f00a7b68e8e24b1b...@fsulist.frostburg.edu> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=1989792.4335dcd8aae84aca9a8bb2e89f646286&n=T&l=tips&o=42068 (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) or send a blank email to leave-42068-1989792.4335dcd8aae84aca9a8bb2e89f646...@fsulist.frostburg.edu<mailto:leave-42068-1989792.4335dcd8aae84aca9a8bb2e89f646...@fsulist.frostburg.edu> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=42071 or send a blank email to leave-42071-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
