In the novel "the scarlet letter," hester was required to wear the letter "a" sewn to her dress wherever she went, alerting everyone to her sin of adultery. this deliberate effort to attach a negative meaning to a behavior is an example of

This deliberate effort to attach a negative meaning to a behavior is an example of "Shaming".

We can define shame as the extraordinary difficult inclination or experience of trusting we are defective and in this way unworthy of acknowledgment and having a place. In simple word it is disgrace.
Shaming words may never be overlooked, and disgracing others, however it might be compelling for conduct change, harms them and brings down us in their regard.

Apolitical machine ~ apex