Understanding the Behavioral Responses Corresponding with the Emotions Guilt and Shame

Despite the fact that the moral emotions guilt and shame seem similar, research has shown that there are important differences between them. Guilt produces negative feelings about an external event, such as one’s actions, whereas shame produces negative internal feelings about oneself (Dearing & Tangney, 2003). This distinction has potentially important behavioral consequences, yet little research has tested how the two emotions influence real behavior. This project addresses this gap by investigating the influences of shame and guilt on behavior of real consequence. Results will give greater insight into the nuances differentiating guilt from shame and the practical consequences of the emotions related to interpersonal decision making.