In this video, you can see an example of what it looks like when a child abandons their self

to please, or not displease, an unhappy adult. It's subtle, but watch the child's shoulders come up and tighten, as she lowers the head, kind of squinching into herself. Often, our abdominal muscles will get tight to protect the sternum, an involuntary response.

Shame can also be a part of this fawning response.

She freezes from what she wants to do,

and she is careful not to displease the woman in the chair.