35 Questions
Which term describes the self-conscious emotion that relates to feeling bad or inadequate as a person?
Shame
What is the primary function of guilt according to the text?
Motivates repair of harm caused
How does shame differ from guilt based on the text?
Shame refers to the self; Guilt refers to the behaviours
What is a common characteristic of self-conscious emotions like shame and guilt?
They relate to the self and one's behavior
How is shame typically defined in psychology compared to general English usage?
Feeling bad or inadequate as a person
What was Helen Block Lewis influential in distinguishing between?
Shame and guilt
Which emotion is more specific in its referent according to the text?
Guilt
What type of failures are linked more to guilt rather than shame?
Moral failures
Which emotion is more connected to public exposure according to Smith et al. (2002)?
Shame
In Tangney's self-report research with young US adults, which type of failures can be linked to shame?
Poor performance on a task
Which emotion has been rated as more intense and involving a greater sense of moral transgression compared to embarrassment?
Shame
In the context of embarrassment, which element is highlighted as involving a greater sense of surprise?
Sense of exposure
According to the studies mentioned, when is shame more likely to occur?
For public moral transgressions
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic that differentiates shame and guilt from embarrassment?
Sense of humor
What is the act of causing another person to feel shame, usually by criticizing them in public known as?
Shaming
What is the main difference between acute shame or guilt and chronic shame or guilt?
Acute shame or guilt is of short duration, while chronic shame or guilt is stable and enduring.
Why do shame and guilt generally co-occur according to the text?
Because people experience both emotions in response to harm or wrongdoing.
How is chronic shame and/or guilt typically assessed according to the text?
By assessing their reactions to hypothetical situations involving harm or wrongdoing.
What does the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA) measure?
Proneness to shame and guilt.
How can one assess whether participants feel shame or guilt using the information provided?
By measuring how much they endorse each reaction to harm or wrongdoing.
In the context of de Hooge et al.'s research, how are proselfs influenced by acute shame compared to prosocials?
Proselfs are more likely to cooperate if the other person knows of the shameful experience, but not if they do not.
How does acute shame affect people's behavior according to Leach and Sidam (2015)?
Motivates behavior that aims to restore a positive self-image threatened by failure.
What is the key difference between proselfs and prosocials in terms of their response to acute shame?
Prosocials tend to act prosocially regardless of feeling shame, unlike proselfs.
What motivates individuals to act prosocially according to the text?
The desire to improve one's tarnished social image.
How does acute shame differ from chronic shame based on the information provided?
Acute shame is short-lived and can have positive effects, while chronic shame is long-lasting and has detrimental impacts.
Acute shame has negative effects when individuals perceive their own failures as irreparable.
False
Proselfs are more affected by shame and are less likely to cooperate with others who know about their shameful experience.
False
Prosocials are generally unaffected by shame in terms of cooperation with others.
True
Acute shame can motivate individuals to act prosocially in order to restore a positive self-image.
True
Imagined shame has been found to have a similar impact on behavior as experienced shame.
False
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Nonconscious shame in family interactions (Scheff) = Ongoing conflict caused by unacknowledged shame Mutual shaming in married couples (Lewis) = Interaction styles involving subtle or indirect shaming Attack-counterattack pattern in family dynamics = Subtle or indirect attacks leading to aggressive behavior Indirect communication in family settings = Lack of direct expression of feelings
Match the following terms with their implications in clinical settings:
Diagnosis of nonconscious shame by a third party observer = Perspective of a wise clinical psychologist Feelings of shame leading to harmful outcomes = Unacknowledged shame causing conflicts Cycle of shame and aggression in family interactions = Repetitive pattern of attack-counterattack Lack of awareness about shaming behaviors in families = People not recognizing the attack-counterattack pattern
Match the following emotions with their characteristics:
Shame followed by anger and aggression = Cycle involving attack and counterattack Anger leading to aggressive behavior in response to shame = Intent to harm after feeling ashamed Shameful behavior followed by aggression = Cyclical pattern in family dynamics Aggressive behavior arising from feeling ashamed = Consequence of nonconscious shame
Match the following concepts with their effects:
Subtle or indirect attacks leading to explicit blaming = Mutual shaming among family members Feelings of shame triggering aggressive responses = Cycle of aggression resulting from unacknowledged shame Unacknowledged shame causing harm in family interactions = Negative outcomes from lack of awareness about shaming behaviors Indirect communication patterns reinforcing cycle of shame and aggression = Communication style perpetuating attack-counterattack pattern
Match the following dynamics with their consequences:
Shaming interactions between family members = Mutual feelings of shame and anger Attack-counterattack pattern leading to aggressive behavior = Cycle perpetuating harmful outcomes Unacknowledged shame causing ongoing conflicts = Harmful effects on family relationships Lack of awareness about shaming patterns reinforcing aggression = Indirect communication exacerbating cycle of shame
Study Notes
Shame vs. Guilt: Distinction
- Shame encompasses the whole of ourselves, making it a very uncomfortable emotion.
- Guilt is a more specific emotion, focusing on a particular action or behavior, and is a less severe emotion than shame.
Shame and Guilt: Research
- Helen Block Lewis, a clinical psychologist, drew a conceptual distinction between shame and guilt.
- June Tangney and colleagues initiated contemporary empirical research on shame and guilt.
Situational Determinants
- Guilt is linked to moral failures (e.g., lying, cheating, infidelity, not helping others).
- Shame can be linked to both moral and non-moral failures, including poor performance, socially inappropriate behavior, and hurting someone emotionally.
Public Exposure
- Shame is more linked to public exposure than guilt.
- Study 1: Participants perceived individuals as feeling more shame when committing a public vs. private moral transgression.
Impact of Shame vs. Guilt
- "Shame-free" guilt is not associated with negative states (depression, psychopathology) and is associated with fewer reported negative behaviors.
- "Guilt-free" shame is associated with negative states and more reported negative behaviors (self-reported aggression and drug use).
Adaptive Emotion
- Acute guilt about an event supports forgiveness seeking.
- Forgiveness seeking includes apologizing, reconciliation, making amends, and admitting to faults or weaknesses.
- Guilt that is followed by repair or a resolution to not transgress again is referred to as “good” guilt.
Benefits of Guilt
- Guilt leads to wanting to repair the harm that was done, which is beneficial for the other person, the relationship, and the guilty individual.
- Showing guilt can signal reduced status and show that you care, creating equity and balance in relationships.
Explore the findings of multiple studies regarding the impact of public exposure on feelings of shame and guilt. Learn about differences in rated shame and guilt based on public versus private settings, as well as the use of these emotions in fictional writing.
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