Is Public Shaming an effective form of punishment?
In recent years, as technology has become more advanced and accessible, there has been a growing trend of people publicly shaming others for behavior they consider to be inappropriate. Videos, screenshots of texts, photos of Facebook posts, all this and more can be fodder for viral shaming content. Both adults and children can be the person posting (the ‘broadcaster’) and the person who is the subject of the material (the ‘target’). The broadcaster may be the victim of the target’s inappropriate behavior (e.g. they filmed the target while the target was harassing them), or they may be a witness to it.
On the one hand, technology and the internet have provided new platforms for those who feel victimized to have a voice; the success of movements such as #metoo and #timesup demonstrate this. On the other hand, before you post any “public shaming” material, you should ask yourself these 4 questions:
1. What is my goal?
Ask yourself honestly: what do I want to get out of this? Am I looking to get revenge? To get this person fired? To rally support around my cause? To warn others of this person’s behavior? To regain a sense of control in a situation where we feel powerless? To shine light on a larger issue? Once you understand your goal, you can determine whether public shaming will actually help you achieve this goal, or if there are more helpful alternatives.
2. Will this be effective in stopping the behavior I don’t like?!
The short answer is probably not. Research suggests that public shaming, unsurprisingly, generates a sense of shame: a negative view of oneself as a person (“I am a bad person”). Unless this is quickly resolved, shame has been associated with anger, hostility, depression, and substance abuse; shame can actually lead the person to behave even worse. Instead, what we want is for the person to feel guiltyabout what they did: “I did a bad thing, but I am still a good person”. Guilt is associated with empathy, and can motivate a person to want to change their behavior and rectify the situation.
3. Can I control the outcome?
The short answer is no. Once something is posted publicly, especially online, you have no control over who accesses it and how that information is treated. There have been devastating cases of people losing their job (both the broadcaster and the target) or committing suicide, because of material that was posted online. If you are not willing to accept the possible consequences, then you should not be posting publicly.
4. How would I react if this happened to me?
We need to be careful that our sense of righteousness and justice does not turn us into a bully ourselves. Bullying is doing something with the intent to cause harm to another person(s).Think about a time where you did something that you now regret. How would you react if someone posted that online (or on other public domains) for all to see?
You are more likely to get a more positive and constructive response dealing with the matter privately. This may include showing the material to relevant people (e.g., school administrators, HR department) or authorities (e.g., the police), as well as speaking with the person directly.
Dr. Kirin discussed this topic as a guest on Dubai Eye’s The Agenda on 7th March 2018 – you can listen to the podcast here: Click here
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
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Psycho-oncology
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CBT
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Psychometric Assessments
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Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
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Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
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Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
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Mood disorders
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Anxiety disorders
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Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
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MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
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ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
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ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
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BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
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CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
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At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
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Anxiety disorders
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Substance use disorders
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Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
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Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
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Personality disorders
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Cognitive disorders including Dementia
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Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
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Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
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disorders and ADHD