Which emotional experience is characterized by feelings of inadequacy due to comparisons with others?

The emotional experience characterized by feelings of inadequacy due to comparisons with others is shame. Shame often arises when individuals perceive themselves as falling short of societal or personal standards, leading to a profound sense of unworthiness. This feeling can be amplified when one compares their own abilities, achievements, or circumstances to those of others, resulting in a belief that they are not measuring up.

In contrast, jealousy involves a fear of losing something significant to another person, typically in the context of relationships. Guilt is associated with the recognition of having done something wrong or harmful to others, focusing more on specific actions rather than self-worth. Vulnerability, while related to emotional exposure, does not inherently stem from inadequacy or comparison with others; instead, it reflects the openness to emotional experiences, which can include feelings of insecurity but are not specifically tied to those comparisons. Therefore, shame is the most directly linked to the feelings of inadequacy stemming from such comparisons with others.