Lecture 2 Emotions:
Social Emotions:
Guilt vs Shame:
Tangney et al (1992)- is one of these emotions more socially functional than the
other? The purpose of this particular study was to examine the relation of guilt
and shame to anger and aggression. Anger and aggression are sometimes
dysfunctional to the extent that they involve hostility.
o Argue that guilt is makes you detach the behaviour from the self. Not
normally something they would do. Thus in guilt, behaviour is evaluated
somewhat apart from the self. It motivates a desire to apologise or make
amends.
o Argue that the object of concern is shame is the entire self. The ‘bad thing’ is
experienced as a reflection of a ‘bad self’. The entire self is painfully
scrutinised and negatively evaluated. Motivates a desire to hide, and
disappear from view. Shame may motivate anger- why?
o One might first feel angry and then feel ashamed about feeling angry-
irrational anger.
o However, might first feel shame and then feel angry that those who are seen
as disapproving and rejecting of the self.
o Argue that the second sequence is more common- self-defence/self
protection mechanism, but is counterproductive. At some level we know that
being angry at other people about the fact that feel ashamed is unreasonable.
If first feel shamed, then angry, then realise anger is unjustified, then feel
shameful again.
o Used an individual differences methodology. Interested in differences
between people- are some more guilt prone than others? And some more
shame prone than others?
Tangey et al. cont. (Study 2):
o Used 2 measures; the Self-Conscious Affect and Attribution Inventory
(SCAAI) and Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA), which has become a
standard individual differences measure of guilt and shame proneness.
o TOSCA- consists of 15 scenarios (10 negative 5 positive) drawn from
personal accounts of shame, guilt and pride experiences. Autobiographical
accounts made by Americans. Participants asked to chose which of the
reactions to the scenarios are most like how they would respond.
o Found that there was a correlation between shame proneness and
externalisation of blame, but not a relationship between guilt proneness and
externalisation of blame. **check discussion board to see if you get an
explanation for this.
o Also used the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) Subscales. Found
significant correlations between measures of shame proneness and
measures of hostility, and no correlations between guilt proneness and
hostility. Supporting their claim that shame can lead to anger and hostility
more than guilt.
o Conclusions: the fact that shame proneness relates to anger arousal,
suspiciousness, resentment, irritability, a tendency to blame others for
negative events and indirect expressions of hostility. But NOT related to
Social Emotions:
Guilt vs Shame:
Tangney et al (1992)- is one of these emotions more socially functional than the
other? The purpose of this particular study was to examine the relation of guilt
and shame to anger and aggression. Anger and aggression are sometimes
dysfunctional to the extent that they involve hostility.
o Argue that guilt is makes you detach the behaviour from the self. Not
normally something they would do. Thus in guilt, behaviour is evaluated
somewhat apart from the self. It motivates a desire to apologise or make
amends.
o Argue that the object of concern is shame is the entire self. The ‘bad thing’ is
experienced as a reflection of a ‘bad self’. The entire self is painfully
scrutinised and negatively evaluated. Motivates a desire to hide, and
disappear from view. Shame may motivate anger- why?
o One might first feel angry and then feel ashamed about feeling angry-
irrational anger.
o However, might first feel shame and then feel angry that those who are seen
as disapproving and rejecting of the self.
o Argue that the second sequence is more common- self-defence/self
protection mechanism, but is counterproductive. At some level we know that
being angry at other people about the fact that feel ashamed is unreasonable.
If first feel shamed, then angry, then realise anger is unjustified, then feel
shameful again.
o Used an individual differences methodology. Interested in differences
between people- are some more guilt prone than others? And some more
shame prone than others?
Tangey et al. cont. (Study 2):
o Used 2 measures; the Self-Conscious Affect and Attribution Inventory
(SCAAI) and Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA), which has become a
standard individual differences measure of guilt and shame proneness.
o TOSCA- consists of 15 scenarios (10 negative 5 positive) drawn from
personal accounts of shame, guilt and pride experiences. Autobiographical
accounts made by Americans. Participants asked to chose which of the
reactions to the scenarios are most like how they would respond.
o Found that there was a correlation between shame proneness and
externalisation of blame, but not a relationship between guilt proneness and
externalisation of blame. **check discussion board to see if you get an
explanation for this.
o Also used the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) Subscales. Found
significant correlations between measures of shame proneness and
measures of hostility, and no correlations between guilt proneness and
hostility. Supporting their claim that shame can lead to anger and hostility
more than guilt.
o Conclusions: the fact that shame proneness relates to anger arousal,
suspiciousness, resentment, irritability, a tendency to blame others for
negative events and indirect expressions of hostility. But NOT related to
