What is the reason for such a crippling reaction to uncomfortable social interactions?
EDIT: Thank for the replies so far, I am more wondering from an animal behaviour perspective. Starting to get the sense it is a form of social preservation because you can dissociate yourself from the bad thing.
In: Biology
If you did something awkward or socially unacceptable, you might be an outcast or kicked out of the tribe. Kicked out of the tribe? No food, no protection, no mating. You die, and so does your bloodline. Cringing is a conditioned survival response.
Same reason it’s so devastating for a child to feel like their parent doesn’t Love them. We’ve evolved to see that as a threat to survival
Source: my parents don’t love me
Edit: in response to your edit, I think most of the same principles apply to animals. I don’t think an animal that doesn’t rely on others of its species to survive would have as much of a cringe response
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